Ankush Rathee Kabaddi Player Biography: Early and Family Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and Many More
Ankush Rathee, born June 30, 2003, is a talented left corner defender and captain of Bengaluru Bulls in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.
Acquired for ₹30 lakh at the auction, Ankush brings consistency and a feared defensive presence. Since debuting in Season 9, he has amassed 227 tackle points in 69 matches, including 15 Super Tackles and 20 High 5s. Ankush has shown strong leadership qualities, stepping up after the retirement of former captain Pardeep Narwal.
His defensive acumen and tactical awareness make him a key pillar for Bengaluru Bulls as they aim to bounce back in PKL 12.
Ankush’s ability to marshal the defense and motivate teammates is central to the Bulls’ strategy. He is regarded as one of the most promising defenders in the league and a player to watch in the upcoming season.
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ankush Rathee |
| Date of Birth | June 30, 2003 |
| Position | Left Corner Defender |
| Team | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Captaincy | Captain of Bengaluru Bulls, PKL Season 12 |
| Auction Price | ₹30 lakh |
| PKL Debut | Season 9 |
| Matches Played | 69 |
| Total Tackle Points | 227 |
| Super Tackles | 15 |
| High 5s | 20 |
| Leadership | Key leader after Pardeep Narwal’s retirement |
| Playing Style | Consistent, feared defensive presence |
| Role | Marshal defense, motivate team |
| Importance to Team | Central defensive pillar for Bengaluru Bulls’ PKL 12 campaign |
| Reputation | One of the most promising defenders in the league |
Ankush Rathee Early, Family Life and Domestic Career:
Ankush Rathee is born on 30th June 2003, in Rohtak Haryana, a region already known for producing prolific Kabaddi Players, his brother Amit Rathee is also Kabaddi Player, with his surrounding towards Kabaddi Player in his arsenal would mean that he would certainly grow exponentially all he needed was focused mindset and growth when it mattered the most.
He is also inspired by his father Ashok Rathee who is also Kabaddi Player, and later he got enrolled in Deepak Niwas Hooda Foundation, an institution primarily known for nurturing several Kabaddi Players in their arsenal.
The early exposure and training in distinct competitions enabled him to reach at the biggest of stages in stipulated time period.
The discipline and ambitions in Ankush instilled belief in him to do wonders at successive stages. His breakout year came in Junior Level, where he impressed brilliant outings for Oil and Natural Gas Commission(ONGC) squad as left corner defender.
He Caught attention to become one of the Top defenders in Junior Nationals tournament, and his skills building and ability to absorb pressure made him perfect tactician to make name for himself.
The Pivotal moment in his Pre-PKL career came where they won prestigious All India Kabaddi Tournament, where he displayed signature Grip Ankle Hold, which later became his trademark move.
With his brilliant exposure at distinct levels he was later inducted into Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 for Benglaru Bulls in that season he didn’t played all the matches later he got game time in Season 9 with Jaipur Pink Panthers.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ankush Rathee |
| Date of Birth | 30th June 2003 |
| Birthplace | Rohtak, Haryana |
| Region Known For | Producing prolific Kabaddi players |
| Family Background | Brother: Amit Rathee (Kabaddi Player); Father: Ashok Rathee (Kabaddi Player) |
| Early Inspiration | Inspired by father and family’s Kabaddi background |
| Early Training | Joined Deepak Niwas Hooda Foundation |
| Early Exposure | Competed in distinct tournaments at early stage |
| Key Attributes | Discipline and ambition; Belief to succeed at higher levels |
| Breakout Year | Junior Level through ONGC squad as left corner defender |
| Junior National Impact | Impressed as one of the top defenders; handled pressure well |
| Signature Move | Grip Ankle Hold – became his trademark in key matches |
| Notable Junior Success | Won All India Kabaddi Tournament with ONGC |
| Entry to PKL | Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 (Bengaluru Bulls; limited playtime) |
| Major Opportunity | Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 (Jaipur Pink Panthers; regular playti |
Ankush Rathee PKL Achievements:
He got selected in Season 8 but despite limited Game time, he couldn’t play any games he was later picked in Season 9, he played 24 matches where he scored 89 tackle points out of 132 tackle points attempted with average successful tackles per match being 3.5.
He played 22 matches in Season 10 where he scored 70 tackle points out of 120 tackle points attempted, with average successful tackles per match being 2.86.
He played 23 matches in Season 11 where he scored 68 tackle points out of 114 tackle points attempted with average Successful tackles per match being 2.82.
In Season 12, he played 2 matches so far where he scored 5 tackle points out of 7 tackle point attempted, he is no more part of squad it seems as he has unfollowed the franchise and delete all the photos related to Bengaluru Bulls.
In his absence Yogesh Dahiya is leading the side for the first time and won that game and this victory.
