Ranking of the Ten Greatest Kabaddi Players Ever
Top Indian Kabaddi Players Shine in Pro Kabaddi League and International Competitions
The world of Kabaddi has been graced by some exceptional talents, particularly from India, who have left an indelible mark on the sport with their exceptional skills and achievements in both international competitions and the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Here are ten of the most notable players in Kabaddi history.
- Rakesh Kumar
- Vice-captain of the Indian team that won the 2007 Kabaddi World Cup gold.
- Multiple gold medalist at World Cups (2004, 2007), Asian Games (2006, 2010, 2014), South Asian Games, and Asian Indoor Games.
- Arjuna Award recipient (2011).
- Notable PKL player and later coach of Haryana Steelers.
- Pardeep Narwal ("The Dubki King")
- Four-time gold medalist for India including the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup, 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship, and 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters.
- Holds the record for over 1800 raid points in PKL, with 88 Super 10s and 82 super raids, making him one of the greatest raiders in PKL history.
- Pawan Sehrawat ("Hi-Flyer")
- Current captain of the Indian national team.
- Led India to gold in the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship and the 2022 Asian Games.
- Arjuna Awardee in 2023.
- Over 1318 raid points in PKL with 70 Super 10s and 44 Super raids.
- Mohit Chillar
- Renowned defender and all-rounder, notable at national and PKL levels.
- Sandeep Narwal
- Known for his versatility as an all-rounder for Team India.
- Holds the record for the most super tackles of all time (29) in the PKL. He was the first player to reach 1,000 points in the PKL.
- Manjeet Chillar
- Celebrated for aggressive defense and raiding, contributing significantly in international competitions and PKL.
- Deepak Niwas Hooda
- Captain of the Indian team and known for his leadership and raiding prowess.
- Rahul Chaudhary
- Star raider in PKL and a key performer for India.
- Ajay Thakur
- Former captain of India, led the team to various international successes including the Kabaddi World Cup.
- Anup Kumar
- Former captain known for tactical intelligence and all-round skills; led India to many international victories and successful PKL seasons.
These players have shaped Kabaddi through world championship wins, Asian Games golds, PKL records, and prestigious national awards like the Arjuna Award. Their impact spans from grassroots to professional leagues, making them iconic figures in Kabaddi history.
Notable performances in the PKL include Pardeep Narwal, who holds several records including the most successful raids, the most super 10s, and the most points scored. Pawan Sehrawat, currently playing for Tamil Thalaivas, scored 282 points in the PKL's sixth season, including 22 points in the Bulls' finals victory. Sandeep Narwal, a player for UP Yoddha, has the most super tackles of all time (29) in the PKL. Rahul Chaudhari, a player for Jaipur Pink Panthers, is one of Kabaddi's most dangerous raiders and is the only player to have played in every PKL season to date.
The PKL has also seen significant trades, such as Sehrawat being traded from the Bulls to Tamil Thalaivas for a record fee of ₹2.26 crore. Maninder Singh, captain of the Bengal Warriors, has the second-highest points total ever (1,126) in the PKL. Fazel Atrachali, a defender for Puneri Paltan, is the only non-Indian player to make this list and has the most successful tackles of all time (379) in the PKL, having been awarded the Best Defender Title on two occasions and is the only player to have ever achieved 400 tackle points.
These players continue to push the boundaries of Kabaddi, inspiring a new generation of players and ensuring the sport's continued growth and success.
- One can often find insightful analysis and commentary on the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and the exploits of its top players, such as Pardeep Narwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Sandeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhary, Ajay Thakur, and Fazel Atrachali, on various sports blogs.
- Interested fans of Kabaddi can also follow the important events and updates in the PKL by checking casino websites that offer sports betting options, as many of these platforms provide news, live scores, and statistics for the league.
