Top 10 Best Kabaddi Players in India 2025: Legendary Icons

Kabaddi is one of the most celebrated sports and produces some of the best players both on national and international platforms in India. With the advent of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), the sport has reached newer heights, providing players with a stage to display their extraordinary talents. Pardeep Narwal, dubbed the “Dubki King,” is among the Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India and the highest raid point holder in PKL history. Also making their special imprint have been Maninder Singh and Pawan Sehrawat, both of whom have gorgeous raiding skills.

India’s kabaddi legacy has been bolstered by players as diverse as defenders like Manjeet Chhillar and all-rounders such as Deepak Niwas Hooda. These players have paved the way for the global kabaddi stage and have been the torchbearers of the sport as India continues to establish its dominance on the world stage. If you are a fan of Kabaddi, here are the names of the Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India you should know.

Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India

India has produced some of the finest kabaddi players in history, with numerous stars leaving an indelible mark on the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and international competitions. Below is a list of the Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India, known for their incredible skills, records, and achievements.

1. Pardeep Narwal: 

No Indian player has even been able to catch up with him in terms of achievements. Pardeep Narwal is considered  the greatest raider of all time in PKL history. Hailing from Rindhana, Haryana, he picked up his kabaddi skills from an early age. He started his PKL career with Bengaluru Bulls but rose to fame with the Patna Pirates, taking them to three back-to-back titles between the 3rd and 5th Seasons. He developed his own technique, his signature “dubki”, a quick ducking move to dodge defenders, and earned the nickname “Dubki King.” Pardeep was the first player to cross the 1,000 raids points in PKL history In 2021, he was signed by UP Yoddha, where he continued to shine as one of India’s best raiders.

2. Maninder Singh: 

Maninder Singh is a dynamic raider who played a key role in Bengal Warriors’ maiden PKL title success in Season 7. The Dasuya, Punjab-born player began his career with Jaipur Pink Panthers and led them to victory in the inaugural season of PKL back in 2014. He came back stronger after a break due to injury, being part of Bengal Warriors. Maninder is famous for his raw power, chain-breaking ability, and remaining calm during tough situations. He is one of the best raiders ever in the history of PKL. His ability as captain and scorer made him one of the most dangerous raiders in the league.

3. Pawan Sehrawat:

Nicknamed the “High-Flyer” for his incredible leaping ability, Pawan Sehrawat became a sensation in Season 6 with Bengaluru Bulls. He led them to victory, scoring 22 raid points in the final. In Season 9, he became the most expensive PKL player when Tamil Thalaivas signed him for Rs. 2.26 crore. His ability to single-handedly turn games makes him one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India today.

4. Arjun Deshwal: 

Arjun Deshwal is an Indian Player born on 7 July 1999 in Basera, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. He is nicknamed “Raid Machine” for his agility.. He ‘dug’ for 267 raid points to be the second-best raider of the 2022 season. Jaipur Pink Panthers came out victorious in PKL largely due to the consistent performance of Deshwal. Apart from PKL, he featured for India at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the team won a gold medal. His path from a humble village to the global stage is a testament to his passion and dedication to the game of Kabaddi.

5. Naveen Kumar: 

Naveen Kumar, who is currently one of the biggest kabaddi stars in India, is nicknamed the ‘Ninja’. He was born in Bhiwani, Haryana, on 14 February 2000 and made his PKL debut in Season 6 with Dabang Delhi KC. A promising cricketer himself, Naveen’s incredible speed in the field soon earned him the nickname “Naveen Express.” He was instrumental in helping Delhi win their maiden PKL title in Season 8. He possesses the skills to consistently raid and score under pressure. He is also one of the best raiders in modern-day kabaddi with multiple ‘Most Valuable Player’ awards to his credit.

6. Rahul Chaudhari: 

The ‘Showman‘ of kabaddi, Rahul Chaudhari is one of the most experienced and entertaining raiders in the PKL. From Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, he had begun his career as a defender before moving full-time into the matches as a raid. It is his running hand touches and scoring quick points that saw him leading Telugu Titans in several seasons. Rahul became the first player in PKL to achieve 500 raid points. While his form has been hit or miss for most of the last few years, he still remains a valuable player for Jaipur Pink Panthers. His experience, leadership, and flamboyant playing have won fans around the country.

7. Sachin Tanwar

Sachin Tanwar was born on 19 July 1999 and is an Indian kabaddi player from Badhbar village, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, who is an incredible raider. He continued to impress over the next few seasons, getting signed by the Tamil Thalaivas in 2024 for a whopping Rs. 2.15 crores. Tanwar made his international debut for the Indian national team in 2017 and played a pivotal role in helping the Gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. His career, from a humble upbringing to worldwide fame, is a testament to the passion and impact he brought to the world of kabaddi.

8. Deepak Niwas Hooda: 

Deepak Niwas Hooda is one of the finest all-rounders India has in kabaddi. Kabaddi player from Chamaria, Haryana who struggled early on in life but went on to play kabaddi. Starting out in local tournaments, he made his PKL debut with Telugu Titans. He went on to feature for Jaipur Pink Panthers and later Bengal Warriors over the years. Hooda is a boom-raider and a good defensive player. He led the Indian national kabaddi team to gold in the 2016 South Asian Games. He is a player who can adapt to all the positions of an attack and a defense thanks to his great footwork.

9. Vikash Kandola:

Vikash Kandola is a young and talented raider, who has gradually established himself in PKL. Born in Jind, Haryana, his PKL journey began with the Haryana Steelers, where he soon established himself as the side’s lead raider. With his speed, quick burst , and elusiveness, he is a threat. An expensive buy at Rs. 1.7 crore, he was one of the most expensive players in PKL Season 9 when Bengaluru Bulls bought him. Keeping the momentum of his kabaddi rise, Kandola looks to make himself among the best raiders in India.

10. Ajay Thakur: 

Ajay Thakur is one of the most talented kabaddi players in India. A native of Dabhota, Himachal Pradesh, he was an instrumental part of India’s Gold-medal-winning side in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. Thakur is best known for his signature “frog jump” move and has always been one of the leading raiders in international kabaddi.

He had represented several teams in PKL including Bengaluru Bulls and Tamil Thalaivas. He was also the captain of the Indian national team. They retired from PKL, but a kabaddi legend who has inspired young kabaddi players across the country.

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Conclusion 

Kabaddi has developed significantly in India and has given birth to the best players in the history of the game on domestic and international fronts. Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India like Pardeep Narwal and Maninder Singh have performed with their outstanding skills, speed, and strategy in this game.

Their contributions to the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian national team have been instrumental in turning kabaddi into a globally recognized sport. These records encourage the upcoming generations to practice the game with devotion. The Top 10 Kabaddi Players in Indai continue to inspire young talents, shaping the future of this dynamic sport.

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