2016 World Cup Kabaddi: Raiders and tacklers who guided India into semifinals

The group stages of the 2016 World Cup Kabaddi are over and the four top teams are ready to raid in the semifinals of the premier tournament which shall be played out on Friday evening at the TransStadia, Ahmedabad.

Defending champions India goes into the semis as a strong title contender and would take on Thailand in the second semifinals scheduled on Friday evening.

India's Road to the Semis:

The defending champions dint get off to the best possible start after being handed a defeat by the speedy South Koreans in their opening encounter. The Indians brought back their campaign on track by registering impressive victories over Australia, Argentina and Bangladesh.

It has been an all-round performance by team India with their skipper Anup Kumar leading from the front. Star raiders Anup Kumar, Pradeep Narwal and Rahul Chaudhari have been among the top raiders in the group stages of the competition.

The raiders have showcased tremendous athletic ability by outwitting the opposition's defence with their skill and speed. The raiders have been in sublime form by securing a plethora of  points for the team. The defence with strong tacklers in Manjeet Chillar, Surender Nadda and Surjeet look to be a well knit with deep understanding between the tacklers to thwart most of the opposition raids.

Here is a look at the players who have been in sublime form in spearheading India's march into the semifinals.

2016 Kabaddi World Cup: Top Indian raiders

The Indian raiders, Anup Kumar, Rahul Chaudhari and Pradeep Narwal wreaked the oppostion's defence in the group stages by scoring a plethora of points.

2016 Kabaddi World Cup: Top Indian tacklers

Star defenders Manjit Chillar, Surender Nadda and Surjeet strung like a wall to thwart opponent's attacks all through the group stages