Kabaddi has transformed from a traditional Indian sport into an international spectacle. The rise of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has brought the sport to millions of fans, while players from India, Iran and other countries have demonstrated that world-class kabaddi talent can come from different backgrounds.
The modern game requires much more than strength. Elite kabaddi players need speed, agility, stamina, tactical intelligence, balance and the ability to make split-second decisions. Raiders must find ways to escape defenders, while defenders need perfect timing and coordination to stop some of the most athletic players in the sport.
India continues to produce a huge share of the world’s top kabaddi talent, but Iranian stars have also made an enormous impact on the international and professional scene. The Pro Kabaddi League’s official statistics show the dominance of players such as Pardeep Narwal, Maninder Singh, Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat and Naveen Kumar among the league’s leading raiders.
So, who are the top 10 kabaddi players in the world in 2026?
Our ranking considers overall ability, PKL performances, international achievements, consistency, individual records, leadership and influence on the sport.
1. Pardeep Narwal – India
When discussing the greatest kabaddi players in the world, Pardeep Narwal is almost impossible to leave out.
Known as the “Dubki King,” Narwal is arguably the most famous raider produced by the modern era of kabaddi. His ability to escape defenders using his trademark dubki has made him one of the most difficult players to tackle.
Pardeep’s record in the Pro Kabaddi League is extraordinary. According to the official PKL statistics, he has scored 1,801 raid points in 190 matches, the highest total in league history.
His incredible Season 5 campaign remains one of the greatest individual seasons in PKL history. He scored 369 points, including 369 raid points, and recorded 19 Super 10s.
Pardeep was also a key member of the Indian national team and won the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup.
His combination of experience, technique, record-breaking statistics and match-winning ability puts him at No. 1 on our list.
2. Pawan Sehrawat – India
Pawan Sehrawat, popularly known as the “Hi-Flyer,” is one of the most explosive raiders kabaddi has ever produced.
His biggest weapon is his ability to attack defenders with speed and extraordinary jumping ability. Pawan can turn a difficult situation into multiple points in just a few seconds.
His PKL statistics are remarkable. The official league records list him with 1,340 raid points, placing him among the most successful raiders in PKL history.
Pawan has also produced some of the most spectacular individual performances in league history. During one of his outstanding seasons, he scored 346 raid points and established a record of 39 points in a single match.
Another indication of his value came at the auction, where Telugu Titans purchased him for ₹2.605 crore, making him the most expensive player in PKL history at that time.
When fully fit and in rhythm, Pawan remains one of the most dangerous raiders in world kabaddi.
3. Mohammadreza Shadloui – Iran
Iran has become one of the strongest forces in modern kabaddi, and Mohammadreza Shadloui is one of the biggest reasons.
Unlike specialist raiders, Shadloui is an outstanding all-rounder who can contribute at both ends of the mat.
His PKL career has been particularly impressive. In Season 11, playing for Haryana Steelers, he scored 82 tackle points and 57 raid points, helping the team win its first PKL championship. He was named the season’s Most Valuable Player.
Shadloui has also demonstrated extraordinary defensive efficiency. The official PKL statistics list him with 391 career tackle points in 109 matches and an average of 3.59 tackle points per match.
His physical strength, aggressive tackling and ability to contribute in attack make him one of the most complete players in the sport.
He is also one of the most expensive players in PKL history, with Puneri Paltan paying ₹2.35 crore for him ahead of Season 10.
4. Fazel Atrachali – Iran
Fazel Atrachali, known as “The Sultan,” is arguably the greatest defender in Pro Kabaddi League history.
While raiders usually receive the biggest headlines, Fazel has built his reputation by consistently stopping the best attackers in the league.
The official PKL statistics show that Atrachali has recorded 597 tackle points in 207 matches, the highest total in league history.
In July 2026, Pro Kabaddi highlighted another remarkable achievement: Fazel leads the league’s all-time High 5 charts with 36 High 5s.
His experience is another major advantage. Fazel has played for several PKL franchises and has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to organise a defence and make crucial tackles.
He became the first defender in PKL history to cross the ₹1 crore mark at auction, and later became the league’s most expensive defender when Puneri Paltan bought him for ₹1.38 crore.
For defensive excellence and longevity, Fazel is difficult to match.
5. Naveen Kumar – India
Naveen Kumar, popularly known as “Naveen Express,” is one of the most exciting raiders of the modern generation.
His greatest weapon is his incredible speed. Naveen can quickly enter the opponent’s half, execute a successful touch and return before defenders can organise themselves.
The official PKL statistics list Naveen with 1,120 raid points in 111 matches, demonstrating how quickly he has climbed the league’s all-time charts.
Naveen has also won the PKL Most Valuable Player award and has repeatedly delivered high-scoring performances for Dabang Delhi K.C. The official Pro Kabaddi history notes his importance to Dabang Delhi’s success and his MVP recognition.
His consistency, speed and ability to score Super 10s make him one of the most feared raiders in the sport.
