PKL 12: Top five oldest players in Pro Kabaddi 2025

Three out of five are overseas players.

The 12th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League will commence on Friday, August 29, with Tamil Thalaivas taking on Telugu Titans in the first match of the season. PKL 12 group stage will be held across four cities: Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai, and Delhi.

All 12 franchises have formed their squads for the upcoming season with a mix of experienced players and budding youngsters. Several older players, who have been part of the PKL setup for years, will also be seen in action during the 12th edition.

On that note, let’s take a look at the five oldest players in PKL 12:

5. Jang Kun Lee – 32 years

Korean raider Jang Kun Lee will ply his trade for the Bengal Warriorz in the upcoming edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on 6th November 1992, the 32-year-old player is the fifth-oldest player competing in the 12th edition.

Lee began his PKL career with the Warriorz in the inaugural edition. He played six seasons with the Bengal-based franchise from PKL 2014 to 2018, before moving to the Patna Pirates in 2019. The Korean player returned to PKL last season and was part of the runners-up Pirates’ squad.

Also Read: PKL 12: How will new Tie-Breaking rule work in league stage matches? Explained

4. Fazel Atrachali – 33 years

Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali is the fourth-oldest player who’ll be in action during the 12th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. He was born on March 29, 1992, and is 33 years old. Fazel finds a new home in Dabang Delhi for the upcoming season.

Over the years, Fazel has played for five PKL teams across 10 seasons. He began his PKL campaign with U Mumba and served the club for two seasons before playing one season each with Patna Pirates and Gujarat Giants.

The Iranian returned to U Mumba for the next three seasons and then played a season each with Puneri Paltan, Gujarat Giants, and Bengal Warriorz.

3. Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibaksh – 33 years

Born on September 17, 1991, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibaksh is 33 years old ahead of the upcoming edition of the PKL. The Iranian all-rounder will turn 34 during the season, where he’ll be in action with Puneri Paltan for his second stint with the franchise. He earlier played for the Puner-based club in PKL Season 9.

The Iranian player played his first two PKL seasons with the Bengal Warriorz and was part of the Gujarat Giants‘ squad for the last couple of seasons.

Also Read: PKL 12: What is Play-ins? Know about new rule introduced in Play-offs

2. Surjeet Singh – 35 years

Surjeet Singh is the second-oldest player who’ll be on the mat in the 2025 edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on 10th August 1990, the Indian defender will ply his trade for Dabang Delhi in the upcoming season.

He has played for seven PKL teams, namely Puneri Paltan (2 seasons), Bengal Warriorz (2 seasons), and one season each with U Mumba, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Telugu Titans, Tamil Thalaivas, and Bengaluru Bulls. The Delhi-based franchise will be his eighth team in 10 seasons.

1. Maninder Singh – 35 years

Aged 35, Maninder Singh will be the oldest player in PKL Season 12. He was born on 31 January 1990. The Indian raider played for Jaipur Pink Panthers in the first edition of the Pro Kabaddi League and returned to the competition in the fifth season.

Ahead of PKL Season 5, Maninder signed with the Bengal Warriorz and played seven consecutive seasons with the Bengal franchise. Before he was let go ahead of the PKL Season 12 auction. He was roped in by Patna Pirates in the PKL 12 auction for his base price of INR 20 lakhs.

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