10 best Pro-kabaddi players 

Enter captionAs a new seasons dawns upon us, the previous four seasons have left us with a lot of anticipation. The new season promises to bring a lot more entertainment to the fore with team shuffles and players set to don new jerseys.
Ten of the biggest names from the first four editions of the Pro Kabaddi League

With the new season almost upon us, the action from the previous four seasons has left us with a lot of anticipation. The new season promises to bring a lot more entertainment to the fore with team-shuffles and players set to don new jerseys.

While banks have been broken to procure the services of some players, expectations will be soaring high and eyes will fall on the four new kids on the block.

With the platform laid and the arena set for battle, we take a blast from the past and pick out ten of the biggest names from the first four editions of the Pro Kabaddi League.


#10 Dhamaraj Cheralathan

Cheralathan during his playing days at Bengaluru
Cheralathan during his playing days at Bengaluru

Fondly called 'Anna' by his fans and teammates, the corner defender has been an integral part of the teams he has represented in the PKL. Although age is not really on his side, the defender has caused enough problems for raiders. He has represented three teams in his PKL career, namely the Bengaluru Bulls, Puneri Paltan and the Telugu Titans.

This season, he will be leading the defence of the Puneri Paltan.

No. of matches - 59

Tackle points - 151

Tackle points per game - 2.559

#9 Meraj Sheykh

Meraj in action against Jaipur
Meraj in action against Jaipur

One of the best foreign talents in the Pro Kabaddi League, Iranian Meraj Sheykh has been a revelation in the tournament ever since his first game for the Telugu Titans. Apart from crushing ankles in the corner, his agile raids have often been used at crucial times during the matches.

The Iranian national has captained the Telugu Titans in the past and will play for Dabang Delhi K.C in season five.

No. of matches played - 43

Total points - 161

Total raid points/ Total defence points - 119/42

Raid points per match/ tackle points per match - 2.76/1.023

#8 Ajay Thakur

Ajay Thakur looks for a raid point against Bengal
Ajay Thakur looks for a raid point against Bengal

One of the tallest raiders in the league, Ajay Thakur's international experience has often come to the fore especially during the do-or-die situations. In the PKL, Ajay has represented two teams, Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan.

In the upcoming season, Ajay Thakur will captain the Tamil Thalaivars, a new entrant into the league and the star raider will hope for a strong start to their campaign.

No. of matches - 58

Raid points - 316

Raid points per match - 5.448

#7 Pardeep Narwal

Pardeep Narwal tries to escape the clutches of Bengal Warrior's defenders
Pardeep Narwal tries to escape the clutches of Bengal Warrior's defenders

Young, athletic and a knack for scoring points in heaps. Pardeep Narwal turned into an overnight teenage sensation with his free scoring techniques in season 3 when he combined fabulously well with Rohit Kumar to lead Patna to a title victory.

The next season, he continued his purple patch and top scored in the raiding department, walking away with the 'raider of the tournament award'. Ahead of season five, the ex-Bengaluru Bulls player was retained by the Pirates.

No. of matches - 38

Raid points - 256

Raid points per match - 6.736

#6 Anup Kumar

Anup celebrates after scoring a point
Anup celebrates after scoring a point

Cool as a cucumber, Anup Kumar is India's favourite son's when it comes to the sport of Kabaddi. An Arjuna awardee, Anup was voted as the 'most valuable player' in season one and has captained the U Mumba squad since PKL's inception in 2014.

In addition to leading U Mumba to title victory in 2015, Anup top scored for them in the raiding department and since then, he has only grown in stature as one of the best in the business.

No. of matches - 57

Raid points - 377

Raid points per match - 6.614

#5 Rohit Kumar

Rohit Kumar in action against Jaipur
Rohit Kumar in action against Jaipur

The second costliest player in the history of the PKL, Rohit Kumar was purchased by the Bulls for 81 lakh in the recent auction leading to PKL season 5. The raider was the talk of the town after his stellar show in season 3 earned him the 'most valuable player' award.

However, he was released by Patna ahead of season 4 and was bought by the Bengaluru Bulls. Although he led the raid charts, it did not suffice in the end. This season, he will hope to lead the Bulls to victory.

No. of matches - 26

Raid points - 195

Raid points per match - 7.5

#4 Mohit Chhillar

Mohit collects the award after a stellar performance for the Bulls
Mohit collects the award after a stellar performance for the Bulls

The most expensive defender in the PKL 4 auction, Mohit Chhillar has been a force to reckon with on the right corner for every team he has represented. If there was ever a Ram-Lakhan combination in Kabaddi, it has to be that of Mohit and Surender Nada. The duo has played together for U Mumba and the Bengaluru Bulls.

While Mohit considers attacking the raiders early a rather optimistic approach, the support he gets from Surender Nada often leaves raiders in a spot of bother. This season as well, he will look to combine with Nada while playing for the Haryana Steelers.

No. of matches - 57

Tackle points - 170

Tackle points per match - 2.982

#3 Sandeep Narwal

Sandeep exults after scoring points
Sandeep exults after scoring points

Perhaps one of the best all-rounders to have played the game, Sandeep's game awareness combined with his power has often given a raise to the standards of his style of play. The right-corner defender's strong grip has struck more often than not, giving no chance for the opposition raider to get away safely.

In addition to this, the ex-Titans all-rounder is no mug when it comes to raiding, often taking up the raiding duties in the crunch situations. This season, he will be representing the Puneri Paltan and will hope to bring all his experience into play.

No. of matches - 62

Total points - 332

Raid points/tackle points - 171/161

raid points per match/tackle points per match - 2.758/2.596

#2 Rahul Chaudhari

Rahul will be crucial for the Titans this season
Rahul will be crucial for the Titans this season

Arguably the best raider to have graced the game, Rahul holds a plethora of records to his name with regard to the PKL. Having started his career with the Telugu Titans, the ace raider has amassed the highest ever number of raid points in PKL apart from the most overall points as well.

Tall and fast, Rahul's consistency while raiding has been unmatched and his skill on the mat has often left the defenders looking like a bunch of school children who have no reply to his shrewdness. In the history of the PKL, he also has the highest raid points per match ratio.

This year too, the raider will do what he does best, raid and score points in heaps for the Titans.

No. of matches - 57

Raid points - 482

Raid points per match - 8.456

#1 Manjeet Chhillar

Manjeet Chhillar looks to get the better of the defenders
Manjeet Chhillar looks to get the better of the Jaipur defenders

The 'Badshah' of the Pro Kabaddi League, Manjeet Chhillar is the perfect all-round package. Equally adept at both defending and raiding, the all-rounder has led two teams in the past, the Bengaluru Bulls and the Puneri Paltan.

While Manjeet Chhillar is no doubt the best in the league when it comes to defending from the cover region, his understanding of the game is next to none. When his team is under pressure, the captain has often taken the onus on himself and delivered in style, taking the pressure off the team.

With Manjeet joining forces with Jasvir Singh at the Panthers this season, the Jaipur outfit might be one to look out for.

No. of matches - 59

Total points - 403

Raid points/tackle points - 207/196

Raid points per match/tackle points per match - 3.508/ 3.322

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava