Devank Kabaddi Player Age & India’s Top Players Compared

Introduction – Devank’s Age and Why Fans Asking?

Photo courtesy of Khel Now.

In kabaddi, a player’s age often shapes their style, stamina and career trajectory. Devank kabaddi player age has trended as fans watch his rapid rise in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Comparing Devank’s age to other Indian stars reveals how youth and experience blend in this fast-paced sport. This article dives into Devank’s background, checks his exact age, and lines it up against top names like Shilu, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sudhakar and Sachin. Along the way, see how age correlates with performance and peak years.

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Devank Kabaddi Player Age – Verified Details

Early Life and Date of Birth

The player’s age and rise to fame are closely tied to his breakthrough in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11, his journey in the Indian Army, and his national‑level success. Here’s the latest on devank kabaddi player age, supported by current news sources.

Early Life and Age Confirmation

• Date of Birth: 1 April 2000
  
• Age in 2025: 25 years old

He hails from Rohtak, Haryana, and balanced early sports interests like football and cricket before choosing kabaddi in high school.

Career Timeline and Age Highlights

• 2022 (Age 22): Debuted in PKL Season 9 with Jaipur Pink Panthers in the New Young Player category, playing 5 matches and scoring 4 raid points. His team won the championship.
  
• 2023 (Age 23): Suffered injury in Season 10 and played only 1 match before being sidelined by Jaipur Panthers.
  
• 2024 (Age 24): Signed by Patna Pirates and emerged as PKL Season 11’s Top Raider, scoring 301 raid points and 18 Super 10s with a 71% strike rate. Also named Best Player in the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship, leading the Services team to title via a final tie-breaker.
  
• 2025 (Age 25): Bought by Bengal Warriors in PKL Season 12 auction for a record ₹2.205 crore, making him the most expensive Indian player in PKL history.

Devank’s Age and Success

• At just 24–25, he achieved the rare feat of crossing 300 raid points in a season, joining an elite group in PKL history.
  
• His rapid rise mirrors trends seen in top raiders like Naveen Kumar and Pardeep Narwal, who also reached peak form in their mid-twenties.
  
• Devank’s age puts him at a prime intersection of speed, agility and tactical growth—characteristics often seen in the best kabaddi raiders in India.

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Devank Dalal’s Age & Milestones

Year	Age	Milestone
2022	22	PKL debut with Jaipur Pink Panthers
2023	23	Season cut short by injury
2024	24	Top Raider of PKL 11; 301 raid points; Best National Player
2025	25	Record PKR ₹2.205 crore transfer to Bengal Warriors

These verified figures and major news milestones confirm Devank’s age and explain why it matters: early exposure, rapid progress, and standout achievements all before turning 25 give kabaddi fans a clear sense that his best is still ahead.

Devank Dalal – Rising Raider

• Age: 24 (born 1 April 2000)
  
• Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers (2025)
  
• PKL Debut: Season 10 (2023)
  
• 2024 Season Performance: 301 raid points in 25 matches
  

Highlight: Youngest raider in 2024 to hit 300+ raid points

Pardeep Narwal – “Dubki King”

• Age: 28 (born 16 February 1997)
  
• Team: Patna Pirates
  
• PKL Debut: Season 3 (2016)
  
• Career Tally: Over 2,100 raid points (all-time highest)
  
• Awards:
  
  • PKL Most Valuable Player (2017)
    
  • Four-time PKL Top Raider (Seasons 5, 6, 7, 8)

Naveen Kumar – “Naveen Express”

• Age: 25 (born 14 June 2000)
  
• Team: Bengaluru Bulls
  
• PKL Debut: Season 7 (2019)
  
• Career Tally: 1,800+ raid points, including 360 in Season 8 (single-season record)
  
• Awards:
  
  • PKL Most Valuable Player (2019)
    
  • Youngest to hit 200 raid points in debut season

Rahul Chaudhari – “Showman”

• Age: 31 (born 16 August 1993)
  
• Team: Tamil Thalaivas
  
• PKL Debut: Season 1 (2014)
  
• Career Tally: 2,000+ raid points (second only to Pardeep)
  
• Awards:
  
  • First PKL player to reach 1,000 raid points
    
  • Multiple seasons as top five raiders

Manjeet Chhillar – “Defensive Wall”

• Age: 38 (born 14 September 1986)
  
• Team: Tamil Thalaivas (Defender)
  
• PKL Debut: Season 2 (2015)
  
• Career Tally: 450+ tackle points; 200+ raid points as an all-rounder
  
• Awards:
  
  • PKL Best Defender (Season 3)
    
  • Arjuna Award recipient (2019)

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Age, Points & Awards Comparison

Player Name	Age	Position (if specified)	PKL Debut	Current Team (as of PKL 2025)	Career Raid Points	Career Tackle Points	Major Awards & Highlights
Devank Dalal	24	Raider	Season 10 (2023)	Bengal Warriorz	301 (2024 season)	–	Youngest raider in 2024 to hit 300+ raid points
Pardeep Narwal	28	Raider	Season 3 (2016)	Patna Pirates	2,100+ (all-time highest)	–	PKL Most Valuable Player (2017); Four-time PKL Top Raider (Seasons 5, 6, 7, 8)
Naveen Kumar	25	Raider	Season 7 (2019)	Haryana Steelers	1,800+	–	PKL Most Valuable Player (2019); Youngest to hit 200 raid points in debut season; Single-season record of 360 raid points in Season 8
Rahul Chaudhari	31	Raider	Season 1 (2014)	Tamil Thalaivas	2,000+ (second all-time highest)	–	First PKL player to reach 1,000 raid points; Multiple seasons as top five raiders
Manjeet Chhillar	38	All-rounder (Defender)	Season 2 (2015)	Currently assistant coach for Telugu Titans. Last played for Dabang Delhi in PKL Season 8.	200+	450+	PKL Best Defender (Season 3); Arjuna Award recipient (2019); PKL Most Valuable Player (2015)

Other Rising and Star Players – Age, Stats & Hometown

While Devank Dalal’s rapid rise has made headlines, fans are also curious about other standout names in the Pro Kabaddi League. Here’s a closer look at Shilu, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sudhakar, and Sachin, as well as expert insights on who is the best kabaddi player in India today.

Shilu Kabaddi Player Age – The Emerging Defender

• Full Name: Shilu Sharma
• Age: 22 (born 2003)
• Position: Right Corner Defender
• Team: Dabang Delhi K.C. (Season 10 debut)
• Shilu is part of the new wave of defenders showing aggressive tackling styles with solid ankle and thigh holds. His young age puts him in the development curve seen in many elite defenders early in their careers. Though his career is based on an internet kabaddi competition, we might see him soon playing in the Pro League.

Vishal Bhardwaj Kabaddi Player Age – Defensive Pillar

• Age: 26 (born 1 January 1998)
• Position: Left Corner Defender
• Team: Bengal Warriors (formerly Telugu Titans)
• Known for his powerful blocks and signature dashes, Vishal has been a consistent name in the league’s top defender list since 2017. At 26, he brings maturity and stability to the backline, and he was part of India’s 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship team.

Sudhakar Kabaddi Player Age & Village Name – Silent Raider

• Full Name: S. Sudhakar
• Age: 25 (born 1999)
• Village: Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
• Team: Tamil Thalaivas
• A quiet yet deadly raider, Sudhakar made headlines for consistent scoring despite limited opportunities. Sudhakar kabaddi player village name rooting back to Tamil Nadu’s kabaddi culture and traditional raiding style add value to Thalaivas’ bench strength.

Sachin Kabaddi Player Age – The Calm Finisher

• Full Name: Sachin Tanwar
• Age: 24 (born 19 July 1999)
• Team: Patna Pirates
• One of India’s most reliable raiders in crunch moments, Sachin blends aggression with precision. His performances in Season 9 and 10 made him a top contender for India’s national squad, and his calm demeanor under pressure is widely praised.

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Who Is the Best Kabaddi Player in India Right Now?

This question depends on metrics—scoring, tackles, team leadership, and consistency. Based on Pro Kabaddi League performance and international duties:

Top Contenders (2024–2025):

Player	Strength	Team	Notable Highlight
Pardeep Narwal	Record-breaking Raider	U.P. Yoddhas	Most raid points in PKL history
Naveen Kumar	Speed and fitness	Dabang Delhi K.C.	Youngest MVP in PKL history
Devank Dalal	Explosive breakout season	Bengal Warriors	301 raid points in Season 11
Aslam Inamdar	All-rounder with technique	Puneri Paltan	Known for calm gameplay and all-round value
Sachin Tanwar	Finishing raids	Patna Pirates	Consistency and performance in clutch matches

Based on overall stats, Pardeep Narwal still leads historically, but Naveen Kumar and Devank Dalal are strong contenders for the current crown. Devank’s performance in 2024 has especially shifted attention toward younger raiders.

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Who Is the Best Kabaddi Player in India – Age vs Performance

Photo courtesy of Pro Kabaddi League.

Deciding the “best” kabaddi player in India means looking beyond raw talent to how age impacts consistency, peak performance and career longevity. Let’s compare our five stars—Devank Dalal, Pardeep Narwal, Naveen Kumar, Rahul Chaudhari and Manjeet Chhillar—through the lens of age versus on-court success.

Peak Performance Windows

• Young Raiders (23–25 years) like Devank Dalal (24) and Naveen Kumar (25) combine explosive speed with growing match awareness. Devank’s 301 raid points in 2024 and Naveen’s record-breaking 360 in Season 8 show that raiders often hit big numbers in their mid-twenties.
  
• Established Raiders (26–31 years) such as Pardeep Narwal (28) and Rahul Chaudhari (31) deliver high-volume raids while drawing on experience. Pardeep’s 2,100+ career points and four Top Raider awards span seasons 5–8, highlighting a multi-year prime from age 24 to 30. Rahul reached 1,000 points by Season 4 and still ranks among the top five raiders at age 31.
  
• Veteran Defenders (35+ years) like Manjeet Chhillar (38) prove that defenders can sustain top form well into their late thirties. His 450+ tackle points and a Best Defender award in Season 3 reflect decades of skill and anticipation.

Key Metrics by Age Group

1. Raid Points per Season
   
   • Ages 23–25: 300–360 points (Devank, Naveen)
     
   • Ages 26–31: 250–300+ points (Pardeep, Rahul)
     
2. Tackle Success & Longevity
   
   • Ages 28–38: 60–65% tackle success (Manjeet, transitioning into coaching roles later)

Case Study: Naveen Kumar vs. Pardeep Narwal

• Naveen hit a career-high 360 raid points at age 19–20, an all-time PKL single-season record. His youth, agility and fearless style set a new bar for raiders.
  
• Pardeep, two seasons earlier, notched 369 points at age 20 and then won four Top Raider awards in his mid-twenties. His signature “dubki” move kept opponents guessing even as he aged into his thirties .

Awards vs Age

• Emerging Player Awards often go to raiders aged 20–23 (e.g., Devank, Sachin Tanwar).
  
• MVP and Top Raider honors peak between 24–28, when stamina, skill and experience align.
  
• Best Defender accolades favor ages 28–32 for players like Manjeet and Vishal Bhardwaj.

Raid Points, Tackle Success and Age Correlation

Plotting top raid point leaders against age shows most fall between 25–30 years. Younger talents like Devank (24) and Sachin (23) break in early but peak raids—over 300 points per season—often come at 26–28. Defenders like Vishal (29) maintain high tackle rates into their early thirties.

Awards, Records and Peak Age Ranges

• Super 10s & High 5s: Raiders tend to hit frequent Super 10s (10+ raid points) around 24–27 years.
  
• Defensive Awards: Best Defender awards skew to 28–31 for reading power combined with strength.
  
• Case Study: Pardeep Narwal scored 360 raid points at age 26 in Season 8, marking the common peak age.

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Hometown Influence on Style

Sudhakar’s village of Baramati, Maharashtra, emphasizes ground drills on uneven fields. His age (23) plus this background gives him a low center of gravity and quick ankle holds.

Age and Local Training Background

Starting at 14 in local tournaments, Sudhakar’s early training contrasted with academy-trained peers. By 18 he joined Pro Kabaddi setups, blending village grit with professional coaching.

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Age Trends in Kabaddi – What Fans Should Know

Kabaddi is a game of both speed and strategy, and age plays a huge role in how athletes perform on the mat. Whether it’s teenage raiders charging into their first league or seasoned defenders holding the line, understanding the age trends gives fans better insight into the sport’s unique demands.

What Is the Average Age of Kabaddi Players?

In professional kabaddi leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and international tournaments, most players fall between 21 and 30 years old. This is the age range where speed, stamina, and mental toughness are at their peak. Lets put Devank for example, Devank Kabaddi player age is around 17 when he started playing and breaking records when he is about 22.

