Sagar Rathee: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Sagar Rathee stands as one of the most reliable and consistent defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Moreover, he has established himself as the captain and defensive cornerstone of Tamil Thalaivas. Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Sagar Rathee has built an impressive career spanning five seasons in the PKL. Furthermore, his leadership skills and defensive expertise have made him a key figure in Tamil Thalaivas squad.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Sagar Rathee |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1999 |
| Age | 25 years (as of 2024) |
| Position | Defender (Right Corner) |
| Current Team | Tamil Thalaivas |
| Nationality | India |
| Birth Place | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Height | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| PKL Debut | Season 7 (2019) |
Early Life & Family
Sagar Rathee was born on January 8, 1999, in Rohtak, Haryana, India. He grew up in a supportive family environment in Rohtak district, which is known for producing talented kabaddi players. Additionally, Sagar Rathee completed his early education at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Ghuskani, Rohtak. Later, he pursued higher education at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
During his childhood, Sagar Rathee showed interest in sports and began playing kabaddi at a young age. His family provided unwavering support throughout his sporting journey. Furthermore, the kabaddi culture in Haryana, particularly in Rohtak district, played a significant role in shaping his defensive skills.
Sagar Rathee’s physical attributes also contributed to his success as a defender. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 85 kg, he possessed the ideal build for a right corner defender position. Moreover, his dedication to fitness and training from an early age helped him develop into a formidable defensive player.
Domestic Career
Sagar Rathee’s domestic kabaddi career began during his school and college days in Haryana. Initially, he played kabaddi at the district and state levels, where he developed his defensive techniques and strategic understanding of the game. His performances in local tournaments caught the attention of kabaddi scouts and coaches.
One of his significant achievements in domestic kabaddi came in 2021 when he participated in the 38th All India Men Kabaddi Championship (AIMKC) held in Gotegaon, Madhya Pradesh. During this tournament, Sagar Rathee secured a total of 118 tackle points, which showcased his defensive capabilities at the national level. This performance further established his reputation as a skilled defender.
In 2023, Sagar Rathee contributed to his team’s victory at the North Zone Inter University Kabaddi Men’s Championship held in Punjab. This achievement demonstrated his consistency and ability to perform at different levels of competition. Furthermore, his success in domestic tournaments played a crucial role in his development as a professional kabaddi player.
His domestic career also helped him understand different playing styles and defensive strategies. These experiences became invaluable when he transitioned to the Pro Kabaddi League. Additionally, his performances in domestic tournaments showcased his potential to scouts from various PKL teams.
PKL Journey
Sagar Rathee’s Pro Kabaddi League journey began in 2019 when Tamil Thalaivas selected him for Season 7. During his debut season, he accumulated a total of 22 points and was recognized as the ‘Dream11 Gamechanger of the Match’ in one of his performances. This early recognition highlighted his potential as a defender in the league.
In Season 8 (2021), Tamil Thalaivas bought Sagar Rathee for Rs 8 lakh. This season proved to be his breakthrough year, as he gained 82 tackle points and 1 raid point. His performance in Season 8 was exceptional, finishing as the second-highest defender by tackle points in the league. Moreover, this season established him as one of the premier defenders in the PKL.
Season 9 (2022) marked a significant milestone in Sagar Rathee’s career when Tamil Thalaivas purchased him for Rs 37.50 lakh. He was appointed as the captain for the first time. Under his leadership, Tamil Thalaivas achieved their first-ever playoff appearance and reached the semifinals. During this season, he achieved 53 tackle points and executed 8 super tackles. Furthermore, he was chosen as the ‘Jhakas Player of the Week’ based on fans’ votes.
However, Season 9 also brought challenges as Sagar Rathee suffered a severe knee injury while playing against Jaipur Pink Panthers at the Gachibowli Indoor Complex in Hyderabad. The injury was serious enough that he had to be stretchered off during the game. Despite this setback, his leadership and defensive contributions were crucial in Tamil Thalaivas’ historic playoff run.
Tamil Thalaivas retained Sagar Rathee as captain for Season 10 (2023-24). He played 18 matches and earned 66 tackle points with a tackle success rate of 59%. Although the team finished ninth and missed the playoffs, his individual performance remained consistent.
In Season 11 (2024), Sagar Rathee was retained as captain for the third consecutive season. However, his season was cut short due to an injury sustained in the opening match against Telugu Titans. He contributed with three tackle points before being substituted in the 32nd minute due to injury. The injury sidelined him for the whole season, limiting his appearances to just one match where he earned 3 total points with a 75% tackle success rate.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total No. of Matches | 71 |
| No. of Super Tackles | 24 |
| High 5s | 20 |
| Total Tackle Points | 226 |
| Average Successful Tackles/Match | 2.84 |
| Total Tackles | 379 |
| Tackle Success Rate % | 53% |
Achievements
Sagar Rathee’s achievements in the Pro Kabaddi League span across multiple seasons:
Individual Season Achievements:
- Season 7 (2019): Dream11 Gamechanger of the Match award in debut season
- Season 8 (2021): 82 tackle points, finished second among defenders by tackle points
- Season 9 (2022): 53 tackle points, 8 super tackles, and Jhakas Player of the Week award
- Season 10 (2023-24): 67 points in 18 matches with 59% tackle success rate
- Season 11 (2024): 3 points in 1 match with 75% tackle success rate before injury
Career Achievements:
- Total Career Statistics: 226 tackle points in 71 matches across six seasons
- Leadership Record: Captain of Tamil Thalaivas for three consecutive seasons (9, 10, 11)
- Historic Achievement: Led Tamil Thalaivas to their first-ever playoff appearance in Season 9
- Team Success: Guided team to semifinal finish in Season 9, their best-ever PKL performance
Domestic Achievements:
- 2021: 118 tackle points in 38th All India Men Kabaddi Championship (AIMKC)
- 2023: Part of victorious team at North Zone Inter University Kabaddi Men’s Championship
Recognition and Awards:
- Featured prominently in Pro Kabaddi League promotional content
- Retained as Elite Player by Tamil Thalaivas multiple times
- Recognized as one of the most reliable defenders in the league
Conclusion
Sagar Rathee’s journey from Rohtak to becoming the captain of Tamil Thalaivas represents a story of dedication, skill, and leadership. His transformation from a young defender earning 22 points in his debut season to accumulating 226 tackle points across six seasons shows his consistent growth in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Despite facing challenges including injuries, Sagar Rathee has remained committed to Tamil Thalaivas throughout his entire PKL career. His leadership during Season 9 helped the team achieve their first playoff appearance and semifinal finish, which remains their best performance to date. Furthermore, his defensive skills and strategic understanding have made him an invaluable asset to the team.
Today, Sagar Rathee continues to represent Tamil Thalaivas as their captain and right corner defender. His experience, leadership qualities, and defensive expertise make him a key player for the franchise’s future success. Additionally, his journey serves as an inspiration for young kabaddi players from Haryana and across India who aspire to make their mark in professional kabaddi.
