Aanil Mohan: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Aanil Mohan is a professional kabaddi player from Himachal Pradesh who made history in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 auction when U Mumba purchased him for ₹78 lakhs, making it the highest-ever bid for a Category D player. Born and raised in the small village of Jasui in Sirmaur district, Aanil represents the dreams of countless young athletes from rural India who aspire to compete at the highest level of professional sports.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Aanil Mohan Singh |
| Place of Birth | Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Village | Jasui, Sirmaur District |
| Position | All-rounder (Left Raider) |
| Team (PKL Season 12) | U Mumba |
| Auction Price | ₹78 Lakhs |
| Record | Highest-ever Category D bid in PKL history |
| Family | Brother served in Indian Army |
| National Team | Represented Himachal Pradesh in Senior Nationals |
| PKL Debut Season | Season 12 (2025) |
Early Life & Family
Aanil Mohan comes from the small village of Jasui in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. In the world of kabaddi, where Haryana often dominates headlines and produces superstars, Aanil represents something different – a dream that refused to be confined by geography. His journey began in the most humble settings on the dusty courts of his village, where he first fell in love with the ancient sport that would eventually change his destiny.
Growing up in a rural family, Aanil’s biggest supporter was his brother, who had initially shown more promise in kabaddi. However, his brother chose to serve in the Indian Army, passing the family’s kabaddi dreams to Aanil. As Aanil Mohan explained, “My brother used to play more than me. He joined the army, and then my family supported me”. This statement reflects the sacrifice that many rural Indian families understand – the passing of dreams from one generation to the next.
The talent first caught attention during his 10th grade when his local coach noticed his natural ability. Even then, success seemed like a distant dream for a boy from such humble beginnings. Despite the challenges, his family provided unwavering support throughout his journey.
Domestic Career
Aanil Mohan’s domestic career began on the village courts of Jasui, where he developed his foundational skills. The real transformation in his career came when he made a brave decision to leave the comfort of his mountainous home and venture into Haryana, the heartland of kabaddi. Under the guidance of Ashan Kumar, former coach of the Tamil Thalaivas, he spent two to three years perfecting his skills and techniques.
This move to Haryana proved to be a turning point in his career. The training under experienced coaches helped him develop the technical aspects of his game while maintaining the raw passion he had developed in his village. After years of hard work and training, Aanil Mohan earned the opportunity to represent Himachal Pradesh in the Senior National Kabaddi Championship.
His performance in domestic competitions, particularly in the Yuva Kabaddi Series, caught the attention of professional scouts. In the Yuva Kabaddi Series, Aanil scored 134 points with 8 Super 10s and achieved 9 Super Raids, establishing himself as one of the top performers. These impressive statistics in youth competitions laid the foundation for his entry into professional kabaddi.
PKL Journey
Aanil Mohan Singh’s Pro Kabaddi League journey began with a historic moment during the PKL Season 12 Player Auction in 2025. The phone call that changed everything came while he was fast asleep. By the time he woke up, his life had been transformed completely.
U Mumba had secured his signature for a record-breaking ₹78 lakhs, making it the highest-ever bid in Category D in PKL history. The young all-rounder from Himachal Pradesh was still processing the magnitude of what had just happened when he learned about this life-changing moment. “At first, I couldn’t believe it,” Aanil Mohan recalled. “When I found out that U Mumba bought me for Rs 78 lakhs, I just couldn’t believe it was real”.
The bidding war for his services was intense, with Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba locked in fierce competition. Teams battled fiercely for his signature, recognizing his potential from his performances in youth tournaments. However, U Mumba ultimately secured his services, demonstrating their faith in young talent.
For PKL Season 12, Aanil Mohan will be playing as an all-rounder for U Mumba, working alongside experienced players like captain Sunil Kumar. As he expressed his excitement, “I will get to learn a lot from him. It’s very exciting to play with him”. Playing in such a competitive league represents a dream come true for the young player who had never participated in such a big tournament before.
Achievements
Aanil Mohan has achieved several milestones in his kabaddi career, despite being relatively new to professional kabaddi. His most significant achievement came during the PKL Season 12 Player Auction when he became the most expensive Category D player in PKL history, with U Mumba purchasing him for ₹78 lakhs.
In the Yuva Kabaddi Series, Aanil Mohan demonstrated exceptional performance statistics. He scored 134 points throughout the tournament, achieved 8 Super 10s (scoring 10 or more points in a match), and completed 9 Super Raids (successful raids earning multiple points). These numbers ranked him among the top performers in the youth competition and established him as a rising star in Indian kabaddi.
His representation of Himachal Pradesh in the Senior National Kabaddi Championship marked another important achievement in his career. This selection demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest domestic level and helped establish his credentials as a serious kabaddi player.
The record-breaking auction bid not only represents a personal achievement but also serves as inspiration for young players from smaller states and rural areas. Aanil has become a symbol of how talent and determination can overcome geographical limitations in Indian sports.
Conclusion
Aanil Mohan Singh’s journey from the dusty courts of Jasui village to the bright lights of the Pro Kabaddi League represents one of the most inspiring stories in Indian sports. His record-breaking ₹78 lakh auction bid by U Mumba has not only changed his life but also created history in the PKL.
Coming from a state that is not traditionally associated with kabaddi dominance, Aanil has proven that talent exists everywhere and needs only the right platform to flourish. His success story provides hope and motivation to countless young athletes from rural areas across India. With strong family support, dedicated training under experienced coaches, and natural talent, he has overcome geographical and economic barriers to reach professional kabaddi.
As he prepares for his PKL debut with U Mumba in Season 12, Aanil carries not just his own dreams but the hopes of aspiring kabaddi players from smaller states. His humble approach and eagerness to learn from experienced players like Sunil Kumar suggest that he is well-prepared for the challenges ahead. The young all-rounder from Himachal Pradesh has already made history, and his journey in professional kabaddi is just beginning.
