The 23-year-old will make his first appearance for India at a major international multi-sport event when the men\u2019s kabaddi team begins its campaign against hosts Japan on September 21.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dalal, who finished as the second-highest-scoring raider in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 with 271 raid points, said being selected for the Asian Games has increased his responsibility but insisted that he does not want to carry expectations as pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is my first time going to the Asian Games. I am happy for myself, my family and my coach. I am happy for everyone. Now that I am going, my responsibilities have increased. I will have to bring gold for India. If India has chosen me, I will have to do it,\u201d Dalal said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The youngster believes the expectations associated with playing for India should be treated as a responsibility rather than pressure, saying a player cannot perform freely if he becomes overwhelmed by the occasion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to take pressure. Pressure and responsibility are two different things. Here, there is only responsibility, not pressure. We don\u2019t believe that pressure is a thing. If you take pressure, you won\u2019t be able to play. If you don\u2019t play, how will India win? We will play without pressure and win,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India, placed in Group A, will face the Republic of Korea on September 22, Bangladesh on September 23 and Chinese Taipei on September 24. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 25, while the gold medal match will be played on September 26.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Experienced all-rounder Aslam Inamdar, who was part of India\u2019s gold-medal-winning side at the 2022 Asian Games, also backed the current squad to perform well, pointing to the strong understanding among the players developed through the PKL and national camps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere is a very good bonding with the team. Because all of them are our stars. They are the captains of every team in PKL. We had a very good experience in PKL. They had a very good game in PKL. There is a good bonding with the Indian team,\u201d Inamdar said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Inamdar also stressed the importance of experienced players helping the younger members adapt to the demands of international kabaddi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere is a very good bonding with the team. Because all of them are our stars. They are the captains of every team in PKL. We had a very good experience in PKL. They had a very good game in PKL. There is a good bonding with the Indian team,\u201d Inamdar said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will be led by Sunil Kumar and also have Pawan Sehrawat, Ankit Jaglan, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwal, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri and Sumit Sangwan in the squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n