BEST KABADDI PLAYER IN INDIA

Invented in the last century, the sport of Kabaddi is one of the most favored team contact games in India, which is becoming more and more popular with each tournament. Perhaps you have not even heard of this sport, but we are sure that you will definitely be interested in its uniqueness. Kabaddi is rapidly raising the sports spirit of the Indians on a par with cricket. Thanks to the media and celebrities, the old sport has returned to the present and is gaining a bunch of new fans from all over the continent. Many Kabaddi players can show their talents through events such as the Pro Kabaddi League and inspire others to take up Kabaddi professionally. In this article, you will learn about the ten most gifted players who took Kabaddi to a new level and made a real revolution in it.

Famous Indian Kabaddi Players

Anup Kumar

This famous Kabaddi player of India is called the “God of Kabaddi” and this is confirmed by at least three gold medals that he brought to India as a team captain. A fleeting infatuation with Kabaddi in his youth led him to professional sports. The star striker is distinguished by his touch of the toes, which has become his hallmark. Anup Kumar retired from Kabaddi as a player 4 years ago and is now coaching in the professional Kabaddi league.

Lifetime Career Stats:

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	91	Matches Played	91
Total Raids	1348	Main Tackles	250
Raid Points	523	Tackle Points	102
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	40.25	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	40.25
Avg. Out Rate (%)	16.26	Avg. Out Rate (%)	50.33
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	39.35	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	50.87
Effective Points	325	Avg. Success Assists (%)	20

International Career Stats:

Tournaments	Medals
2010 Asian Games	Gold
2014 Asian Games	Gold
2016 Kabaddi World Cup	Gold
2016 South Asian Games	Gold

Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates)

The League’s best raider from Haryana is regarded as one of the most successful young players in the history of Kabaddi India with the most points. As a member of the Indian National Kabaddi team since 2016, he has won three out of four gold medals in international competitions. ‘Dubki King of the Patna Pirates also became the most valuable player in the auction and was awarded the title of “Best Raider 2017” and “Best Raider 2018”.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	113	Matches Played	113
Total Raids	1989	Main Tackles	19
Raid Points	1190	Tackle Points	7
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	53.18	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	49.77
Avg. Out Rate (%)	25.84	Avg. Out Rate (%)	48.44
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	54.97	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	16.67
Effective Points	773	Avg. Success Assists (%)	4

International Career Stats:

Tournaments	Medals
2016 Kabaddi World Cup	Gold
2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship	Gold
2018 Asian Games	Bronze
2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters	Gold
2019 South Asian Games	Gold

Rahul Chaudhari (Tamil Thalaivas)

Rahul Chaudhari started his career in the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League with the Telugu Elephants as a defender and then rose to become a raider. This skillful player was named “the best Indian Kabaddi player in the world” in 2016, and it is not surprising because he started practicing Kabaddi at the age of 13. In addition to becoming one of the sport’s top stars, he became the second player to reach 1,000 points with a career average of 79.79 percent thanks to his recognizable hand touch while running.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	128	Matches Played	128
Total Raids	2114	Main Tackles	311
Raid Points	997	Tackle Points	97
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	47.3	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	45.07
Avg. Out Rate (%)	21.86	Avg. Out Rate (%)	68
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	46.2	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	40.15
Effective Points	585	Avg. Success Assists (%)	18

International Career Stats:

Tournaments	Medals
2016 Kabaddi World Cup	Gold
2016 South Asian Games	Gold
2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters	Gold
2018 Asian Games	Bronze

Deepak Niwas Hooda (Jaipur Pink Panthers)

Deepak Niwas Huda is one of the most famous captains in the history of Kabaddi. Despite a difficult childhood, the player achieved impressive results and got the right to represent India at grandiose championships such as the South Asian Games 2016, the Asian Games 2014 and the Asian Kabaddi Championship where he won gold. In his career, this all-rounder has over 940 points, 1765 raids, and 231 tackles in the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	129	Matches Played	129
Total Raids	1800	Main Tackles	308
Raid Points	867	Tackle Points	128
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	50.48	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	49.58
Avg. Out Rate (%)	21.4	Avg. Out Rate (%)	66.01
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	47.65	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	55
Effective Points	556	Avg. Success Assists (%)	23

International Career Stats:

Tournaments	Medals
2016 Kabaddi World Cup	Gold
2016 South Asian Games	Gold
2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship	Gold
2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters	Gold
2018 Asian Games	Bronze
2019 South Asian Games	Gold

Sandeep Narwal (U Mumba)

The career of one of the Kabaddi best players in India, Sandeep Narwal, the son of the former most talented raider Pardeep Narwal, was not easy, but now can be considered an example for every young Kabaddi athlete. He is appreciated and distinguished for his aggressive style of play and incredible agility. During the period of his development, this player has grown into the best all-rounder in Kabaddi. Sandeep Narwal has become a legendary defender for the Patna Pirates.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	130	Matches Played	130
Total Raids	776	Main Tackles	605
Raid Points	271	Tackle Points	294
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	51.19	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	52.84
Avg. Out Rate (%)	21.57	Avg. Out Rate (%)	48.23
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	39.32	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	54.64
Effective Points	159	Avg. Success Assists (%)	76

International Career Stats:

Tournaments	Medals
2016 Kabaddi World Cup	Gold
2016 South Asian Games	Gold
2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters	Gold
2018 Asian Games	Bronze

Ajay Thakur (Tamil Thalaivas)

“King of Kabaddi” Ajay Thakur represented his homeland of India seven times, where his team won six gold and one bronze medal. The Raider Champion is a born leader who leads his team to victory more than once with his talent and Kabaddi prowess. The player received more than 800 points during his sports career and played more than 110 matches.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	120	Matches Played	120
Total Raids	1691	Main Tackles	204
Raid Points	797	Tackle Points	78
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	44.37	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	43.1
Avg. Out Rate (%)	23.93	Avg. Out Rate (%)	56.1
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	46.1	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	31.95
Effective Points	414	Avg. Success Assists (%)	12

International Career Stats:

Tournaments	Medals
2007 Asian Indoor Games	Gold
2013 Asian and Martial Arts Games	Gold
2014 Asian Games	Gold
2016 Kabaddi World Cup	Gold
2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship	Gold
2018 Asian Games	Bronze
2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters	Gold

Pawan Sehrawat (Bengaluru Bulls)

At 24 years old, Pawan Sehrawat can already be called a famous Indian Kabaddi player. This young athlete immediately showed his talent in his debut season, where he scored 45 raid points. Bengaluru Bulls honored him as MVP in 2018 and 2019. India’s top Kabaddi player, Sehravat holds two notable achievements – most raid points (39) in a single PKL match and most raid points (22) in a PKL final game. The player is developing his skills with great speed and will undoubtedly continue to delight the fans with his successes.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	95	Matches Played	95
Total Raids	1244	Main Tackles	112
Raid Points	895	Tackle Points	51
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	47.56	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	47.21
Avg. Out Rate (%)	33.32	Avg. Out Rate (%)	53.65
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	70.15	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	52.4
Effective Points	593	Avg. Success Assists (%)	35

International Career Stats:

Tournament	Medal
2019 South Asian Games	Gold

Naveen Kumar (Dabang Delhi K.C.)

Young and promising raider Kumar is another famous Kabaddi player in India who takes the sport to a whole other level. In his sixth season, he became the first player born in the 21st century to play in the VIVO pro Kabaddi league. The running hand touch he developed during his career enabled him to become the youngest best player in Kabaddi to reach 300 raid points in a single campaign and the second-youngest player to reach Super 10.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	62	Matches Played	62
Total Raids	575	Main Tackles	450
Raid Points	680	Tackle Points	294
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	41.19	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	42.84
Avg. Out Rate (%)	21.57	Avg. Out Rate (%)	48.23
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	39.32	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	54.64
Effective Points	159	Avg. Success Assists (%)	76

Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba)

If you think that only Indians can be successful Kabaddi players, then you are wrong because there is one player from Iran on our list – Fazel Atrachali. The deadly defender is known for his trademark arm movement, which he uses to incapacitate an opponent. You will definitely pay attention to this player while watching the match. He is not only one of the best left corner defenders in the game, but he also played a major role in his team winning the Asian Games 2018 gold medal. Fazel Atrachali earned 82 tackling points as a defender last season to earn the title of the best defender.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	125	Matches Played	125
Total Raids	1369	Main Tackles	345
Raid Points	797	Tackle Points	368
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	44.37	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	43.1
Avg. Out Rate (%)	23.93	Avg. Out Rate (%)	56.1
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	46.1	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	31.95
Effective Points	414	Avg. Success Assists (%)	12

Rishank Devadiga (UP Yoddha)

Our top 10 is completed by the most powerful raider VIVO pro-Kabaddi Rishank Devadiga. This uncompromising player impressed both U Mumba and UP Yoddha during seven seasons in which he earned 671 points. He has already accumulated 1328 raids with 624 raid points on his game account, and the number continues to grow! His aggressive play and purposeful nature only move him up.

Lifetime Career Stats

Raiding Career	Statistics	Tackling Career	Statistics
Matches Played	122	Matches Played	122
Total Raids	1328	Main Tackles	308
Raid Points	624	Tackle Points	128
Avg. Time on Mat (%)	50.48	Avg. Time on Mat (%)	49.58
Avg. Out Rate (%)	21.4	Avg. Out Rate (%)	66.01
Avg. Strike Rate (%)	47.65	Avg. Strike Rate (%)	55
Effective Points	556	Avg. Success Assists (%)	23

Varoun

Kabaddi is quite an exotic game that has yet to enter the world level. But she has already gathered the most talented and strongest players who show impressive abilities of human strength and dexterity.

In this article, we have shared some interesting information about famous Kabaddi players in India. We are also going to mention the main events that take place all over the world to make you interested in this sport even more. The World Championship is organized by the International Kabaddi Federation. It takes place outdoors. It also has an indoor circle style version called the Kabaddi World Cup. Then there’s the Asian Games, which debuted in 1990 and never stopped. There is also the Pro Kabaddi League, which we have already talked about above. There is also the Kabaddi Super League from Pakistan. There is the Women’s Kabaddi Challenge which is taking place in India. And the Neo Kabaddi League, the second major tournament in India, and the Kabaddi Masters.

FAQ

Why is Kabaddi not included in the Olympics?

Basically, Kabaddi is not as organized as football or any other team sport. There are no associations and leagues, and this is the main thing that prevents Kabaddi from participating in the Olympics. In addition, each sport should be practiced in min. With 75 countries and 4 continents to qualify for the Olympics, Kabaddi still has a long way to go.

What is the main essence of the Kabaddi game?

The game of Kabaddi consists of reaching out to opposing players and blocking them by physically holding them. As a general rule for you, consider that the game involves two teams, and the number of players of which may vary. The game continues with the teams sending the “forward” to the opposing team’s half of the court where they will face four “castles”. The raider must focus on the stopper and try to block him in the mid-lane within 30 seconds to score a point.

What is “Super 10” in Kabaddi?

If you hear about Super 10 in Kabaddi, know that it refers to a raider who scores 10 or more points in a single match. These points are individual and are not shared with the rest of the team.

Is Kabaddi only played in India?

Not really! Kabaddi is not only a national team game in India but is also widely practiced in other countries nearby, such as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Bangladesh, and Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and some other regions.

How did Kabaddi come about?

According to historical records, Kabaddi has existed for over 4,000 years. He combines wrestling with sports practice. What hasn’t changed since the beginning is the simplicity of the game: raiders attack while blockers defend. Despite the history, it is known that over the years the sport has become professional and adapted to new realities. This is how the World Cup appeared, and in India, there is even a National League, which has existed since 2014. In terms of the number of spectators, it is second only to cricket.