Meet the second youngest player in Pro Kabaddi: 18-year-old Sandeep from Telugu Titans

Telugu Titans’ defensive prodigy, Sandeep

What really defines an anonymous hero? Well it’s usually the player who doesn’t really crave credits for his performance. The unsung hero goes about his business in typical undercover fashion. No flashy celebration to show for, 18-year-old defender Sandeep from Telugu Titans is one such unsung hero.

Renowned for his vicious tackling abilities, the India junior international has been omnipresent for his team. On an average, he makes three successful tackles per match, putting him third on the list of the players who attempt the most tackles. His 58% tackling accuracy places him among the cream of the crop. One of his trademark moves is the ankle hold which he executes with military precision. The boy from Himachal Pradesh plays the game like a seasoned veteran, showing no nerves whatsoever.

Sportskeeda asked him about his early days in the game to which he replied, “I used to study, but I was pretty bad at it. My elder brother used to play Kabaddi in our village and after having watched me a few times, he asked me to take up the sport.”

His meteoric rise hasn’t come overnight though. “I have played the junior nationals quiet often. Mr. Jagmohan, the coach spotted me there. He gave me a chance to go through a trial session at Telugu Titans.”

Not one to be fazed by the wide array of talent, Sandeep still has his favorites in the game. “Deepak Hooda and Joginder Narwal are quality players and I like the way they play the game,” elaborated the young defender.

While his teammates continue to enjoy the victorious moments this season, Sandeep chooses to appreciate theses moments in peace. No wonder he looked a tad out of place at the post-match press conference. The Titan’s impressive form this season must have made the attention a little easier to absorb.