Rahul Sethpal: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Rahul Sethpal stands tall as one of the most reliable defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League. This young defender from Bapulia village in Panipat has made a name for himself with his strong tackles and smart defensive plays. From a small village tournament to winning the PKL Season 11 championship with Haryana Steelers, Rahul’s journey shows how hard work and dedication can help achieve big dreams.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Rahul Sethpal Rawal |
| Date of Birth | September 20 |
| Age | 27 years (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Bapauli village, Panipat, Haryana |
| Position | Defender, Right Corner |
| Current Team | Haryana Steelers (Season 12) |
| Team Role | Vice-Captain |
| PKL Debut | Season 8 (2021) with U Mumba |
| Training Background | Sports Authority of India (SAI) |
| Achievements | PKL Season 11 Champion, Junior National Gold (2020, 2021) |
| Family | Elder Brother: Sagar Rawal Gujjar (kabaddi player) |
| Mentor | Nitin Rawal |
| Favorite Players | Raider: Naveen Goyat, Defender: Fazel Atrachali |
Early Life & Family
Rahul Sethpal was born on September 20, 2001, in the small village of Bapulia in Panipat district of Haryana. He comes from a middle-class family where education was given high importance. His father wanted him to focus on his studies rather than sports. However, his mother became his biggest supporter and believed that sports could give him good opportunities in life.
Rahul Sethpal’s journey in kabaddi started in a very simple way. He was very young when a tournament was organized in his village. The organizers were giving away jerseys to participants. This attracted young Rahul to join the tournament. “I was very young when I started playing Kabaddi. A tournament was organized in our village, and they were giving away jerseys. So, I decided to play – that’s how my journey in Kabaddi began,” recalls Rahul.
Rahul Sethpal has an elder brother named Sagar Rawal Gujjar, who is also a kabaddi player. The family faced some financial challenges in the early days, but they never gave up on supporting Rahul’s kabaddi dreams.
Domestic Career
Before joining the Pro Kabaddi League, Rahul Sethpal made his mark in domestic kabaddi competitions. His breakthrough came when he won two gold medals at the Junior National Kabaddi Championships in 2020 and 2021. These victories were special because his team was not expected to win medals.
“Looking at our team, it seemed unlikely that we would win a medal. We had only two raiders, along with five defenders. I wasn’t a main player; I filled in at different positions,” Rahul Sethpal remembers about his Junior Nationals success. Against all odds, they secured the gold medal while representing Sports Authority of India.
Rahul Sethpal also represents Services in domestic competitions. In December 2024, he helped Services win the 71st Senior National Kabaddi Championships. The final was a nail-biting match against Railways that went to a tie-breaker, with Services winning 30-30 (6-4). Rahul’s defensive partnership with Jaideep Dahiya proved crucial in this victory.
PKL Journey
Rahul Sethpal’s Pro Kabaddi League journey began in Season 8 (2021) when he was signed by U Mumba. His first big moment came when he successfully tackled league superstar Pawan Sehrawat. “I was thrilled; I had tackled the league’s top raider! This performance caught his team’s attention and marked the beginning of his professional journey,” says Rahul.
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Tackle Points | Super Tackles | High 5s |
| Season 8 (2021) | U Mumba | 18 | 34 | 5 | 1 |
| Season 9 (2022) | U Mumba | 15 | 16 | 3 | 1 |
| Season 10 (2023) | Haryana Steelers | 23 | 73 | 15 | 7 |
| Season 11 (2024) | Haryana Steelers | 24 | 73 | 7 | 4 |
| Season 12 (2025) | Haryana Steelers | 8 | 22 | 2 | 1 |
| Overall | – | 88 | 218 | 32 | 14 |
In Season 8, Rahul played 18 matches for U Mumba and scored 34 tackle points. The team retained him for Season 9, where he played 15 matches and earned 16 tackle points.
His big break came in Season 10 when Haryana Steelers bought him for Rs 40.7 lakhs. This move proved to be perfect for both the player and the team. In Season 10, Rahul Sethpal became one of the top defenders in the league with 73 tackle points in 24 matches. He also recorded 15 Super Tackles and 7 High 5s.
