In the recent past, the surge in kabaddi‘s popularity in India owes much to the collective efforts of various players who have played a pivotal role in making the sport widely adored and immensely enjoyable.
Among these contributors stands Ajay Thakur as a notable figure. Born on May 1, 1987, Ajay Thakur is an esteemed Indian Kabaddi player and the former captain of the Indian National Kabaddi Team.
He notably contributed to the victories in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup and clinched a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games. His exceptional achievements led to receiving the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award in 2019. Furthermore, he is an integral part of the Himachal Pradesh Police Service cadre, presently holding the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police. In this Ajay Thakur biography, we will have a look at his kabaddi journey, career, and more.
About Ajay Thakur | Indian Kabaddi Player
| Full name | Ajay Thakur |
| Nickname(s) | Ice Man, King of Kabaddi |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Born | 1 May 1987 (age 40) |
| Place of Birth | Dabhota, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Alma mater | Government Post-Graduation College, Nalagarh |
| Occupation | DSP, Kabaddi Player |
| Years active | 2007-2024 |
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) |
| Spouse(s) | Sandeep Rana |
| Country | India |
| Sport | Kabaddi |
| Position | Raider |
| Kabaddi League | Pro Kabaddi League |
| Club | Bengaluru Bulls (2014-2015) |
| Puneri Paltan (2016-2017) | |
| Tamil Thalaivas (2017-2020) | |
| Dabang Delhi (2021-2022) | |
| Team | India’s national kabaddi team, Himachal Pradesh |
| Coached by | Baskaran Kasinathan, Balwan Singh |
| Medal Record |
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Early Days
Born and brought up in Dabhota village in Himachal Pradesh, Ajay knew his calling was in sports from a young age. Coming from a sports family, Ajay got the right support and encouragement from the beginning of his career. Initially, Ajay’s father wanted him to study and choose a more secure profession. However, Ajay was never inclined towards that, so he decided to support his son wholeheartedly.
Ajay’s Journey in Indian National Team
It was at the Asian Indoor Games of 2007 that Ajay won his first international medal. Since then, there has been no one to stop him. With every tournament, he has proved not only his skills in kabaddi but also his leadership skills as a captain. He has led the Indian National Team to glory on multiple occasions. The game has become extremely popular in recent years, all due to players like Ajay Thakur, and this surely is a welcome change. Ajay won another gold at the Asian Indoor Games 2013.
India's victory at the Asian Games 2014 asserted India’s dominance in the game. Ajay played a crucial role in the tournament.
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2016 World Cup Victory
Ajay Thakur was definitely the star of the 2016 World Cup victory. He captured the imagination of the entire nation by scoring a Super 10 in the final against Iran. He believes in leading through his example.
File Photo. Image Source: timesnownews.com
In an exclusive interview after the World Cup win, Ajay Thakur told News18,
"My coach used to tell us, keep your spirit high and play with all honesty. Kabaddi and the players will get the recognition one day. Now we feel so proud to be part of the world cup winning team and thankful to the nation who showed their love, emotion and so much support to us. I would like to thank the Prime Minister, the Sports Minister and all the stars for congratulating us and following the game."
At the Kabaddi Masters in Dubai and Asian Kabaddi Championships, India won the tournament titles without losing a single game. Ajay showed immense class and talent in every game.
2018 Disappointment
Unfortunately, the 2018 Asian Games turned out to be a huge disappointment for Ajay and the team. The team entered the games as the favorites. However, they suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Iran and had to come home with a bronze. The defeat turned out to be even more painful, as Ajay got injured during the game. In an interview with IANS, he shared his thoughts on the tournament. Ajay expressed,
“Losing at the Asian Games was the worst moment of my career as it was under my captaincy. Kabaddi has completely been an Indian game and if such mishappenings take place, it hurts. But today, this game (kabaddi) is not just confined to India. So many countries are playing it and that too, very well. So, now it is not so easy to go and get a medal. The quality of competition is getting better day by day. The game has expanded and today the whole world watches it, as it carries name and fame like other games. No doubt, we feel bad for the loss, but it is good for the growth of the game,”
The team faced some technical challenges in the game. The mat was not very suitable for raiding. Raiding is the Indian team's biggest strength, and Ajay himself is an aggressive raider. Victories and defeats are a part and parcel of any sport. The most important part is how you analyze your defeats and come back stronger.
Ajay Thakur in Pro-Kabaddi League (PKL)
Ajay Thakur is one of the top scorers in the Pro Kabaddi League as well. In the first two editions, he played for Bengaluru Bulls. In the third year, he was purchased by the franchise, Puneri Paltan. The team reached the last four stages in both editions. In the fifth season, Ajay was bought by the Tamil Thalaivas. Ajay Thakur played 13 matches and scored 58 raid points while playing for Tamil Thalaivas in PKL Season 7. He is known as Flying Thakur due to his dangerous raiding style. Ajay is definitely one of the most feared kabaddi players!
