Highlights, Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018, India vs Kenya, Match 4 at Dubai: Monu, Rishank shine in India's facile victory

Here’s the post-match press conference of the India-Kenya match

FT: India 48-19 Kenya

Emphatic win for India. Rishank Devadiga and Monu Goyat the star of the show

India sit pretty at top of Group A with 10 points. India play Pakistan next on 25 June

And that’s it

India beat Kenya 48-19. It was a clinical performance from the Ajay Thakur-led side. Kenya showed flashes of brilliance but it wasn’t enough in front of a rampaging Indian side that found two new stars today in the form of Rishank Devadiga and Monu Goyat

IND 47-17 KEN

Rishank! What a way to mark your first start for your country. A super raid to put Kenya on the cusp of an all out again. A super 10 on full debut. What a player!

IND 42-14 KEN

Sandeep Narwal’s raiding style excites the crowd. However it doesn’t end well for the Indian all-rounder as he is tackled. Sandeep is an entertainer wherever he plays.

Final four minutes of play

IND 37-12 KEN

Wow! Monu Goyat almost wipes off Kenya in a single raid. He seemed doomed with a heap of Kenyan players over him, but he somehow gets his right foot over the line

BTW, here’s what India national kabaddi team’s captain Ajay Thakur said about Firstpost. 

Aap Captain ki baat toh sunenge na_?_ 

Namma Tamil Thalaivas captain sonnadhu kaepeenga dhaane 

[You’ll follow what the captain says, right?]

HT! IND 27-9 KEN 

It’s been a walk in the park for India. Rishank Devadiga, Deepak Hoods have been excellent. Ajay Thakur hasn’t been at his scoring best but has allowed the in-form Devadiga to take the lead in raiding. Good half from India.

IND 25-9 KEN

Rishank Devadiga and Monu Goyat are doing their hopes of getting into the first team a world of good. 

Meanwhile, Raju Lal Chaudhary who has not been very impressive is replaced by Mohit Chhillar

IND 17-9 KEN

Deepak Niwas Hooda is such a utility player for India. He is primarily in as a defender but is among the top raiders in the game. With India down to three men, Deepak Hooda gets a crucial raid point to put India back on track.

IND 14-7 KEN

Kenya have slowly upped their aggression and they seem to be getting into the groove. Indian defenders are making a few mistakes now

IND 7-3 KEN

🇮🇳 7-3 🇰🇪

Kenya showing signs of life. Monu Goyat is tackled and it's a super tackle. India lead 7-3 but Kenya avoid an all out#KabaddiMastersDubai2018

LIVE: https://t.co/tUJwsXmFrh #indvken

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 23, 2018

IND 2-0 KEN

Indian raiders are off to a good start as captain Ajay Thakur and Monu Goyat pick points with their very first raids

Here’s Firstpost correspondent Kaushal Shukla LIVE from the Al Wasl Sports Club, Dubai, previewing Match No 4 between India and Kenya

Well, the next big match is on now. Both Indian and Kenyan teams are out on the mat

It ends 54-24! Good late surge from Argentina but to be fair Iran had taken the foot off the gas. Still, plenty for the South Americans to take from it. Iran in strong position in Group B with two wins out of two.

India vs Kenya up next!

IRN 52-17 ARG 

Iran just getting a tad carried away. Giving away sloppy points. The Asians are down to three men. Can Argentina bag an all out?

IRN 38-7 ARG

Argentina try to urge the crowd to back them. Unfortunately, all they get is ‘Brazil Brazil’ chants. It’s never good time to be Argentina when their football team is not doing well

TEAM NEWS! 

Srinivas Reddy rings in the changes. Four new names in the Indian line-up for the game against Kenya. Sandeep Narwal, Rishank Devadiga, Monu Goyat and Girish Ernak all start. Pardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari, Surender Nada and Surjeet drop to the bench. Still no place for Manjeet Chhillar.

Devadiga, Goyat make their first start for India. Girish Ernak makes his national debut

IRN 23-6 ARG

 What a moment that was! Emad sends five Argentinian players out of the mat with a brilliant super raid that helps Iran inflict the second all-out to their opponents in a span of just a few minutes. Iran on a roll now.

Indian team are on the sidelines following the opening match of the day 

IRN 3-3 ARG

Argentina open the scoring. Brilliant defence. A fine moment for the South Americans. 

It’s 3-0! Gabriel Sacchi told me that Argentina have a plan and are not here to make up the numbers. So far so good. Dream start for Argentina. 

Iran catch up immediately to level the scores

The teams are out. Iran heavy favourites here, but Argentina have nothing to lose

It is time for the opening match of the day between Iran and Argentina. Mohammad Ghorbani leads a new-look Iran against newcomers Argentina

A very young Iran team. No Meraj Sheykh, no Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mohajermighani but this side showed why kabaddi isn’t about individuals. A fine defensive display helped them floor South Korea 35-20 in their opening game yesterday. On that evidence, Iran are expected to challenge India for the title. A well-coached side that can give anyone a run for their money.

On the other hand, Argentina are kabaddi rookies, they do have the experience of playing the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. Captain Rafael Acevedo is among several players to have featured in Ahmadabad. 

They promised to put up a much better show in this competition, so let’s see what have they got

While the match 4 will be between India and Kenya, the experienced Iran take on newcomers Argentina in Match No 3 that will kickstart Day 2’s proceedings at the Al Wasl Sports Club, Dubai

India are coming off a convincing 36-20 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament opener on Friday. Here’s the match report by Kaushal Shukla

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of Day 2 of the Kabaddi Masters Dubai. In the opening match of the day, Iran take on Argentina, followed by tournament favourites India taking on Kenya