Gaurav Khatri Biography: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More

Gaurav Khatri is an Indian kabaddi player who plays as a right-corner defender. He has spent his Pro Kabaddi League career with Puneri Paltan and has grown from a young replacement player into an established defender. His career took another major step in 2026 when he was selected in India’s 12-member men’s kabaddi team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. He then became an Asian Games 2026 gold medallist as India defeated Iran in the men’s final.

Khatri’s rise has been steady rather than sudden. He started playing in local competitions at a young age and entered the professional setup through the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 9. Since then, he has been part of Puneri Paltan’s title-winning campaign, recorded several strong defensive seasons and reached the 200-tackle milestone in the league.

Gaurav Khatri Biography

Gaurav Khatri Early Life

Gaurav Khatri was born in Narela, Delhi, and kabaddi was already familiar in his family. Published profiles say his father played kabaddi at the local level, which helped Khatri develop an early connection with the sport. He started attending practice sessions while he was still in school and began taking part in local tournaments at around the age of 15.

During his teenage years, Khatri played in local competitions in Delhi and Uttarakhand. These matches gave him regular playing experience and helped him improve his defensive game. His main role was in the right corner, where he worked on ankle holds, blocks and other techniques used to stop raiders close to the boundary.

Information about his school and college education is limited in the public domain. Some websites have linked him with the University of Delhi, but there is no strong official source confirming his university education. Therefore, specific claims about his school or college should be treated carefully.

Gaurav Khatri Family

Gaurav Khatri comes from a family where kabaddi already had a place because of his father’s involvement in the sport at the local level. Published profiles state that he has one brother and one sister. However, the names of his parents and siblings have not been widely confirmed through strong public sources.

Khatri has spoken about the support he received during the early stages of his career. His journey from local tournaments to the Pro Kabaddi League required regular training and match practice. The support around him helped him continue with kabaddi while developing his game as a young defender.

Gaurav Khatri Domestic Kabaddi Career

Before entering the Pro Kabaddi League, Khatri gained experience through local kabaddi tournaments. Delhi and Uttarakhand featured in this part of his playing journey, and published profiles report that he won local tournaments in both places. These competitions gave him a chance to face different raiders and improve his defensive timing.

Khatri later became associated with Chandigarh in domestic competition. He was named in the Chandigarh squad for the 70th Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship in 2024, alongside players such as Pawan Sehrawat, Gurdeep Sangwan and Vishal Bhardwaj. He was also part of Chandigarh’s squad for the 71st Senior National Championship in 2025 and appeared on the Chandigarh list for the 72nd Senior National Championship in 2026.

He also represented Chandigarh during the 38th National Games in 2025. The Chandigarh team featured several Pro Kabaddi League players, including Khatri, as the side competed in the men’s kabaddi event.

Gaurav Khatri Pro Kabaddi League Career

Gaurav Khatri made his Pro Kabaddi League debut in Season 9 in 2022 for Puneri Paltan. The franchise signed him as a young player and used him at right corner. His opportunity came as an injury replacement during the COVID-affected season, giving him his first chance to play at the professional level.

Khatri’s first PKL appearance came against Bengaluru Bulls. According to his own account in an official Pro Kabaddi interview, coach Ashok Shinde sent him onto the mat as a substitute, and his first tackle was against raider Bharat Hooda. Khatri later received more opportunities and was trusted in both the semi-final and final of the season.

In Season 9, Khatri played 16 matches and collected 20 tackle points and one raid point, according to Pro Kabaddi’s Season 10 squad review. Other player profiles list his total at 21 points because of differences in the way some databases count and display the statistics. Puneri Paltan reached the final that season but lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers.

Gaurav Khatri in PKL Season 10

Season 10 became a major turning point in Gaurav Khatri’s career. Puneri Paltan retained him in the Elite Retained Players category, and he became a regular part of the team’s defence. Playing from the right corner, he finished the season with 69 tackle points, four High 5s and two Super Tackles.

Pro Kabaddi’s season analysis says Khatri played all 24 matches and finished with 72 total points. He also recorded 67 successful tackles from 113 attempts and a 59% tackle success rate. His performances helped Puneri Paltan build one of the league’s strongest defensive units that season.

The biggest achievement came at the end of the season. Puneri Paltan defeated Haryana Steelers in the final to win their first Pro Kabaddi League title, and Khatri became a PKL champion in only his second season. He later described himself as fortunate to become a champion so early in his career.

Gaurav Khatri in PKL Season 11

Khatri continued with Puneri Paltan in Season 11 in 2024. He became one of the important defenders in the team and regularly operated from the right corner. He finished the season with 61 tackle points in 21 matches and six High 5s, according to season records.

One of his memorable performances came against Haryana Steelers in the opening match of the season, when he scored seven points and was named the Defender of the Day. Later in the campaign, he also completed High 5 performances, including one against Bengaluru Bulls in Puneri Paltan’s 56-18 victory.

Although Puneri Paltan did not win the title in Season 11, Khatri remained an important part of the squad. His defensive numbers also helped him establish a strong record across his first three PKL seasons. Ahead of Season 12, he had already collected 150 tackle points in 61 matches, according to Khel Now’s career summary.

Gaurav Khatri in PKL Season 12

Gaurav Khatri remained with Puneri Paltan for PKL Season 12 in 2025. The season became another strong chapter in his domestic career as he produced consistent numbers from the right corner. He finished the campaign with 62 tackle points in 19 matches and was among the leading defenders in the league.

Khatri also reached an important career milestone during the season. On October 15, 2025, he scored seven tackle points against Jaipur Pink Panthers and crossed the 200-tackle mark in Pro Kabaddi League history. Pro Kabaddi officially recognised the achievement and named him Defender of the Day.

