Kabaddi is among the most popular sports in India and its neighbouring countries. Even though the sport has yet to get global attention, Kabaddi is still quite profitable, with tournaments like Pro Kabaddi League bringing mullion to the table. The game has seen a lot of brilliant and brave hearts who put everything on the line for their team to secure victories that brought joy to their nation at international events and to their supporters in the league matches. India is always at the centre of Kabaddi with its strong raiders who have won a lot of gold medals in various tournaments. This article covers some of the best Kabaddi players of all time.
1. Anup Kumar
Anup Kumar is a retired Indian Kabaddi player and current coach of the Puneri Paltan team in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). He played a pivotal role in the success of the Indian national Kabaddi team. His contributions include winning Asian gold medals in 2010 and 2014, a South Asian gold medal in 2016, and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. Serving as the captain of the Indian National Kabaddi Team, Anup Kumar earned recognition for his excellence in the sport, receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Government of India in 2012.
During his illustrious playing career, Anup Kumar spent five years with U Mumba before later joining the Jaipur Pink Panthers. Beyond his achievements on the kabaddi mat, he holds the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police in his home state of Haryana. On December 19, 2018, Anup Kumar officially announced his retirement from kabaddi, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in his sporting journey. He is surely one of the greatest Kabaddi players of all time in the world.
2. Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal is a prominent Indian Kabaddi player actively representing the UP Yoddha in the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League, in addition to being a key member of the Indian National Kabaddi team. Renowned for his exceptional raiding skills, Pardeep Narwal played a pivotal role in leading the Patna Pirates to an impressive three consecutive VIVO Pro Kabaddi titles.
His outstanding performances on the kabaddi mat have not only contributed to team victories but also earned him several records in raiding within the league. Pardeep Narwal’s prowess and strategic gameplay have solidified his reputation as one of the best players in the world of kabaddi. He has won gold in three of the four tournaments that he has played in for India.
3. Rahul Chaudhari
Rahul Chaudhari is among the best Indian Kabaddi players. He initially showcased his skills as a defender before transitioning into a formidable raider. Notably, Rahul holds the distinction of being the first player in the Pro Kabaddi League to achieve the milestones of scoring 500, 700, and 800 raid points, attesting to his exceptional prowess on the kabaddi mat.
Rahul Chaudhari’s contributions extend beyond the league, as he was a valuable member of the Indian National Kabaddi team that clinched a gold medal in the 2016 South Asian Games. Having spent six seasons with the Telugu Titans and one season with the Tamil Thalaivas, Rahul has now donned the jersey of the Jaipur Pink Panthers.
4. Ajay Thakur
No list of the best Kabaddi players in the world will be complete without the inclusion of Ajay Thakur. He served as the former captain of the Indian National Kabaddi Team. His notable contributions include being a key member of the national teams that secured victory in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup and earned a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the sport, Ajay Thakur was honoured with the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award in 2019, further solidifying his status as a revered figure in Indian Kabaddi.
5. Manjeet Chhillar
Manjeet Chhillar, a former Indian professional Kabaddi player, has transitioned into the role of assistant coach for the Telugu Titans in the PKL. Throughout his illustrious playing career, he represented the Indian national team, contributing significantly to their success, including winning a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2014 Asian Indoor Games in Incheon.
In the Pro Kabaddi League, Manjeet Chhillar showcased his skills while playing for various teams, namely Bengaluru Bulls, Puneri Paltan, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Tamil Thalaivas, and Dabang Delhi. The government of India bestowed upon him the prestigious Arjuna Award. This shows that he is among the best Kabaddi players of all time in the world.
6. Deepak Niwas Hooda
Often called the greatest all-rounder in the world of Kabaddi, Deepak Hooda is a huge asset to his team. He served as the former captain of the India national kabaddi team. His notable achievements include being a crucial member of the Indian team that secured a gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games. Deepak has showcased his skills consistently across all seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, establishing himself as one of the premier all-rounders in the league’s history.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2023: Teams, Players, Venues, Schedule, Timings, Online Streaming and More
7. Pawan Sehrawat
Pawan Kumar Sehrawat is the current sensation in the Kabaddi world. He is associated with the Telugu Titans in the Pro Kabaddi League and also represents the Reserve Bank of India. Notably, Pawan set a historic milestone by becoming the most expensive player in Pro Kabaddi League history during the ninth season when the Tamil Thalaivas secured his services for ₹2.26 crores. Subsequently, for the tenth season, he was acquired by the Telugu Titans for a whopping Rs 2.60 crore, once again establishing himself as the most expensive player in the annals of the Pro Kabaddi League.
8. Naveen Kumar
Naveen Kumar is definitely one of the best Kabaddi players right now. He is a key member of both the Indian national Kabaddi team and Dabang Delhi KC in the Pro Kabaddi League. Renowned for his remarkable speed and consistent raiding abilities, Naveen stands out as one of the premier raiders in the league. Notably, he played a crucial role in the Indian kabaddi team’s success, securing a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games.
9. Maninder Singh
Maninder Singh, an accomplished Indian professional Kabaddi player, proudly represents the India National Kabaddi team. Serving as both the captain and lead raider for the Bengal Warriors in the Pro Kabaddi League, Maninder has earned acclaim as one of the league’s premier raiders. His exceptional skills and leadership were instrumental in guiding the Bengal Warriors to their historic victory, securing the team’s maiden PKL trophy in 2019.
10. Fazel Atrachali
Fazel Atrachali, hailing from Iran, is among the best Kabaddi players of all time. He currently serves as the captain of the Gujarat Giants in the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League and leads the Iran National Kabaddi team. Widely regarded as one of the most successful foreign players in the Pro Kabaddi League’s history, Atrachali has achieved the remarkable feat of being the sole foreign player to rank among the top 10 tackle points scorers in the league.
His outstanding defensive prowess earned him the prestigious Best Defender of the Season award in the 4th edition of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League. Additionally, Fazel Atrachali holds the distinction of being the highest-paid foreign player in the league and has accumulated an impressive total of 424 tackle points.