However fans will badly miss Ankush Rathee as player and leader both.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Season 8 | Selected for Bengaluru Bulls, no games played (limited game time) |
| Season 9 | Played 24 matches; 89 tackle points from 132 attempts; average successful tackles per match: 3.5 |
| Season 10 | Played 22 matches; 70 tackle points from 120 attempts; average successful tackles per match: 2.86 |
| Season 11 | Played 23 matches; 68 tackle points from 114 attempts; average successful tackles per match: 2.82 |
| Season 12 (So far) | Played 2 matches; 5 tackle points from 7 attempts |
| Current Status (Season 12) | No longer part of squad; unfollowed franchise and deleted related photos of Bengaluru Bulls |
| Captain in Absence | Yogesh Dahiya is leading the side for the first time and secured a win |
| Fan Sentiment | Fans will badly miss Ankush Rathee as both player and leader |
| Total Matches Played | 2 (Season 12; as per latest stats) |
| Team (Season 12) | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Previous Teams | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Tackle Strike Rate (S12) | 71% |
| Raid Strike Rate (S12) | 0% |
| Total Points Earned (S12) | 5 |
| Designation | Defender |
| Nationality | India |
| Season | Matches Played | Tackle Points | Tackle Attempts | Avg. Successful Tackles/Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 9 | 24 | 89 | 132 | 3.5 |
| Season 10 | 22 | 70 | 120 | 2.86 |
| Season 11 | 23 | 68 | 114 | 2.82 |
| Season 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | – |
| Total | 71 | 232 | 373 | 3.27 |
| Season | Matches Played | Tackle Points | Tackle Attempts | Avg. Successful Tackles/Match | Tackle Success Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 9 | 24 | 89 | 132 | 3.5 | 67.42% |
| Season 10 | 22 | 70 | 120 | 2.86 | 58.33% |
| Season 11 | 23 | 68 | 114 | 2.82 | 59.65% |
| Season 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | – | 71.43% |
| Total | 71 | 232 | 373 | 3.27 | 62.19% |
✅ Overall Tackle Success Rate = (Total Tackle Points ÷ Total Attempts) × 100
Ankush Rathee Social Media:
Ankush Rathee is quite active on social media where he keeps sharing photos/videos on regular basis.
He keeps on sharing his photos/videos related to gym and training sessions to inspire next generation of players to take up the sport.
He has 33K followers on Instagram.
Ankush Rathee Social Media Profile: https://www.instagram.com/ankushrathee_
Final Perspective:
Overall if you look at the way he has played it has been exceptional, he is simply best defender but him parting ways with Bengaluru Bulls it would be interesting to see how he will fare in next season if given a chance.
He is brilliant left corner defender and deserve credit for his immaculate consistency over the years.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Social Media Activity | Quite active; regularly shares gym and training photos/videos |
| Inspirational Content | Uses his posts to motivate next-generation players to take up Kabaddi |
| Instagram Followers | 33K |
| Instagram Profile Link | https://www.instagram.com/ankushrathee_ |
| Recent Team Status | Parted ways with Bengaluru Bulls |
| Reputation | Regarded as one of the best/most consistent left corner defenders |
| Future Outlook | Exceptional career thus far; future performance keenly awaited if given another PKL chance |
Important Questions(FAQ):
1. Who is Ankush Rathee and how did he start his Kabaddi journey?
Ankush Rathee, born on June 30, 2003, in Rohtak, Haryana, is a talented left-corner defender who has quickly risen to prominence in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Hailing from a family deeply rooted in Kabaddi, Ankush had inspiration and guidance from a young age. His father, Ashok Rathee, was a Kabaddi player himself, and his elder brother, Amit Rathee, also pursued the sport. Surrounded by the sport at home, Ankush developed a natural inclination towards Kabaddi.
He later got enrolled at the Deepak Niwas Hooda Foundation, which is renowned for producing several Kabaddi players at the professional level. The disciplined training environment and early exposure to competitive Kabaddi accelerated his growth. At the junior level, Ankush caught attention while representing the ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Commission) squad, where he showcased his defensive prowess as a left-corner defender. His performances at the Junior Nationals also earned him recognition as one of the most promising defenders.
A defining pre-PKL moment came when he helped his team win the prestigious All India Kabaddi Tournament, where he displayed his signature ankle hold – a move that has since become his trademark. This set the stage for his entry into the PKL, first with Bengaluru Bulls in Season 8, though he didn’t get regular game time that year. His true breakthrough came in Season 9 with Jaipur Pink Panthers, where he became one of the league’s standout defenders.
2. What has been Ankush Rathee’s impact in the Pro Kabaddi League?
Ankush Rathee’s PKL journey has been remarkable in a short span. Since making his debut in Season 9, he has established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the league. Across 69 matches, Ankush has already collected 227 tackle points, including 15 Super Tackles and 20 High 5s – an extraordinary record for a young player.
In Season 12, Ankush was acquired by Bengaluru Bulls for ₹30 lakh at the auction. Not just a key defender, Ankush was entrusted with the captaincy, stepping into a leadership role after the retirement of star player Pardeep Narwal. His calmness, tactical awareness, and ability to read raiders make him a feared opponent.
What separates Ankush from others is his blend of defensive technique and leadership. His ankle holds, body balance, and quick reflexes consistently halt even the best raiders in the league. Beyond individual brilliance, Ankush has shown the ability to marshal the defense line, motivate his teammates, and adapt strategies mid-match, proving his value as both a player and leader.
3. Why is Ankush Rathee considered a player to watch in PKL 12?
Ankush Rathee is widely regarded as one of the most promising defenders of the new generation in PKL. At just 21 years of age, he has already built a reputation for consistency and high-impact performances. His statistics reflect both defensive strength and the ability to deliver under pressure.
For Bengaluru Bulls in Season 12, Ankush’s role goes far beyond just being a left-corner defender. As the captain, he embodies the team’s spirit and resilience. With Pardeep Narwal retiring, the Bulls needed a strong figure to step up, and Ankush has fit perfectly into that responsibility. His fearless style, signature ankle hold, and sharp reading of the game make him central to the team’s success.
His early life in Rohtak, a hotbed for Kabaddi talent, coupled with exposure to grassroots and junior-level tournaments, gave him the confidence to excel on bigger stages. The discipline he learned at the Deepak Niwas Hooda Foundation continues to reflect in his professional career.
As PKL 12 progresses, Ankush will not only be the Bulls’ defensive anchor but also a crucial leader guiding young players. With his proven ability to deliver High 5s, execute Super Tackles, and inspire his team, Ankush Rathee is certainly a player to keep a close eye on this season.
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is getting bigger and better and the quality of Offence and defense have been brilliant let’s see how players would pursue their thought process in coming matches.
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