In the vibrant world of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), the battle between raiders and defenders is nothing short of electrifying. Since its inception in 2014, the league has witnessed extraordinary feats, with athletes etching their names in the annals of kabaddi history. As the PKL continues to thrill fans across the globe, let’s dive into the numbers, stories, and defining moments that have shaped the league’s greatest raiders and defenders up to August 2025.
When you talk about raiding supremacy, one name towers above the rest: Pardeep Narwal. Dubbed the "Dubki King," Pardeep has redefined what it means to be a top raider. As of August 12, 2025, he leads the all-time PKL charts with a staggering 1801 raid points in 190 matches. His journey through the league has seen him don the jerseys of Bengaluru Bulls, Patna Pirates, and UP Yoddhas, but his legacy was cemented during his tenure with Patna, where he clinched three consecutive titles. The record books will forever remember Pardeep’s 369 raid points in Season 5—a single-season feat that still stands unmatched. Remarkably, he’s crossed the 300-point mark in a season three times, a testament to his relentless consistency and flair on the mat.
Chasing Pardeep is Maninder Singh, a model of consistency if there ever was one. With 1528 raid points in 158 matches, Maninder has been a steady force for his teams. While he’s never finished as the top raider in any season, his ability to rack up points game after game has made him a pillar in the league’s offensive landscape. Then there’s Pawan Sehrawat, the only player to top the seasonal raiding charts three times—Seasons 6, 7, and 8. Pawan’s best came in Season 7, where he amassed 346 points, and his 1318 raid points from 139 matches put him comfortably in third place among PKL’s all-time raiders.
The league’s elite list of raiders also features Arjun Deshwal (1174 raid points) and Naveen Kumar (1102 raid points). Naveen, known as the “Express” for Haryana Steelers, has become a fan favorite for his electrifying raids and knack for turning games on their head. His magic on the mat was recently recognized when he won the Fans’ Choice Favourite Super Raid award for Season 11. As the PKL’s popularity soars, Naveen’s highlight reels continue to capture the imagination of kabaddi enthusiasts everywhere.
But raiding is only half the story. The defenders—the unsung heroes who pin down the league’s most daring attackers—have also left an indelible mark on PKL history. Leading this pack is Fazel Atrachali, the Iranian powerhouse who has set the gold standard for defensive excellence. Fazel became the first player to reach 500 tackle points and, as of August 12, 2025, sits atop the leaderboard with 545 tackle points in 188 matches. His stints with Bengal Warriorz, Patna Pirates, and U Mumba have been defined by an uncanny ability to read raiders and deliver game-changing tackles. Fazel was the top-scoring defender in both Season 4 and Season 7, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s most feared stoppers.
Hot on Fazel’s heels is Surjeet Singh, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist and the highest-scoring Indian defender in PKL history. Surjeet has notched up 443 tackle points in 171 matches, consistently frustrating the league’s best raiders with his timing and tactical acumen. The defensive leaderboard also boasts names like Nitesh Kumar, who made history in Season 6 by becoming the first—and still only—player to record 100 tackle points in a single campaign for the UP Yoddhas. Mohammadreza Shadloui, meanwhile, has topped the tackle points leaderboard for three seasons, including a near-miss at the 100-point mark with 99 tackle points in Season 10 for Haryana Steelers.
The PKL’s defensive elite is rounded out by Manjeet Chhillar (391 points), Sunil Kumar (390), Girish Maruti Ernak (362), Sandeep Narwal (285), Parvesh Bhainswal (348), and Ravinder Pahal (339). Manjeet Chhillar holds a special place in league lore, having been the inaugural top defender with 51 tackle points for Bengaluru Bulls in Season 1 and repeating the feat in Season 3 for Puneri Paltan. Other season-by-season defensive standouts include Ravinder Pahal (Season 2), Surender Nada (Season 5), and Ankush (Season 9), each leaving their own unique stamp on the league.
Seasonal glory in both raiding and defending has been shared among a handful of legends. Anup Kumar was the first to top the raiding charts in Season 1, with Kashiling Adake and Rahul Chaudhari following in Seasons 2 and 4, respectively. More recently, Arjun Deshwal claimed the title in Season 9, while the honors in Season 10 were shared between Deshwal and Ashu Malik. Season 11 saw Devank Dalal emerge as the top raider with 301 points for Patna Pirates, further underscoring the league’s ever-evolving competitive landscape.
The PKL’s blend of statistical milestones and dramatic narratives keeps fans coming back for more. Whether it’s Pardeep Narwal’s gravity-defying “dubki,” Pawan Sehrawat’s acrobatic raids, or Fazel Atrachali’s bone-crunching tackles, the league has become a showcase for both individual brilliance and team strategy. The stories behind the numbers are what make kabaddi such a captivating spectacle—where every raid and every tackle can swing the momentum and ignite the crowd.
As the PKL mat continues to host epic showdowns, the debate over the greatest raider or defender rages on. Is it Pardeep’s record-breaking haul, Fazel’s defensive dominance, or Naveen’s electric energy that defines the league’s legacy? One thing’s for sure: with every new season, the bar gets higher, and the legends of Pro Kabaddi continue to grow. Fans can expect even more jaw-dropping performances, as the sport’s top stars push the boundaries of what’s possible on the kabaddi mat.
With the league’s biggest names still in action and new talents emerging each year, the Pro Kabaddi League remains a thrilling battleground for the sport’s finest. Whether you’re a die-hard kabaddi fan or a newcomer to the game, the excitement is palpable—and the next chapter is just a raid or a tackle away.
