Pro Kabaddi League: Top 5 youngest players in PKL history

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The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has emerged as a premier platform for kabaddi talent, where young athletes from all over the country showcase their skills on a grand stage.

One of the most exciting aspects of the league is the introduction of New Young Players (NYP) through Mashal Sports' Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) program, which identifies untapped talent from across India.

Many players who came through the NYP category have risen to stardom at a very young age.

Let's take a look at the top 5 youngest players to make their mark in PKL history.

Naveen Kumar - Dabang Delhi K.C.

Naveen Kumar burst onto the PKL scene as the first player born in the 2000s to feature in PKL in Season 6. He made his debut at just 18 years of age. His debut season saw him quickly rise through the ranks, establishing himself as Dabang Delhi's top raider and helping them reach the playoffs.

Naveen's agility and attacking prowess were further highlighted in Season 7, where he set the league on fire with a remarkable 303 raid points and 22 Super 10s in 23 matches, leading his team to the finals. Despite battling injuries, Naveen was instrumental in Delhi's maiden PKL title triumph in Season 8.

With over 1000 raid points from 91 games, Naveen continues to be one of the league's brightest stars.

Aslam Inamdar - Puneri Paltan

Hailing from Taklibhan, Maharashtra, Aslam Inamdar made his PKL debut in Season 8 as a 21-year-old NYP for Puneri Paltan. From the outset, Aslam showcased his immense potential as a raider, impressing fans and coaches alike with his dynamic playing style.

By Season 9, Aslam was appointed captain of the Paltan and led the team to their first-ever PKL title in season 10. With 119 raid points across 23 matches in his title-winning season, Aslam proved to be a versatile and reliable leader for Puneri Paltan, cementing his place among the top young talents in the league.

Mohit Goyat - Puneri Paltan

Another standout player from the NYP program, Mohit Goyat, debuted for Puneri Paltan in Season 8 at the age of 21, alongside Aslam Inamdar.

A player of immense versatility, Mohit impressed in both raiding and defense. In his first season, he amassed 159 raid points and 28 tackle points, earning the Emerging Player of the Season award.

His consistency continued into Season 9, where he racked up 122 raid points and 29 tackle points, playing a key role in Puneri Paltan's historic title run. Over three seasons, Mohit has already scored over 400 raid points, making him one of the brightest young talents in PKL.

Sagar Rathee - Tamil Thalaivas

Sagar Rathee made his PKL debut at the age of 19 in Season 7 for Tamil Thalaivas as part of the NYP program. A defender by trade, Sagar's ability to hold the backline and consistently deliver high-impact performances was quickly noticed.

He had an impressive debut season, racking up 82 tackle points, setting the foundation for his continued success.

With 223 tackle points from 70 games across four seasons, Sagar's consistency in defense helped Tamil Thalaivas reach the playoffs for the first time in their history during Season 9, where he captained the side.

Vinay Tevathia - Haryana Steelers

Vinay Tevathia made his debut for Haryana Steelers in Season 7 at 20 years old, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young raiders in the league. In his debut season, Vinay played 23 matches and scored 125 raid points, helping his team reach the playoffs.

His contribution became even more significant in Season 10 when Vinay was instrumental in Haryana's runner-up finish, accumulating 163 raid points from 23 games.

His growth as a player and raider showcases the NYP program's ability to develop talent ready to compete at the highest levels.