Top 10 PKL stars to watch out for at National Games 2025
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Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal are among the top PKL stars that will be in action in Uttarakhand.
The National Games 2025 is scheduled to take place from January 28 to February 14 in Uttarakhand. The competition will see 10,000 athletes competing for the country’s highest honour in 32 sports disciplines. The Indian Olympic Association which conducts the games wants to focus more on traditional Indian sports like Kalarippayattu, Yogasana, Mallakhamb, and Rafting.
Kabaddi is one sport that is not only rooted in India but also has grown its presence globally. Eight teams will be competing in kabaddi which was selected on the basis of State Championships, Zonal Qualifiers, and National Championships.
Also Read: National Games 2025 full schedule, venues, dates, sports, all you need to know
Defending champions Services will again be competing with last year’s runners-up Haryana and Bronze medallists Chandigarh and Maharashtra. Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Rajasthan will join the battle along with the hosts Uttarakhand for the battle which is set for two weeks. Here’s a list of the top 10 PKL players who will be in action.
PKL players to watch out for in National Games 2025
#10 Ajit Chouhan – Maharashtra
On the backdrop of a breakout season for U Mumba, Ajit Chouhan will be representing Maharashtra in the National Games 2025. Having finished second and third in the last two National Games, the team from the west would want to make it to the top. Ajit would like to continue his form from PKL, and he will have the support of Akash Shinde, Pankaj Mohite, and Shivam Patare to get to the title.
#9 Rahul Sethpal – Services
Rahul Sethpal and titles have been a brilliant pair in the last year having won last year’s National Games and Pro Kabaddi League. The right-corner defender will be raring to go and defend the title in Uttarakhand. He will have a familiar friend in Jaideep Dahiya along with him trying to execute dashes and backholds to take back the trophy home.
Also Read: National Games 2025: Full squad of all states for men’s kabaddi tournament
#8 Sachin Tanwar – Rajasthan
If there is a player who is eagerly waiting to prove his worth in the National Games, then it has to be Sachin Tanwar. Coming into PKL 11 with a huge price tag for Tamil Thalaivas, he started the season well but couldn’t keep the momentum. Sachin was benched during mid-season and the do-or-die specialist would want to make it big for his state team in the National Games.
#7 Vinay Tevathia – Uttar Pradesh
Vinay Tevathia will be playing for Uttar Pradesh in the 38th National Games. The new PKL Champion would want to win the competition having won it in the 36th edition. Experts heaped faith on Vinay’s composure in the recently concluded PKL as he was leading the Haryana Steelers’ raiding front. The raider will look for consistency and move into the big leap.
#6 Ankit Jaglan – Services
Talking about consistency, one can’t ignore the name of Ankit Jaglan. The all-rounder has been rock solid for the team he has been representing. Be it Patna Pirates in PKL or Services in the national competition, Ankit is a pivotal cog in the wheel. His presence at the left corner will be a threat for the raiders and the all-rounder will be key if Services have to defend their title.
#5 Gaurav Khatri – Chandigarh
Gaurav Khatri will be donning his Chandigarh jersey to get what he missed out on in the last National Games. They had a brilliant run before being stopped in a thriller in the semis. The defender would want to get better this time as he will be at guarding their defensive front. He had a brilliant PKL scoring 61 Tackle points in 21 games. Chandigarh would be happy if he could repeat the same form.
Also Read: National Games 2025: Kabaddi events to start from January 28
#4 Devank Dalal – Services
Devank Dalal for Patna Pirates impressed everyone in PKL Season 11, winning the Best Raider award for the season. Devank, who amassed 301 raid points in 24 games, was a formidable offensive force who constantly outmaneuvered opponents thanks to his quick reflexes and keen senses. The raider would want to contribute more to ensure his team gets to lift the trophy.
Also Read: PKL 11: Top 10 raiders with most raid points in Pro Kabaddi 2024
#3 Ashu Malik – Haryana
Ashu Malik set a personal record of 18 Super 10s during season 11, the most in any PKL campaign. He has been a one-man army in the last two years and will be the same when Haryana steps onto the mat at Roshanabad Indoor Stadium. He and his team lost the finals last year and would be eager to go one better this time.
#2 Arjun Deshwal – Uttar Pradesh
Arjun Deshwal is no new to high-pressure tournaments and the National Games will be one he would want to add to his trophy cabinet. Arjun has been on the ascendency in his PKL career notching up points, records, and wins one by one. UP will start as favourites for the title and having failed to finish in the top three on the last three occasions, Arjun would want to live to the tag and lay his hands on the trophy.
#1 Pawan Sehrawat – Chandigarh
The Indian skipper Pawan Sehrawat will be the center of the attraction during the National Games. Pawan has been on a rough track in PKL in seasons 9 and 10. But the Hi-Flyer inspired his team to almost make it to the playoffs in season 11. Fans would be expecting the same from the skipper during the National Games. On a personal front, a title as a skipper for Pawan would silence the critics.
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