He recorded seven tackle points twice during Season 12. The first came against Telugu Titans, when he scored seven points from seven tackle attempts, while the second came against Jaipur Pink Panthers. His season ended with 62 tackle points and placed him fifth among the league’s defenders by tackle points.

Gaurav Khatri Career

Khatri’s strong PKL career eventually opened the door to the Indian national team. He was included in India’s 2026 Asian Games squad after going through the national selection process and camps. The 12-member squad included established players such as Sunil Kumar, Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal and Aslam Inamdar, alongside younger players including Khatri.

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 marked Khatri’s first Asian Games appearance. Pro Kabaddi listed him among the eight Indian men making their Asian Games debut in the tournament. He formed part of a defensive group that also included Sunil Kumar, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Sumit Sangwan and Ankit Jaglan.

India played in Group A with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei before moving into the knockout stage. Khatri was part of the Indian squad throughout the tournament as the team moved through the competition and reached the men’s gold medal match.

Gaurav Khatri Wins Asian Games 2026 Gold Medal

The biggest international achievement of Gaurav Khatri’s career came at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India defeated Iran 40-34 in the men’s kabaddi final at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium on September 26, 2026. The victory gave India the men’s kabaddi gold medal and completed an unbeaten campaign.

The final was closely fought in the first half, with Iran taking an 18-17 lead into the interval. India then produced a strong second half, with important contributions from its raiders and defenders. Sumit, Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal were among the players mentioned for key defensive moments as India pulled away before securing the gold medal.

For Khatri, the medal added an international title to the PKL championship he had already won with Puneri Paltan. He went into the Asian Games after four PKL seasons with the Pune franchise and became one of the new Indian players to make an Asian Games debut in 2026. His career record now includes a PKL title and an Asian Games gold medal.

Gaurav Khatri Career Stats

The following table brings together the major publicly reported figures from his Pro Kabaddi League career. Season records are included where reliable season-level figures are available.

*The season tackle-point figures above add up to 212, while some public career databases display different aggregate figures depending on their statistical definitions and updates. MyKhel currently lists 80 matches, 355 tackles, 201 successful tackles, 11 Super Tackles and 16 High 5s for his career.

Gaurav Khatri Major Achievements

Gaurav Khatri has built an impressive list of achievements in a relatively short professional career. His first major success came in Pro Kabaddi League Season 10, when Puneri Paltan won its maiden PKL championship. He followed that achievement with several strong defensive seasons and a 200-tackle milestone in Season 12.

His next major milestone came at the international level in 2026. After earning selection for India’s Asian Games squad, he became part of the team that defeated Iran 40-34 in the final. As a result, Gaurav Khatri won the Asian Games 2026 gold medal in men’s kabaddi.

Key Achievements

• PKL Champion: Season 10 with Puneri Paltan
• PKL Debut: Season 9, 2022
• 200-Tackle Milestone: PKL Season 12
• Asian Games Debut: 2026
• Asian Games Gold Medal: 2026, India
• PKL Season 10: 69 tackle points and four High 5s
• PKL Season 11: 61 tackle points and six High 5s
• PKL Season 12: 62 tackle points and six High 5s

Gaurav Khatri Hobbies and Personal Life

Outside kabaddi, Gaurav Khatri is known for maintaining an active lifestyle. Published profiles list swimming among his hobbies, while his social media activity has also featured gym and fitness-related content. He has also been described as a dog lover.

Khatri has also spoken positively about teammates who helped him during his early PKL years. In an official Pro Kabaddi interview, he mentioned his close bond with Iranian defender Mohammadreza Shadloui, who treated him like a younger brother. Such relationships have been part of his experience as he moved from being a young player to an established defender.

Gaurav Khatri Net Worth

Gaurav Khatri’s exact net worth is not officially disclosed. Various websites publish estimated figures for kabaddi players, but these estimates are generally not supported by official financial records, verified salary documents or direct statements from the player.

Interesting Facts About Gaurav Khatri

Gaurav Khatri entered the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 9 as an injury replacement for Puneri Paltan. Despite joining the team during the season, he received opportunities in important matches, including the semi-final and final.

He became a PKL champion in just his second season. In Season 10, he played all 24 matches for Puneri Paltan, scored 69 tackle points and produced four High 5s and two Super Tackles.

Khatri remained with Puneri Paltan across Seasons 9, 10, 11 and 12. During Season 12, he crossed 200 career tackles and finished with 62 tackle points in 19 matches.

In 2026, Khatri made his Asian Games debut as part of India’s men’s kabaddi team. India then defeated Iran 40-34 in the final, giving Khatri an Asian Games 2026 gold medal alongside the rest of the Indian squad.

Gaurav Khatri’s kabaddi journey has moved through several stages, starting with local competitions in Delhi and Uttarakhand before reaching the Pro Kabaddi League. He made his professional debut as a young replacement player, earned a regular place at right corner and quickly became part of Puneri Paltan’s main defensive unit. His career also includes the franchise’s first PKL championship in Season 10.

The following seasons gave Khatri more experience and important personal milestones. He remained with Puneri Paltan in Seasons 11 and 12, collected more than 60 tackle points in each of those campaigns and crossed the 200-tackle mark in 2025. His selection for the Indian team in 2026 then added a new chapter to his career.

At the Asian Games 2026, Khatri became an international gold medallist as India defeated Iran 40-34 in the men’s kabaddi final. His record now includes local and domestic tournament experience, four PKL seasons with Puneri Paltan, a PKL title and an Asian Games gold medal.