Season 11 was even more special for Rahul as he helped Haryana Steelers win their first-ever PKL title. He again scored 73 tackle points in 24 matches and maintained his excellent form throughout the season. His defensive partnership with captain Jaideep Dahiya became the backbone of Haryana’s title-winning campaign.
Currently playing in Season 12, Rahul continues to be a key player for the defending champions. He has been named as the vice-captain of Haryana Steelers, showing the trust the team management has in his leadership abilities.
Indian Kabaddi Team Journey
After establishing himself in the PKL, Rahul has been working towards representing India at the international level. His participation in the Senior National Championships with Services has put him in contention for national team selection. The gold medal win at the 71st Senior Nationals was a significant step towards his goal of playing for India.
Rahul has expressed his strong desire to represent the country. “Going forward, I want to play for India, as I have now competed in the Senior Nationals. I want to keep playing for as long as possible and leave a legacy in Kabaddi,” he states.
Achievements
Rahul Sethpal has achieved several milestones in his kabaddi career:
Domestic Achievements:
- Gold medal at Junior National Kabaddi Championship (2020)
- Gold medal at Junior National Kabaddi Championship (2021)
- Gold medal at 71st Senior National Kabaddi Championship with Services (2024)
PKL Achievements:
- PKL Season 11 Champion with Haryana Steelers (2024)
- Most Super Tackles in PKL Season 10 (15 tackles)
- Multiple Defender of the Day awards in PKL Season 11
- Vice-captain of Haryana Steelers (PKL Season 12)
Individual Records:
- 215+ total tackle points in PKL career
- 30+ Super Tackles across all PKL seasons
- 14+ High 5s in PKL career
- 87 matches played in PKL so far
Rahul was instrumental in making Haryana Steelers only the second team in PKL history to win their maiden title after reaching the final. “Winning the title was a dream come true. Being from Haryana, it meant so much to us – our team had legends like Surender Nada, yet we had never won the PKL title before,” reflects Rahul on the historic achievement.
Social Media and More
Rahul Sethpal maintains an active presence on social media platforms. His Instagram handle is @rahul_sethpal_7, where he shares updates about his matches, training sessions, and personal life. His bio on Instagram reads: “Athlete, Jersey #7, Professional Kabaddi player, V Captain @haryanasteelers, Session 11 Champion.”
Through his social media, Rahul connects with kabaddi fans and shares insights into his professional journey. He often posts about his training routines, match highlights, and team celebrations. His social media presence helps inspire young kabaddi players who dream of making it big in the sport.
The PKL has completely transformed Rahul’s life. Coming from a middle-class family, he now enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. “Coming from a middle-class family, the things I own now were once just dreams. From staying in luxurious hotels to earning a good income, PKL has given me opportunities beyond imagination. I never even dreamt of this kind of money,” Rahul shares about how the league has changed his life.
Rahul credits his mentor Nitin Rawal for his success. Nitin Rawal, who is also a top PKL defender and Asian Games gold medalist, has supported Rahul both financially and emotionally throughout his journey. “Nitin Rawal has supported me throughout – both financially and emotionally. He helped my brother and me reach where we are today,” Rahul says gratefully.
Conclusion
Rahul Sethpal’s story is one of determination, hard work, and never giving up on dreams. From playing in village tournaments to becoming a PKL champion, his journey inspires many young kabaddi players across India. His strong defensive skills, leadership qualities, and humble nature have made him a fan favorite.
As the vice-captain of defending champions Haryana Steelers, Rahul continues to work towards making his team successful in PKL Season 12. His ultimate goal remains to represent India at international competitions and leave a lasting legacy in kabaddi. With his talent, dedication, and the right support system, Rahul Sethpal is well on his way to achieving all his kabaddi dreams.
The young defender from Panipat has shown that with proper guidance, family support, and personal commitment, any player can rise from humble beginnings to reach the top levels of professional sport. Rahul Sethpal truly represents the spirit of kabaddi and continues to be an inspiration for future generations of players.
