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Kabaddi, especially the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), is known for its intense raiding. Raiders are the architects of points in this fast-paced sport. Every PKL season brings new heroes, and the question about the best raider in the history of the tournament always sparks heated discussions.
Therefore, it is now time to explore the list of incredibly talented raiders who dominated this stage. Who is the best raider in PKL history? Let's find out.
1. Pardeep Narwal (Left Raider)
- Raid Points: 1801
- Matches: 190
- Teams played for in PKL: Patna Pirates, UP Yoddhas, Bengaluru Bulls
Pardeep Narwal tops the chart with 1801 raid points, which earns him the title of best raider in PKL history. He is one of the greatest in the history of Kabbadi and holds multiple raiding records.
Known as the "Dubki King," his signature "dubki" move, where he ducks under defenders, has earned him countless points. His ability to change the course of a game has led the Patna Pirates to 3 straight titles in the Pro Kabaddi League.
2. Maninder Singh (Raider)
- Raid Points: 1528
- Matches: 158
- Teams played for in PKL: Jaipur Pink Panthers, Bengal Warriors
The captain and lead raider of Bengal Warriors, Maninder Singh holds the second position with 1528 points. He is one of the most reliable and consistent sources of the team. He is particularly effective with hand touches and running hand touches.
Maninder led Bengal Warriors to their maiden PKL trophy in 2019, which speaks volumes about his skill and stature.
3. Pawan Kumar Sehrawat (Raider)
- Raid Points: 1318
- Matches: 139
- Teams played for in PKL: Bengaluru Bulls, Gujarat Giants, Telugu Titans, Tamil Thalaivas
The "Hi-Flyer," Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, has scored 1318 points, which is the third-highest in the list. He had an amazing journey in this tournament and achieved most raid points in 3 consecutive seasons (2018, 2019, 2021).
Pawan's aggressive approach and ability to inflict all-out attacks quickly have made him one of the most feared raiders. He also became the most expensive player in PKL history when he got picked up by Tamil Thalaivas for ā¹2.26 crores in the 9th season.
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4. Arjun Deshwal (Raider)
- Raid Points: 1174
- Matches: 114
- Teams played for in PKL: Jaipur Pink Panthers
Arjun Deshwal has rapidly risen at the top and clinched the title of "Raid Machine," with 1174 points and brilliant techniques. He was a key part of the Jaipur Pink Panthers in their 2022 victory.
Deshwal's ability to earn crucial points, especially in do-or-die raids, has made him this successful. He was also part of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
5. Naveen Kumar (Raider)
- Raid Points: 1102
- Matches: 107
- Teams played for in PKL: Dabang Delhi K.C
Naveen Kumar is one of the youngest and fastest raiders in the league. With 1102 raid points, he has consistently achieved Super 10s and holds the record for most consecutive Super 10s in the tournament's history.
His quick movement, combined with hand and toe touches, makes him a nightmare for the opposition.
6. Rahul Chaudhari (Raider)
- Raid Points: 1045
- Matches: 154
- Teams played for in PKL: Telugu Titans, Tamil Thalaivas, Jaipur Pink Panthers
The former Kabaddi star, Rahul Chaudhari, had a phenomenal PKL journey, having scored 1045 points in 154 matches. After starting off as a defender, his transformation into one of the most successful raiders was fascinating.
Rahul was the first player to reach 500, 700, and 800 points, and still stands strong in the top 10 after his retirement.
7. Sachin Tanwar (Raider)
- Raid Points: 1034
- Matches: 145
- Teams played for in PKL: Gujarat Giants, Patna Pirates, Tamil Thalaivas
Sachin Tanwar is a versatile raider known for his call presence and under-pressure performance. Since his 2017 debut, he has scored 1034 total points, which is quite impressive and comes in handy for the teams he represents.
He has the ability to change and adapt his style to different match situations, which makes him a key raiding option.
8. Deepak Niwas Hooda (All-Rounder)
- Raid Points: 1020
- Matches: 157
- Teams played for in PKL: Telugu Titans, Puneri Paltan, Jaipur Pink Panthers
Deepak Niwas Hooda is the 8th player to have 1000+ raid points in PKL history. While listed as an all-rounder, his 1020 points in 157 matches show how capable he is in raiding.
Hooda is known for his experience, leadership, and has a variety of medal records in Kabaddi tournaments (2016 Kabaddi World Cup, 2018 Asian Games, South Asian Games, etc).