Gangaram: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Gangaram is a young and talented defender in the world of professional kabaddi. He plays as a left cover for UP Yoddhas in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). This player has shown great promise and skill in both domestic and professional kabaddi. Let us tell you more about his journey from a small village to the big stage of kabaddi.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Gangaram Tanu Ram |
| Position | Defender – Left Cover |
| Current Team | UP Yoddhas (PKL) |
| Origin | Devasarai, Rajasthan |
| Father’s Name | Tanu Ram |
| Favorite Sports | Kabaddi and Wrestling |
| Inspiration | Mahipal (Cousin) |
| Idols | Bajrang Punia and Manjit Chillar |
| Social Media | @gangakabaddi_03 (Instagram) |
Early Life & Family
Gangaram was born in Devasarai, a small village in Rajasthan. His father’s name is Tanu Ram. Growing up in a rural area, Gangaram was first introduced to kabaddi through his cousin Mahipal. As a young boy, he used to watch Mahipal go to various tournaments and play kabaddi. This sparked his interest in the sport.
This early exposure to the game made him fall in love with kabaddi. Moreover, his family supported his interest in sports from the beginning. Apart from kabaddi, Gangaram also enjoys wrestling as his second favorite sport. He looks up to two great athletes as his role models. First, he admires Bajrang Punia, the famous wrestler who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Second, he respects Manjit Chillar, a legendary kabaddi player who has achieved great success in both international competitions and the Pro Kabaddi League.
Domestic Career
Gangaram has had an impressive domestic career in kabaddi. He has participated in many important tournaments across different age groups. His journey in domestic kabaddi shows his dedication and hard work over the years.
Additionally, Gangaram has won several medals in national-level competitions. He has competed at the Khelo India Youth Games, which is one of the most important tournaments for young athletes in India. The Khelo India Youth Games give scholarships worth ₹5 lakh for 8 years to the best 1000 kids to help them prepare for international sporting events.
Moreover, he has also performed well in Junior National championships and School National tournaments. These competitions are organized by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and provide a platform for young players to showcase their talent. Furthermore, he has participated in SGFI (School Games Federation of India) tournaments in different age categories.
PKL Journey
Gangaram made his entry into the Pro Kabaddi League in season 11 with UP Yoddhas. The UP Yoddhas team is based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and is owned by the GMR Group. The team was founded in 2017 and has been one of the most consistent teams in the league. Till date Gangaram hasn’t played a single match for UP Yoddhas.
Gangaram appeared as a defender for UP Yoddhas during Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, though his campaign remained marked by extremely limited playing involvement. The defender featured in just 5 matches out of the full 18-match season, indicating he operated as a reserve or backup option within the franchise’s defensive rotation. This restricted deployment suggested UP Yoddhas deployed him selectively during specific match situations rather than establishing him as a core defensive regular in their matchday arrangements.
During his five appearances, Gangaram attempted 6 tackles across the entire season, averaging only 1.20 tackle attempts per match. This minimal tackle engagement reflected very limited defensive responsibility assigned to him during his playing time. The low frequency of tackles suggested either brief periods on the mat or positioning in defensive roles with reduced raiding pressure. His 0.2 successful tackles per match average highlighted that defensive contributions during his appearances were minimal and inconsistent in nature.
Gangaram’s tackle success rate presented a particularly challenging performance profile. With a 17% tackle success rate—among the lowest conversion rates at the professional level—he successfully executed only 1 of his 6 tackle attempts, generating just 1 total tackle point across five matches. Five of his six tackles went unsuccessful, a pattern that demonstrated substantial difficulty in executing defensive techniques effectively or anticipating raiding patterns with the awareness required for PKL competition. The 0.20 points per match average reflected minimal defensive output during his appearances on the mat.
Notably absent from his season were any bonus contributions. Gangaram recorded neither super tackles nor high fives, indicating that among his extremely limited tackle attempts, none resulted in high-impact defensive plays or sequential successful defenses. The complete absence of bonus points, combined with his 17% success rate, painted a picture of defensive struggles throughout his brief appearances. His engagement with opposing raiders did not yield the breakthrough moments necessary to generate momentum or shift match dynamics through individual defensive excellence.
Gangaram’s PKL 12 season characterized him as a fringe squad player in UP Yoddhas’ defensive arrangements. His five-match participation—representing only 27.8% of the full season—confirmed he remained on the periphery of the team’s regular playing eleven. The combination of minimal match appearances, extremely low tackle volume, critically low 17% success rate, and marginal point generation suggested significant challenges in securing consistent opportunities at the PKL professional standard. His defensive metrics indicated either insufficient technical development for reliable deployment or specific circumstances where the franchise opted for alternative defensive options over him.
The performance provided limited positive indicators for progression within the squad. Unlike defenders who may establish themselves despite limited appearances through efficiency or impact plays, Gangaram’s extremely low success rate compounded challenges of restricted playing time. His development pathway required substantial technical refinement in defensive positioning, tactical awareness, and consistent tackle execution to transition from fringe player status toward reliable playing opportunities.
Without demonstrated improvement in fundamental defensive metrics, establishing regular participation within UP Yoddhas’ defensive structure appeared unlikely, positioning him among the squad’s depth options rather than contributors to the team’s competitive efforts during PKL 12.
| Total Matches | Tackle Points | Total Points | |
| Season 11 (2024) | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Season 12 (2025) | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Achievements
Gangaram has achieved several important milestones in his kabaddi career. In the Khelo India Youth Games, Gangaram won a silver medal. Furthermore, he has won a gold medal in Junior National championships. Winning gold at this level shows his exceptional skill and performance.
Additionally, he has won medals in SGFI tournaments in different categories. He earned a Bronze in SGFI U19, Silver in SGFI U14, and Gold in SGFI U16. These achievements across different age groups show his consistent performance and improvement over the years.
His achievements also include participating in various state and regional tournaments. Also, his success in domestic tournaments eventually led to his selection for the Pro Kabaddi League.
Social Media and More
Gangaram is active on social media platforms where he connects with his fans and followers. His Instagram handle is @gangakabaddi_03. Through his social media presence, he shares updates about his training, matches, and personal life.
On his Instagram profile, he describes himself as a professional kabaddi player. He also mentions his achievements including the Khelo India silver medal and Junior National gold medal. Furthermore, he proudly represents UP Yoddhas in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Conclusion
Gangaram represents the new generation of talented kabaddi players in India. His journey from a small village in Rajasthan to the professional stage of PKL is truly inspiring. Starting with watching his cousin play kabaddi to becoming a professional player himself shows his determination and passion for the sport.
Gangaram’s success shows that with talent, hard work, and proper opportunities, players from small villages can reach the highest levels of professional sports. As he continues his journey in kabaddi, fans and fellow players will be watching his progress with great interest.
