Kabaddi is a game that originated in ancient India. It's such a thrilling sport to watch as an audience, but sadly, kabaddi players in India are yet to be known on that level where we have taken cricketers as fans. Kabaddi has some basic rules. There are 7 players on each side, and it is played for 40 minutes with a 5-minute break. Here we talk about the top 10 kabaddi players in India and abroad who have not missed any chance to showcase their talent and extraordinary skills on an international level, like Pardeep Narwal, Manjeet Chhillar, and many more.

Top 10 Kabaddi Players in India and Abroad

Pardeep Narwal

Image Source – Pinterest

He was born on Feb 16, 1997. He hails from Haryana and currently plays for the Indian national kabaddi team. Pardeep also plays for UP Yoddha in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). He is currently one of the biggest sensations amongst the Kabaddi players in India. This 25-year-old helped Patna Pirates win the title (third time) in the 2017 season of the Pro Kabaddi League. He even became the best raider of that season.

Pardeep is also titled "Dubki King", a move where the raider ducks low off the ground and then launches himself up to escape from the grip of the opponent and earn some points. His 8-point raid against the Haryana Steelers in season 5 of the Pro Kabaddi League is one big golden moment of his career.

Manjeet Chhillar

Image Source: PKL

Manjeet Chhillar is an all-rounder and one of the best kabaddi players, and hence is named as "One man army" due to his amazing all-around skills. He was also a part of the Indian Kabaddi team, which won gold at the Asian Games 2014. His signature move is Block, where the defender places himself in the raider's way and blocks his way between him and the half line.

Fazel Atrachali

Source: PKL

This Iranian defender is one deadly Kabaddi player to look out for. He has the skill to hold down any raider within no time. He got famous after being a part of U Mumba, which won the PKL title in season 2. His signature move is Dash, which is an aggressive move in which a defender sprints across the mat and, using his force, the raider out of the boundary.

Anup Kumar

Image Source – Sportsmatik

He was a part of the Indian Kabaddi team when they earned Asian gold medals in 2010 and 2014. Anup Kumar is the Kabaddi Coach of the PKL Team Puneri Paltan. He is known for his strategies and was the highest scorer in season 1 of PKL, where he scored 169 points. He is known for "toe touch", a move that involves the extension of the leg to touch the feet of the defender's feet with just his toes.

Sandeep Narwal

Credits Firstpost

Sandeep was a defender first but then went on to become an all-rounder after brushing his raiding skills. He is one of the few all-rounders who has 200+ points in both raid and tackle points. His signature move is also Block, the same as Manjeet Chillar.

Meraj Sheykh

Image Source: PKL

Meraj is easily one of the best all-rounders and is currently playing for Dabang Delhi in PKL. His tackling and raiding skills are something to watch out for. He is an Iranian all-rounder who has led the Iranian kabaddi team in various tournaments. His signature move is a scorpion kick in which the raider turns towards the midline and then makes a sudden motion of his leg up to touch the defender, just like a scorpion would attack to sting.

Nitin Tomar

Credits Pro Kabaddi

This 26-year-old raider came to light after he literally rescued India in a do-or-die raid at the Kabaddi World Cup 2016 against Iran and ultimately won the game. He was the highest scorer for his side, UP Yoddha, in season 5 of PKL with a total of 177 points. His signature move is "running hand touch", it's a sudden move of moving toward the defender whilst stretching the whole body to touch the defender in a quick motion with his hands. He is a member of the Puneri Paltan team in PKL. He was the highest-selling player at the Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 auction and sold for 93 lakhs to UP Yoddha.

Rohit Kumar

Image Source- Telangana Today

Rohit started his PKL journey with a bang. He scored a total of 109 points for the Patna Pirates. He rose to fame after single-handedly picking up 32 points against UP Yoddha in season 5. His signature move is the "frog jump." The raider launches himself off the ground to touch the defenders and lands beyond their reach and gets back to his side.

Jang Kun Lee

Image Source: PKL

Jang is a Korean Raider who has a record for earning the most points by any overseas player in Pro Kabaddi. He has captained the Republic of Korea’s Kabaddi team for various international tournaments. His signature move is “Kick,” which involves extending the leg instead of your hand to touch the defender as quickly as possible.

Ajay Thakur

(credits: indulgexpress.com)

The former captain of the India Kabaddi Team needs no introduction. His stunning performance is one of the main reasons behind the victory of India at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. He was the top raider of that tournament. His experience also helped India win a Gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games 2014. With over 14 years of experience, he has always been a treat to watch for Kabaddi fans. His signature moves: Frog jump.

Rahul Chaudhari

Rahul kicked off his PKL career with the Telugu Titans during its inaugural season. He has also played for teams like Tamil Thalaivas, Puneri Paltan, and Jaipur Pink Panthers, securing his first PKL title with Jaipur in Season 9.

Notably, he was the first player in PKL history to reach over 500 raid points and eventually became a member of the exclusive 1000+ raid points club. His speed and raiding techniques make him a standout player.

On the international stage, Rahul has helped India shine by winning gold medals in the 2014 Asian Beach Games, the 2016 South Asian Games, and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. In 2017, he was honored with the Laxman Award by the Uttar Pradesh government, and in 2020, he became the brand ambassador for the state’s Dairy Department.

Conclusion

Kabaddi, a sport with strong ties to Indian culture, has come into its own on the world stage. It’s exciting to see how, thanks to talented players, kabaddi is earning popularity and respect both in India and beyond. While cricket may still be the king of sports in India, kabaddi is slowly capturing the hearts of millions.

Stars like Pardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari, Anup Kumar, and Manjeet Chhillar are leading the charge, showcasing their incredible skills and dedication. Their signature moves, such as the "Dubki," "Toe Touch," and "Frog Jump," have wowed fans and set a high bar for the game. International players like Fazel Atrachali and Jang Kun Lee have also contributed to bringing kabaddi to a broader audience.

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has played a crucial role in giving these athletes a platform to shine. It has not only created new stars but also highlighted some forgotten legends while building a dedicated fan base. With more media coverage and growing interest, kabaddi is steadily carving out its space alongside other popular sports.

Looking ahead, kabaddi has the potential to inspire young athletes, especially from rural India, where it originated. As we celebrate the achievements of current stars, we hope for a future where kabaddi receives the same recognition and support as more established sports.

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FAQs

Who is the No. 1 kabaddi player?

"Dubki King" Pardeep Narwal is the No. 1 kabaddi player in India. Pardeep has the highest number of raid points.

Who is the No. 1 player in Pro Kabaddi?

Pardeep Narwal is at the top of most lists, including total points, most points from raids, most successful raids, average points from raids, and most points from super raids in Pro Kabaddi.

Who are the top 5 kabaddi players?

Pardeep Narwal, Manjeet Chhillar, Fazel Atrachali, Anup Kumar, and Sandeep Narwal are the top 5 Kabaddi players.

Which kabaddi player is known as the "One Man Army"?

Manjeet Chhillar earned the nickname "One Man Army" due to his exceptional all-around skills in both raiding and defending.

Who is the best international kabaddi player?

Fazel Atrachali from Iran is considered the best international kabaddi player, known for his fearless defending and leadership in PKL.

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