Guwahati, Feb. 15: Favourites India lived up to their number one billing in kabaddi, defeating archrival Pakistan in a tense gold medal match of the 12th South Asian Games here this evening.

The hosts, led by captain Anup Kumar, kept their nerves till the end to win by a narrow margin of two points.

The final scoreline read 9-7 in favour of India.

The match was tantalisingly poised at half time with the score locked at 5-5 as both the teams played it safe with the idea of not conceding easy points.

In the second half, it was India who drew first blood to move up three points within the first eight minutes with aggressive raids led by the maverick raider Anup, who also leads the U Mumba team in the Pro Kabaddi league.

India led 9-5 after the Pakistan raider, Abrar Khan, was brought down in the opposition zone.

However, Pakistan, despite not having the numbers struck back with two quick points.

As time ticked, the Indians adopted a cautious approach with the rivals in striking distance to upset the applecart. However, the experience and dexterity of captain Anup prevailed to see India through in the dying minutes.

A packed partisan crowd backed India till the very end, shouting slogans like Jeetega to jeetega Hindustan jeetega...

The stadium erupted in joy as the speakers belted out Jai Ho and Chak de India! Young and the old stood up to cheer the Indians as they ran two laps of honour with the Tricolour flying high, both inside the arena and in the stands.

The triumphant women's team, which earlier drubbed Bangladesh 36-12 for the gold, was also there, cheering the men's team. Among the women was an elated Hasina Begum from Assam who got a chance to play after teammate

Payel Choudhury got injured.