At his age, Naveen still has plenty of time to add more records to his already impressive career.
6. Maninder Singh – India
Maninder Singh is another legendary Indian raider who has remained among the most reliable attackers in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Known for his strength, powerful running hand touches and ability to fight through defenders, Maninder has been one of the league’s most consistent performers.
According to the official PKL statistics, he has accumulated 1,568 raid points in 165 matches, making him the second-highest raid-point scorer in league history behind Pardeep Narwal.
One of Maninder’s biggest qualities is durability. Season after season, he has carried a significant portion of his team’s attacking responsibility.
He has also played an important role for Bengal WarriorZ and has been one of the most valuable senior players in the league.
His experience and ability to score against strong defensive units make him a natural choice for this list.
7. Arjun Deshwal – India
Arjun Deshwal represents the new generation of elite kabaddi raiders.
His game is based on speed, precision and consistency. Rather than relying purely on physical power, Arjun often uses timing and footwork to create openings in the defence.
The official PKL statistics currently list him with 1,383 raid points in 132 matches, putting him third among all players in career raid points.
Arjun has also won the PKL Most Valuable Player award. The official Pro Kabaddi history notes that he topped the raiding charts and helped Jaipur Pink Panthers win the Season 9 championship.
His ability to repeatedly score points while avoiding unnecessary risks has made him one of the most dependable raiders in the league.
At his current trajectory, Arjun has the potential to challenge the records established by the older generation of PKL stars.
8. Nitesh Kumar – India
While raiders often dominate headlines, Nitesh Kumar demonstrates why defence is equally important in kabaddi.
The experienced defender has established himself as one of India’s most dependable defensive players.
In PKL Season 11, Nitesh recorded 77 tackle points in 22 matches, including eight High 5s, and was named the league’s Best Defender.
The official PKL statistics currently list him with 422 career tackle points in 161 matches, placing him among the league’s all-time defensive leaders.
His timing, strength and ability to read raiders make him especially effective in the defensive third.
Nitesh may not have the same celebrity profile as some of the sport’s biggest raiders, but his contribution to winning matches is enormous.
9. Ashu Malik – India
Ashu Malik has quickly developed into one of India’s most exciting modern raiders.
Playing for Dabang Delhi K.C., Ashu has demonstrated excellent movement, confidence and scoring ability.
The official PKL statistics show that he has already accumulated 882 raid points in 105 matches, a significant total for a relatively young player.
His rise has been particularly impressive because he has had to perform under pressure alongside established stars.
Ashu has also featured prominently among the league’s leading raiders in recent seasons. His ability to combine speed with intelligent decision-making makes him a dangerous attacking option.
With more experience, he could become one of the defining raiders of the next generation.
10. Manjeet Chhillar – India
Rounding out our list is one of the most respected names in kabaddi history: Manjeet Chhillar.
Nicknamed the “One Man Army,” Chhillar was one of the most complete players of his generation. He could contribute both in defence and attack, making him an extremely valuable all-rounder.
The official Pro Kabaddi website describes him as a two-time Best Defender award winner and notes that he was also an MVP winner.
His career defensive numbers remain impressive. The current PKL statistics list Chhillar with 391 tackle points in 132 matches.
What makes Chhillar particularly important is his influence on the development of modern professional kabaddi. He helped demonstrate how an all-rounder could change the course of a match through both attacking and defensive contributions.
His legacy continues to influence younger generations of kabaddi players.
Honorable Mentions
Several outstanding players narrowly missed our top 10.
Rahul Chaudhari, one of the original superstars of the Pro Kabaddi League, remains one of the most recognizable names in the sport. Sachin Tanwar is another highly accomplished raider, while Surjeet Singh has established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders.
The next generation also includes exciting names such as Ayan Lohchab, Devank, Navdeep and Yogesh. In Season 12, Ayan was named Best Raider after scoring 316 raid points, while Navdeep won Best Defender with 73 tackle points. Fazel Atrachali was named the season’s MVP.
These emerging players demonstrate that the future of kabaddi is in excellent hands.
What Makes a Great Kabaddi Player?
Ranking kabaddi players is much more complicated than simply counting points.
For raiders, factors such as successful raids, Super 10s, raid success rate, ability to perform under pressure and consistency are important.
For defenders, tackle points, High 5s, Super Tackles, defensive positioning and the ability to stop elite raiders are crucial.
All-rounders require an even wider skill set because they must contribute at both ends of the mat.
Leadership and international performance are also important. A player who can perform consistently in the Pro Kabaddi League and represent their country successfully deserves additional recognition.
That is why our ranking combines statistics with overall impact rather than relying on one particular number.
Final Thoughts
Kabaddi has entered an exciting period in its history. The sport is becoming increasingly professional, and leagues such as the Pro Kabaddi League have helped create global stars.
Pardeep Narwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, Maninder Singh and Arjun Deshwal represent India’s incredible raiding tradition, while Mohammadreza Shadloui and Fazel Atrachali demonstrate the extraordinary quality of Iranian kabaddi.
