Sushil Kambrekar is a young and talented kabaddi player from India who made his Pro Kabaddi League debut with Bengal Warriorz in Season 11. Born on March 27, 2005, this 19-year-old right raider from Karnataka has quickly become one of the most promising young talents in the PKL.

Category	Details
Full Name	Sushil Kambrekar
Position	Right Raider
Nationality	India
Current Team	Bengal Warriorz
Birth Date	March 27, 2005
PKL Debut	Season 11 (2024)
Status	Injured – ruled out mid-season 11
Origin	Halyal village, Karnataka
Community	Tribal community
PKL Category	New Young Player (NYP)

Early Life & Family

Sushil Kambrekar was born on March 27, 2005, in Halyal village, Karnataka. He comes from a tribal community background, which makes his journey to professional kabaddi even more inspiring. The young raider grew up in a family where kabaddi was already part of their lives. His brother played kabaddi, and this family connection to the sport sparked Sushil’s initial interest in the game.

During his childhood, Sushil Kambrekar did not initially plan to pursue kabaddi professionally. Like many young athletes, he played the sport casually and participated in local competitions. However, his brother’s involvement in kabaddi created an environment where the sport was always present in his daily life.

Domestic Career

Before joining the Pro Kabaddi League, Sushil Kambrekar built his foundation through various domestic competitions. He actively participated in inter-college tournaments, district-level competitions, and all-India kabaddi championships. These domestic tournaments helped him develop his skills as a raider and gain valuable match experience.

During his college years, Sushil Kambrekar competed in multiple levels of kabaddi competitions. He played in inter-college matches where he could showcase his raiding abilities against other young players. Additionally, he participated in district-level tournaments that provided him with exposure to higher levels of competition.

The turning point in his career came during PKL Season 7 or 8 when he was watching the Pro Kabaddi League on television. While watching the matches, he began to believe that he could compete at the professional level. This realization motivated him to take his kabaddi career more seriously and work toward joining the PKL.

PKL Journey

Sushil Kambrekar’s Pro Kabaddi League journey began in Season 11 (2024) when Bengal Warriorz signed him as a New Young Player (NYP). At just 19 years old, he became one of the youngest players to compete in the PKL, demonstrating the confidence that Bengal Warriorz management had in his abilities.

Season 11 Performance

During PKL Season 11, Sushil Kambrekar played 8 matches for Bengal Warriorz and scored a total of 37 points. His raid strike rate was an impressive 55%, while his tackle strike rate stood at 47%. These statistics showed that he was not only effective in attack but also contributed defensively when needed.

One of his most memorable performances came in the thrilling 32-32 draw against defending champions Puneri Paltan. In this match, Sushil Kambrekar was the top scorer for Bengal Warriorz with 10 points, showing that he could perform under pressure against the best teams in the league. This performance caught the attention of kabaddi fans and experts alike.

Another standout moment was his performance against UP Yoddhas, where his twin multiple-point raids helped Bengal Warriorz secure a close 32-29 victory. This was Bengal Warriorz’s first win of the season, and Sushil Kambrekar played a crucial role in achieving this important result.

Injury and Season End

Unfortunately, Sushil Kambrekar’s debut season was cut short when he suffered an injury mid-season. The injury forced him to miss the remaining matches of PKL Season 11. Bengal Warriorz announced that he was ruled out due to injury, and Siddhesh Tatkare was brought in as his replacement.

The injury was described as a slight tear in the ligament, which while not extremely serious, was enough to end his season prematurely. This setback was disappointing for both the player and the team, as he had been showing excellent form before the injury occurred.

Coaching Recognition

Head coach Prashant Surve praised Sushil Kambrekar’s performances during Season 11, calling him “the year’s surprise package”. Team captain Fazel Atrachali also recognized his contributions to the team’s early performances in the season. This recognition from experienced professionals in the sport highlighted the impact he made despite being a newcomer to the league.

Sushil Motesh Kambrekar – PKL Statistics

Overall Performance Statistics

Statistic	Value
Matches Played	10
Total Points Earned	42
Raid Points Per Match	3.4
Not Out %	76.66%

Attacking Statistics

Attacking Statistic	Value
Total Raids	60
Successful Raids %	56.66%
No. Of Super Raids	1
Super 10s	1
Total Raid Points	34
Average Raid Points/Match	3.4

Defensive Statistics

Defensive Statistic	Value
No. Of Super Tackles	1
High 5s	0
Total Tackle Points	8
Average Successful Tackles/Match	0.7
Total Tackles	17
Tackle Success Rate %	41%

Achievements

PKL Season 11 Statistics

• Total Matches Played: 8 games
• Total Points Scored: 37 points
• Raid Strike Rate: 55%
• Tackle Strike Rate: 47%
• Best Single Match Performance: 10 points vs Puneri Paltan
• Team Impact: Helped Bengal Warriorz secure their first win of season vs UP Yoddhas

Team Retention

Despite his injury-shortened debut season, Bengal Warriorz showed faith in Sushil Kambrekar by retaining him for PKL Season 12. He was kept as an Existing New Young Player for the upcoming season, indicating the team’s belief in his long-term potential.

Age Achievement

At 19 years old, Sushil Kambrekar became one of the youngest players ever to compete in the Pro Kabaddi League, showing his exceptional talent at such a young age.

Conclusion

Sushil Kambrekar’s journey from a village in Karnataka to the Pro Kabaddi League represents the kind of inspiring story that makes Indian sports special. Born on March 27, 2005, in Halyal village, this young raider from a tribal community has shown that talent and determination can overcome any background challenges.

His debut season in PKL Season 11 with Bengal Warriorz was both promising and unfortunate. While he only played 8 matches due to injury, Sushil Kambrekar managed to score 37 points with an impressive 55% raid strike rate. His standout performance of 10 points against defending champions Puneri Paltan demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level.

The young raider’s journey began with inspiration from his brother and grew into a serious career goal while watching PKL matches on television. Through domestic competitions including inter-college and district-level tournaments, he built the foundation that eventually led to his professional career.

Although his debut season was cut short by injury, the recognition he received from coach Prashant Surve and captain Fazel Atrachali shows the impact he made in his limited playing time. Being called “the year’s surprise package” by his coach is a significant achievement for any debutant.

Bengal Warriorz’s decision to retain Sushil Kambrekar for PKL Season 12 despite his injury shows their confidence in his abilities and potential for future seasons. As he recovers from his injury and prepares for the upcoming season, kabaddi fans can expect to see more exciting performances from this talented young raider. His story continues to inspire young players from rural backgrounds who dream of playing professional kabaddi at the highest level.