Pro Kabaddi is a professional kabaddi league in India that has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. The league features some of the best kabaddi players in the world who compete against each other in a high-intensity and action-packed format. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the most prominent Pro Kabaddi players and discuss their key strengths and skills.
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Table of Contents
Top Pro Kabaddi Players
Here are some of the top Pro Kabaddi players that you should know about:
Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal is undoubtedly one of the most talented and skilled Pro Kabaddi players in India. He was born on February 16, 1997, in Haryana, India. His achievements and playing style have made him a fan favorite and a tough opponent to beat. As a beginner, learning about the top players like Pardeep Narwal can help you appreciate the sport and its nuances better.
Achievements
Pardeep Narwal has won numerous accolades throughout his career. He has been a part of the Patna Pirates team since the inception of Pro Kabaddi in 2014 and has helped the team win three championship titles.
- Most Valuable Player (2016, 2017)
- Best Raider Award (2017, 2018)
- Most super raids in a season
- Most touch point in a single raid
- First player to score 1500 raid points in PKL history
Playing Style
Pardeep Narwal is known for his agility, speed, and quick reflexes playing style. He is an exceptional raider and has a unique ability to score points even in the toughest situations. He is also known for his signature move, the “Dubki,” where he ducks under the opponent’s tackle and escapes unscathed. His quick reflexes and ability to outsmart defenders make him a tough opponent to beat.
Season Performances
| Club Team | Season | Total Matches | Raid Strike Rate | Tackle Strike Rate | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru Bulls | 2015 | 6 | 24% | 0 | 9 |
| Patna Pirates | 2016 | 16 | 62% | 38% | 121 |
| Patna Pirates | 2016 | 16 | 50% | 33% | 133 |
| Patna Pirates | 2017 | 26 | 63% | 0 | 369 |
| Patna Pirates | 2018 | 21 | 60% | 18% | 233 |
| Patna Pirates | 2019 | 22 | 67% | 67% | 304 |
| UP Yoddhas | 2021 | 24 | 54% | 0 | 188 |
| UP Yoddhas | 2022 | 22 | 59% | 0 | 220 |
Maninder Singh
Maninder Singh is another talented raider who plays for Bengal Warriors. He was born on February 13, 1990, in Punjab, India. He is known for his excellent footwork, strength, and ability to escape tackles. He has scored more than 600 points in the Pro Kabaddi league and is a key player for his team. Maninder Singh is undoubtedly one of the top Pro Kabaddi players in India.
Achievements
Maninder Singh has won numerous accolades throughout his career. He has been a part of the Bengal Warriors team since 2017 and helped them win their first championship title in Season 7. He has also been awarded the “Best Raider” award twice in Season 5 and 7. Additionally, he has been named in the Pro Kabaddi League’s “Dream Team” twice in Season 5 and 7.
Playing Style
Maninder Singh is known for his aggressive and fearless playing style. He is an exceptional raider and has the ability to score points even in the toughest situations. He is also known for his signature move, the “toe touch,” where he touches his opponent with his toes while running past them. His agility and speed make him a tough opponent to tackle.
Season Performances
| Club Team | Season | Total Matches | Raid Strike Rate | Tackle Strike Rate | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 2014 | 16 | 74% | 37% | 137 |
| Bengal Warriors | 2017 | 21 | 52% | 15% | 192 |
| Bengal Warriors | 2018 | 22 | 55% | 0 | 206 |
| Bengal Warriors | 2019 | 20 | 64% | 0 | 205 |
| Bengal Warriors | 2021 | 22 | 65% | 18% | 264 |
| Bengal Warriors | 2022 | 21 | 66% | 29% | 240 |
Sandeep Narwa
Sandeep Narwal is a well-known name in the world of Kabaddi. He is a professional Kabaddi player from India who has made a name for himself in the Pro Kabaddi League. Sandeep Narwal is a versatile all-rounder who can play in multiple positions. He has played for several teams in the Pro Kabaddi league and has won the “Best Defender” award twice. He is known for his powerful blocks and tackles and is a nightmare for opposition raiders.
Achievements
Sandeep Narwal has been a part of the Pro Kabaddi League since its inception in 2014. He has played for various teams like UP Yoddhas, Dabang Delhi KC, U Mumba, Puneri Paltan, Telugu Titans, and Patna Pirates. He has won three championships titles with three different teams. He has also been awarded the “Best Defender” award twice in Season 2 and 4.
Playing Style
Sandeep Narwal is known for his aggressive playing style and his ability to tackle opponents with ease. He is an exceptional defender and has the ability to stop the best raiders in their tracks. He is also known for his signature move, the “dubki,” where he dives through his opponent’s legs to get them out. He is a tough opponent to face and has a no-holds-barred approach to the game.
Season Performances
| Club Team | Season | Total Matches | Raid Strike Rate | Tackle Strike Rate | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patna Pirates | 2014 | 16 | 53% | 66% | 119 |
| Patna Pirates | 2015 | 16 | 32% | 52% | 83 |
| Patna Pirates | 2016 | 14 | 16% | 58% | 64 |
| Telugu Titans | 2016 | 16 | 27% | 51% | 66 |
| Puneri Paltan | 2017 | 21 | 28% | 51% | 85 |
| Puneri Paltan | 2018 | 18 | 29% | 51% | 66 |
| U Mumba | 2019 | 24 | 30% | 55% | 76 |
| Dabang Delhi KC | 2021 | 24 | 38% | 40% | 64 |
| UP Yoddhas | 2022 | 7 | 26% | 55% | 22 |
Siddharth Desai
Siddharth Desai is a young and talented Kabaddi player from India who has made a name for himself in the Pro Kabaddi League. He made his debut in Season 6 and was the top scorer with 218 points. He is known for his agility, speed, and ability to score bonus points. Siddharth Desai is a rising star in the Pro Kabaddi league who currently plays for Telugu Titans.
Achievements
Siddharth Desai made his debut in the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 6 with the U Mumba team. He made an immediate impact, becoming the fastest player in the league’s history to reach 50 raid points in just four matches. He finished the season with 218 raid points, the second-highest by any player in a single season. He was also awarded the “Best Debutant” award for his performances.
Playing Style
Siddharth Desai is known for his explosive and agile playing style. He is an exceptional raider with the ability to score points even in tough situations. He has a range of raiding techniques, including the “jump,” “frog jump,” and “dubki.” He is also known for his swift movements and his ability to dodge tackles from the opposition’s defenders. He is a tough opponent to face and has the ability to turn the game around in favor of his team.
Season Performances
| Club Team | Season | Total Matches | Raid Strike Rate | Tackle Strike Rate | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U Mumba | 2018 | 21 | 68% | 33% | 221 |
| Telugu Titans | 2019 | 22 | 66% | 43% | 220 |
| Telugu Titans | 2021 | 3 | 69% | 100% | 35 |
| Telugu Titans | 2022 | 17 | 63% | 25% | 144 |
Fazel Atrachali
Fazel Atrachali is a highly skilled and experienced Kabaddi player from Iran who has made a significant impact in the Pro Kabaddi League. He has won the “Best Defender” award three times in the Pro Kabaddi league and is known for his quick thinking, strategic blocks, and ability to read the game well. He is one of the most feared defenders in the league and can single-handedly turn the game in his team’s favor.
Achievements
Fazel Atrachali made his debut in the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 2 with the U Mumba team. Since then, he has become one of the most successful players in the league’s history. He has won the league title three times, twice with U Mumba and once with the Gujarat Fortune Giants. He has also been awarded the “Best Defender” award in Seasons 4, 5, and 6, making him the only player in the league’s history to win the award three times.
Playing Style
Fazel Atrachali is known for his strong and aggressive playing style. He is a highly skilled defender with the ability to tackle even the toughest of raiders. He is a master of the ankle hold, a technique used to immobilize raiders by grabbing their ankle. He is also proficient in other techniques such as the thigh hold and the back hold. His speed and agility make him an essential part of any team’s defense.
Season Performances
| Club Team | Season | Total Matches | Raid Strike Rate | Tackle Strike Rate | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U Mumba | 2015 | 5 | 25% | 85% | 12 |
| U Mumba | 2016 | 11 | 50% | 70% | 33 |
| Patna Pirates | 2016 | 16 | 0 | 72% | 52 |
| Gujarat Giants | 2017 | 24 | 0 | 58% | 57 |
| U Mumba | 2018 | 23 | 0 | 64% | 83 |
| U Mumba | 2019 | 24 | 13% | 61% | 84 |
| U Mumba | 2021 | 22 | 0 | 44% | 51 |
| Puneri Paltan | 2022 | 21 | 0 | 51% | 56 |
Training and Preparation
Pro Kabaddi players undergo rigorous training and preparation to maintain their physical and mental fitness. They typically engage in a combination of strength and endurance training, as well as practice drills and game simulations to improve their skills and performance. They also follow strict diets and nutritional plans to ensure optimal health and fitness.
Key Skills of Pro Kabaddi Players
Pro Kabaddi players need to possess a combination of physical and mental skills to excel in the sport. Here are some of the key skills that are required:
- Agility
Kabaddi is a game that requires players to move quickly and change direction frequently. Pro Kabaddi players need to be agile and have good footwork to be able to evade tackles and score points.
- Strength
Kabaddi is a contact sport that requires players to be strong and physically fit. Pro Kabaddi players need to have the strength to push through tackles and make successful raids.
- Stamina
Kabaddi matches are high-intensity and can last for up to 40 minutes. Pro Kabaddi players need to have good stamina and endurance to be able to perform consistently throughout the match.
- Reflexes
Kabaddi is a fast-paced sport that requires quick reflexes and reaction times. Pro Kabaddi players need to be able to react quickly to changes in the game and make split-second decisions.
- Strategy
Kabaddi is not just a physical game but also a mental one. Pro Kabaddi players need to be able to read the game well and come up with effective strategies to outwit their opponents.
Conclusion
Pro Kabaddi is a highly competitive and exciting sport that features some of the best athletes in India and around the world. Whether you are a fan or a beginner, learning about the top Pro Kabaddi players and their skills can help you appreciate the sport and its nuances better. By understanding the physical and mental demands of the game, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into becoming a top Pro Kabaddi player.
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