• Raiders often start young—some debut at just 18 or 19—and peak between 22 and 26 years old. This is when their reflexes are fastest, and recovery is strong.
  
• Defenders, on the other hand, usually shine a bit later. Most reach their best performance between 26 and 32 years old, when match-reading and team coordination improve with experience.
  

Example: Naveen Kumar and Devank Dalal began breaking records before turning 23, while defenders like Manjeet Chhillar and Surjeet Singh delivered their best performances in their late twenties.

Check out our Kabaddi Players Name List for more detailed information on your favorite players and teams. 

Why Do Most Kabaddi Players Peak in Their 20s?

Photo courtesy of Live Mint.

Kabaddi matches are high-intensity. Players must sprint, wrestle, dodge, and think on the spot—all within seconds. As a result:

• Younger players bring speed and energy, helping in high-pace raids.
  
• Older players, especially defenders, use their experience to counter moves, making fewer mistakes under pressure.
  

This makes the 20s the perfect blend of raw physical ability and rising strategic understanding.

Youth Development Pathways in India

India has built a strong system to find and train kabaddi talent early:

1. School and Inter-District Competitions

• Many players start in under-14 or under-17 school leagues, where talent scouts watch closely.
  
• District- and state-level events often serve as stepping stones to professional leagues.
  

2. University and National Trials

• College teams feed into university championships, where standout players get picked for national camps.
  
• These tournaments give youth players exposure to trained coaches and fitness programs.
  

3. Pro Kabaddi New Young Player (NYP) Program

• The NYP initiative by PKL aims to bring 18–22-year-olds into the limelight.
  
• Each season, franchises select uncapped young talent to train and compete alongside senior players.
  

4. Kabaddi Academies and State Support

• Private and state-backed kabaddi academies offer structured training, nutrition, and physiotherapy.
  
• Programs run in Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and other kabaddi-strong states support long-term athletic development.
  

Kabaddi Careers Are Starting Earlier

Unlike older generations who entered the game in their mid-20s, today’s players often begin professionally before age 20. This has raised the level of competition and shortened the time to hit peak form.

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Summary Table – Age vs Performance in Kabaddi

Role	Average Debut Age	Peak Age Range	Key Traits
Raider	18–21	22–26	Speed, agility, stamina
Defender	22–25	26–32	Strength, timing, experience
All-Rounder	20–24	25–30	Balanced play, awareness

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For more on how these age trends shape the sport, explore our guides on:

• Top Indian Kabaddi Players
  
• Kabaddi Skills A to Z Guide
  
• Kabaddi Team Size Explained
  

These insights help you see kabaddi not just as a game of power, but also of preparation and long-term training, often starting in schoolyards across India.

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TL;DR – Quick Age Facts on Devank & Top Players

• Devank kabaddi player Age and Career: Devank Dalal is 25 years old, born in 2000. He started playing kabaddi at 17, debuted in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 10 at age 22, and as of 2024, he is a rising raider who scored over 300 points in 25 matches.
• Comparison with Other Players: The article compares Devank to other prominent players:
• Pardeep Narwal (28) is a veteran raider with the all-time highest career raid points.
• Naveen Kumar (25) is a young raider who holds the record for most points in a single season.
• Rahul Chaudhari (31) is another veteran raider and the second-highest all-time scorer.
• Manjeet Chhillar (38) is a former player and defender who has now transitioned into a coaching role.
• Peak Performance and Age: The article suggests that raiders typically hit their peak between 25 and 29, while defenders peak slightly later, between 28 and 32. Devank, at 24, is considered to be at the start of his peak years.
• Player Development: Modern kabaddi players like Devank and Sachin often begin their training in junior camps and school leagues around ages 12-14, moving on to academies by 17-18 and making their PKL debut in their early 20s.

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FAQ – Your Top Questions on Kabaddi Player Ages

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Final Thoughts – Age’s Role in Kabaddi Success

Age sets the scene but does not seal fate. Devank’s 24 years bring his best raiding days ahead, while veterans like Vishal at 29 show defense can thrive later. Balancing youthful energy and seasoned skill, India’s kabaddi stars prove that every age group has its champions. For more on rules and players, explore Beginners’ Guide to Kabaddi, Top Indian Kabaddi Players and Pro Kabaddi Player List 2025 here on VIPJEE, South Asia’s trusted casino authority.