Busan: India maintained its stranglehold on Kabaddi and won its fourth successive Asian Games gold medal with a 37-7 drubbing of Pakistan on Monday in the last league match, which was marred by a minor exchange of words between the two arch-rivals.

India, which won the kabaddi gold at every Asian Games since the event made its debut in 1990, had no difficulty in prevailing over Pakistan in its first meeting in three years.

Pakistan had to settle for bronze while the silver was claimed by Bangladesh.

Dominating throughout, India led 23-4 at the half time and did not offer any chance to its opponents in the second half also where it gained 14 points compared to three by Pakistan.

The first half saw tempers flare-up between the players of the two countries who gathered at the centre of the court and exchanged a few words. The incident occurred when Pakistan's Muhammad Latif pushed Ramesh Kumar of India after conceding a point.

However, the matter did not go out of control and normalcy was soon restored as Latif apologised to the Indians.

PTI