Though Pro Kabaddi exposed the techniques of Indian players to foreign players, Ajay doesn't consider this a drawback. The league has brought kabaddi into the limelight. Today, we can see fans discussing teams, players, and techniques. This level of excitement was only seen for cricket and IPL till a few years back. This shows Ajay's commitment and dedication towards the game. He believes in looking at the bigger picture rather than thinking about defeats as a shortcoming. He has time and again asserted that PKL is very important for the growth of kabaddi.
PKL 12: New Chapter for Ajay Thakur
Once, Ajay Thakur was not just a raider but one of the most successful and decorated raiders from India. Now he has taken on the role of the strategist and begun a new journey in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 as the head coach of Puneri Paltan.
Ajay, who was famous for his calm composure and clutch performances on the mat, is now using his experience and leadership from off the field, coaching a young but ambitious Paltan squad. His thorough knowledge of the game, especially raiding tactics under pressure, is anticipated to bring a fresh face to Pune's playstyle.
For spectators, it is not just about witnessing the gradual and quiet end of his career as a legend; rather, it is about seeing him redefine his legacy by coaching the next generation of kabaddi stars.
Ajay Thakur Family
Ajay’s father, Chotu Ram, worked in the police and is a former wrestler and coach himself. His mother, Rajinder Kaur, is a homemaker. The mountainous terrains of Himachal made Ajay strong and sturdy. His stamina also increased from training there. His cousin Rakesh was a part of the national kabaddi team. Seeing Rakesh represent the country, Ajay was tremendously inspired. He decided to pursue a career in kabaddi as well. Ajay has two siblings, Disha Thakur and Abhinandan Chandel.
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Ajay Thakur Net Worth
As of 2026, Ajay Thakur net worth is estimated to be around ₹8-12 crore. Major sources of his income are PKL salary earned during his playing career and, later, as a coach. He also earned from match fees while representing the Indian Kabaddi team. Apart from all this, he also earns from sponsorships, endorsements, and mentoring.
Interesting Facts about Ajay Thakur
- Ajay Thakur is well-known as a do-or-die specialist. He has delivered during tight situations and tough games.
- When Ajay first started playing for the national team, he was very skinny.
- The best raider in India has many achievements in his name. He was a part of the winning team at the Incheon Asian Games, Dubai Kabaddi Masters, and the World Cup 2016.
- When he was ten years old, Ajay ran from his house to participate in a kabaddi competition.
- Ajay Thakur was selected for the Indian National Kabaddi team when he was just 19. From being a younger player who was mocked for being too skinny to leading the side to victory at numerous tournaments, he sure has come a long way.
- His frog jump and hand-touching-point style make him deadly for the opponents. Ajay is definitely one of the swiftest players in the current champions. His height also plays an important part.
- He was honored with the Himachal Excellence Award in 2014.
- He is a member of the Himachal Pradesh Police Service cadre.
- Ajay is a big fan of boxing and wrestling. If not Kabaddi, he would have definitely pursued either of the two.
- His hobbies include listening to music and traveling.
Ajay Thakur Wife
Ajay Thakur married Sandeep Rana on April 10, 2019 in Himachal Pradesh. Sandeep prefers to stay away from public eye. She rarely attends public events. The couple has a daughterAnaya Thakur, who was born in April 2021.
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Achievements
| Year | Tournament / Award | Medal / Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Asian Indoor Games | Gold | Won gold with the Indian men’s kabaddi team. |
| 2013 | Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games | Gold | Helped India win another international gold medal. |
| 2014 | Asian Games (Incheon) | Gold | Member of the Indian team that defeated Iran in the final. |
| 2016 | Kabaddi World Cup (Ahmedabad) | Gold | India’s highest scorer (68 points), best raider, and Man of the Tournament. Played a famous four-point raid in the final against Iran. |
| 2017 | Asian Kabaddi Championship (Gorgan) | Gold | Captained India to the championship title. |
| 2018 | Kabaddi Masters Dubai | Gold | Led India to the title as captain. |
| 2018 | Asian Games (Jakarta) | Bronze | Captained India to a bronze medal. |
| 2019 | Padma Shri | National Honour | Received India’s fourth-highest civilian award for his contribution to kabaddi. |
| 2019 | Arjuna Award | National Sports Award | Honored for his outstanding achievements in kabaddi. |
| 2020 | Senior National Kabaddi Championship | Team Captain | Captained Himachal Pradesh in the Senior National Championship. |
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FAQs
Who is Ajay Thakur in kabaddi?
Ajay Thakur is a former Indian Kabaddi player and the former captain of the Indian National Kabaddi Team. He was awarded the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award in 2019 for his outstanding contributions to kabaddi.
What is the net worth of Ajay Thakur in rupees?
The estimated net worth of Ajay Thakur in 2025 is around Rs. 10-15 Crore.
What is the coach of Puneri Paltan?
Former Kabaddi player Ajay Thakur has taken charge as the head coach of Puneri Paltan for Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025.
What notable achievement did Ajay Thakur accomplish in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup?
Ajay Thakur scored a Super 10 in the final against Iran, contributing significantly to India’s victory in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup.
What is called the king of kabaddi?
Ajay Thakur is nicknamed the “Ice Man” and “King of Kabaddi” due to his exceptional skills and performance in the sport.
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