5 best Indian kabaddi players

The Indian men’s kabaddi team celebrates their Gold medal at the South Asian Games 2016Indian men’s kabaddi team were once again crowned champions at the Asian Games. India have won gold in every single edition of the Asian Games since the sports was introduced in 1990. Kabaddi received a big boost in India following the Pro Kabaddi League as well as the World Kabaddi League. Let’s take a look at the five best current Indian kabaddi players:

#5 Mohit Chhillar

Mohit Chhillar receiving the ‘Defender of the Match’ during PKL season 4

Mohit Chhillar formed a lethal defensive partnership with Surender Nada at their time with the Mumbai-based franchise in the Pro Kabaddi League. Mohit is a burly right corner hailing from Nizampur, near New Delhi, which has been a nurturing ground for Indian internationals like Rakesh Kumar and Manjeet Chhillar. Mumba’s top defender in PKL season 2 and season 3 will be hoping to repeat his performances for the Bulls in PKL 4.

Relying majorly on the knee hold and the ankle hold, Mohit Chhillar has amassed 123 tackle points across 3 seasons. It thus came as no surprise when the defender was the most expensive pick at the auction

NameMohit ChhillarAge23PositionRight CornerHeight180 cmsWeight77 kgs Medals RecordYearMedalSouth Asian Games2016Gold

#4 Manjeet Chhillar

Manjeet Chhillar in action at the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League

Arguably the best all-rounder in the PKL, Manjeet Chhillar was retained by Puneri Paltan for the ongoing season 4 of the Pro Kabaddi League. He was awarded the best defender of PKL 1 and the MVP in PKL season 2 for his exploits in both the departments (Raiding and Tackling). He has the most number of tackle points (152) in PKL history and even has the whopping total of 183 raid points to his name as well. He is thus one of only two players (the other being Sandeep Narwal) to currently manage the double of 100 raid and tackle points.

NameManjit ChillarAge28PositionAll RounderHeight1.74 mWeight80 kgMedals RecordYearMedalAsian Games2010Gold 2014GoldAsian Indoor Games2009GoldNational Championships2010Gold 2011Gold 2012Gold

#3 Anup Kumar

Indian skipper Anup Kumar in action in the Pro Kabaddi League

The star raider of U Mumba is also the Captain of the Indian national men’s Kabaddi team, the most prolific raider in PKL 1 (155 raid points), Anup was also named as the MVP of the tournament as U Mumba finished runners-up losing the final to Jaipur Pink Panthers. What sets him apart is his cool temperament, leadership skills and his tactical acumen as he led U Mumba to the title in PKL 2.

Name

Anup KumarAge30PositionRaiderHeight1.81 mWeight80 kg

He also captained the Indian men’s Kabaddi contingent at the 2016 South Asian Games and led them to yet another Gold Medal in our rich kabaddi history!

Medals RecordYearMedalAsian Games2010Gold 2014GoldAsian Indoor Games2009Gold 2013GoldSouth Asian Games2016Gold

#2 Rahul Chaudhari

Rahul Chaudhari

The 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh made a unique space for himself in the very first season of the Pro Kabaddi, where he scored 151 raid points and awarded the best raider of the tournament. He never looked back after that and ended up as a leading raid point scorer in PKL with 336 raid points in 3 seasons.

NameRahul ChaudhariAge23PositionRaiderHeight182 cmsWeight78 kgMedals RecordYearMedal South Asian Games2016Gold

He made his international debut at the South Asian Games 2016 and helped his nation clinch yet another Gold medal by beating Pakistan 9-7 in a closely contested final.

#1 Rohit Kumar

Bengaluru Bulls’ Rohit Kumar in action against Bengal Warriors

The tall and fit, Rohit Kumar impressed everyone with his extraordinary raiding skills in Pro Kabaddi season 3. Despite playing his first PKL season, he became the poster-boy of the PKL 3 champions, Patna Pirates as well as won the ‘Most Valuable Player’ title at the conclusion of season 3.

NameRohit Kumar Age26Height177 cmsWeight75 kgMedals RecordYearMedalSouth Asian Games2016Gold