Top 10 kabaddi players of all time

1. Pardeep Narwal

Few players have left such a notable mark on kabaddi as the man affectionally nicknamed the “Dubki King”. The UP Yoddah legend is widely regarded as the best raider ever in the sport and boasts an unmatched list of achievements, including being the only player ever to hit 1,600 points in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and the most super raids in a season.

However, Narwal’s legacy extends beyond the PKL, as he has also won the Kabaddi World Cup in 2016, Asian Kabaddi Championship in 2017, and South Asian Games in 2019.

2. Naveen Kumar

While Naveen Kumar is still regarded as a rising star in some circles, he has showcased impressive skill alongside his immense potential. Most notably, he scored more than 10 points in all but one of the 23 matches he played in PKL Season 7.

His back-to-back MVP awards and stellar performances, like his Super 10 in the PKL Season 8 final, has already cemented his status as one of the sport's greats and prompted comparisons to the likes of Narwal. All eyes are now on the 24-year-old to see what he can achieve next.

3. Deepak Niwas Hooda

Deepak Hooda's journey from tragedy to triumph is perhaps one of the most inspiring stories in kabaddi history. Despite early hardships including losing both of his parents at a young age, he has emerged as one of kabaddi's most formidable all-rounders. The former India captain also boasts over 1,000 points, 250 tackles, and 2,150 raids in his PKL career.

4. Anup Kumar

Revered as the “God of kabaddi”, Kumar is deservedly rated as one of the game's most prolific raiders, having enjoyed very successful spells with both U Mumba and the Jaipur Pink Panthers. His illustrious career was capped by captaining India to gold at both the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games, also picking up the MVP award at the latter tournament.

5. Rahul Chaudhari

Rahul “The Raid Machine” Chaudhari is a rare gem in professional kabaddi, having successfully transitioned from being one of the top defenders in the sport to a leading raider. Known for his spectacular toe touch raid, he's considered a showman on the court (and famed for his lavish lifestyle).

As only the third ever player to hit 1,000 raid points in the PKL, Chaudhari continues to dominate with the Jaipur Pink Panthers and recently led Uttar Pradesh to the National Games title.

6. Pawan Kumar Sehrawat

Delhi-born raider Sehrawat has amassed over a thousand career points, thanks to his relentless work ethic and solo game-turning abilities that also make him the star of the Bengaluru Bulls. Having consistently led the PKL for points-per-game average, many fans feel that he rivals Pardeep Narwal for offensive ability.

His performances during PKL Season 6 were one of the best individual campaigns ever witnessed in the sport, and included a record-breaking 39-point game that earned him MVP honours.

7. Fazel Atrachali

It’s easy to make a case that Fazel Atrachali, known as the “Sultan”, is the best defensive player in PKL history. He produced a staggering 379 successful tackles and was the first player to surpass 400 tackle points in the PKL, leading him to the tournament’s Best Defender award twice.

His standout moment was during PKL season 7, when his 82 tackle points showcased his unparalleled skill. He also captained Iran to victory at the 2018 Asian Games.

8. Maninder Singh

Maninder Singh, the Bengal Warriors' tactical maestro, is a force to be reckoned with. His 1,004 career points reflect his mastery of the do-or-die raid, combined with his remarkable speed and agility.

Deposit some recent setbacks from injuries, he remains unstoppable, and has set records like being the quickest ever player to reach 400 and 500 raid points. Should such a trajectory continue, he will easily become one of kabaddi's all-time greats.

9. Ajay Thakur

At 36, Ajay Thakur remains a kabaddi legend, who is still capable of dazzling fans with his raids. With notable stints at the Bengaluru Bulls and Tamil Thalaivas to his name, both his consistency and trophy hauls (including gold at the 2017 Asian Championships) are eye-catching. He has amassed over 800 points and 110 matches in his career, and epitomizes experience and quality in the sport.

10. Manjeet Chhillar

Manjeet Chhillar stands out as one of the PKL's most skilled all-rounders, who is celebrated for his defensive prowess. His tactical brilliance and quick reactions make him a formidable force on the mat and have also led to him being a two-time winner at the Asian Games and named the PKL’s MVP in 2015.

Understanding who the best kabaddi players are and what they’re good at can help you out when you’re gambling online and playing games such as fantasy kabaddi. By looking into skilled players and their attributes, you can make more informed bets as to how matches are likely to play out.

Remember that a team is not guaranteed to win a match just because they have a player featured on this list, and even the greatest ever kabaddi stars can have bad days. However, reviewing the top kabaddi players is an easy way to improve your knowledge of the sport.