Arjun Deshwal is one of India’s prominent kabaddi raiders and a well-known name in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Born on 7 July 1999 in Basera, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, he developed an interest in kabaddi during his teenage years. His explosive movement, quick raids, and ability to score under pressure have earned him the nickname “Raid Machine.”

Early Life and Introduction to Kabaddi

Arjun Deshwal grew up in Basera, where kabaddi was popular among local youngsters. Although he played cricket during his childhood, watching village kabaddi players win medals inspired him to try the sport. He started playing kabaddi seriously at around 14 years of age. His natural speed and raiding ability quickly became noticeable, and he progressed through school and state-level competitions.

His journey was supported by regular training and guidance from coaches, including Bhupinder Singh. He also continued practicing with his village coach Dharminder Singh whenever he returned home. His dedication eventually helped him move toward professional kabaddi.

Arjun Deshwal’s PKL Career

Arjun Deshwal entered the Pro Kabaddi League with U Mumba in 2018. His debut season was affected by injury, but he showed his potential during Season 7 by scoring 104 raid points. This performance established him as one of the promising young raiders in the league.

Ahead of Season 8, Jaipur Pink Panthers signed him for ₹96 lakh. The move proved highly successful. In his first season with Jaipur, Deshwal scored 267 raid points and became his team’s leading raid-point scorer.

Season 9 was the defining chapter of his PKL career. Deshwal scored 296 raid points in 24 matches, finishing as the league’s leading raider. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and helped Jaipur Pink Panthers win the PKL championship.

International Career

Deshwal’s achievements are not limited to franchise kabaddi. He was part of the Indian men’s kabaddi team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023. Winning an Asian Games gold medal became one of the biggest milestones of his sporting career.

Playing Style

Arjun is primarily a raider. His game is built around speed, balance, footwork, and the ability to identify gaps in the opposition’s defensive formation. He is particularly effective when taking calculated risks and turning difficult situations into scoring opportunities.

His consistency has made him one of the league’s dependable attacking players. Official PKL statistics list him among the leading performers, while his career record includes numerous Super 10s and a large number of raid points.

Arjun Deshwal in 2025–26

For the 2025 season, Deshwal moved to the Tamil Thalaivas after several successful campaigns with Jaipur Pink Panthers. The official Pro Kabaddi profile lists Tamil Thalaivas as his team from 2025 onward.

In Season 12, he recorded 209 points, including 209 raid points and 11 Super 10s, according to the official PKL statistics page.

Conclusion

Arjun Deshwal’s journey from village kabaddi in Uttar Pradesh to becoming an established PKL star is an inspiring story of talent, discipline, and perseverance. From his early days with U Mumba to his championship-winning campaign with Jaipur Pink Panthers and his international success with India, he has built an impressive career. His aggressive raiding, consistency, and ability to perform in pressure situations continue to make him one of Indian kabaddi’s most exciting players.