The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 is nearing its epic finale, and for the host nation England, emotions are running high. For the first time, the tournament is being held outside of Asia – and now, England’s men’s team will face off against defending champions India in the finals on March 23 in Wolverhampton.
With a growing fan base and rising media attention, kabaddi is hitting new heights in the UK – and the players are embracing the moment.
🇬🇧 Hardeep “Harry” Singh: “We’re Here to Win It”
England captain Hardeep Singh, who hails from Wolverhampton, is living a dream. Not only is he representing his country on home turf, he’s leading them into their first-ever World Cup final.
“Not many people get the opportunity to play a World Cup in their own country—let alone in their home town,” Singh told The Sun. “We want to show other countries that England’s here to win it and we’re not just here to participate.”
That local pride is giving England a psychological edge.
“Once you have home advantage, then you have to go for the win. Hopefully we can bring it home now!”
🆚 Facing India: “We’ve Got a Good Chance”
England’s semifinal performance was nothing short of dominant – thrashing Scotland 84-36 – but Singh knows the real test lies ahead.
“The only team I’d say we’re worried about is India. But I think we have got a good chance,” he admitted. India remains the powerhouse of kabaddi, and are clear favourites going into the final – but Singh believes in his squad.
With India keeping their squad and tactics close to the chest, Singh added:
“Everyone’s keeping their cards close to their chests… If you know somebody’s game, you can try to counteract it in defence or in raid.”
💼 Kabaddi and Day Jobs
Like many on the England squad, Singh balances his kabaddi dreams with a day job. He works as a medical sales representative, and had to take time off work to play in the tournament.
“I’ve had to use five days of annual leave to play,” he said. “I usually train twice a day — mornings before work and evenings after.”
This kind of sacrifice shows just how much this final means to the England side.
🏟️ Growing the Game in the UK
Beyond lifting the trophy, Singh has a bigger vision – using this tournament to grow kabaddi across the UK.
“We want to showcase the sport to the youth… If we can inspire even a few more kids to get involved, it’ll be worth it.”
There’s even talk of kabaddi pushing for a spot in the Commonwealth Games, and England’s strong showing could be the perfect launchpad.
🎲 Betting Angle – Is England Worth the Punt?
From a gambling perspective, India is the clear favourite – but England’s form and home support make them a tempting underdog. The momentum is real, and a close final is on the cards.
📌 If you’re looking to back England’s historic run or bet on final outcomes like raid points or total score, check out our partner Stake for the latest kabaddi odds and offers.
🔥 Final Word
With national pride, personal sacrifice, and crowd energy behind them, England’s kabaddi team has a golden chance to make history. As Singh puts it:
“We can’t wait… Fingers crossed the stadium will be rocking.”
Whether you’re a lifelong kabaddi fan or just discovering the game, Sunday’s India vs. England final is one you don’t want to miss.
📅 Final: March 23, Wolverhampton
📺 Watch live on TalkSPORT YouTube
👉 Feeling lucky? Bet on the final at Stake.com.
