Aashish Umed: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Aashish Umed, also known as Aashish Malik, is a professional kabaddi player from India who plays as a left cover defender for Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on 17th August 2000, this 25-year-old defender has been part of Tamil Thalaivas since Season 8 and continues to be an important member of the team’s defense unit. Known for his signature ankle-hold technique, Aashish Umed has shown steady growth as a defender over his five seasons in the PKL.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Aashish Umed (Aashish Malik) |
| Date of Birth | 17th August, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years (as of 2025) |
| Position | Defender (Left Cover) |
| PKL Debut | Season 8 (Tamil Thalaivas) |
Early Life & Family
Aashish Umed was born on 17th August 2000, making him a Leo by zodiac sign. The young defender celebrates his birthday every year on August 17th, and Tamil Thalaivas often shares special posts on social media to mark the occasion. While detailed information about his family background is limited, Aashish has mentioned in interviews that his kabaddi journey started from his village, where he was inspired by good players around him.
According to available information, Aashish stands 5’9 feet tall, which gives him a good physical build for his role as a defender. His physical attributes combined with his technique make him suitable for the left cover defender position in kabaddi.
Domestic Career
Information about Aashish Umed’s domestic kabaddi career before joining the Pro Kabaddi League is limited in the available sources. Like many kabaddi players, he likely started playing the sport at the grassroots level in his village before making his way to professional kabaddi.
The defender has mentioned that he started playing kabaddi by watching good players in his village, which inspired him to take up the sport seriously. His journey from village-level kabaddi to the professional stage shows his dedication and hard work in developing his skills as a defender.
PKL Journey
Aashish Umed made his Pro Kabaddi League debut in Season 8 (2021) with Tamil Thalaivas and has remained loyal to the franchise ever since. His PKL journey spans five seasons from 2021 to 2025, showing the trust that Tamil Thalaivas management has placed in him as a defender.
PKL Statistics
| Season | Team | Matches | Tackle Points | Raid Points | Total Points |
| Season 8 | Tamil Thalaivas | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Season 9 | Tamil Thalaivas | 6 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| Season 10 | Tamil Thalaivas | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Season 11 | Tamil Thalaivas | 14 | 22 | 3 | 25 |
| Season 12 | Tamil Thalaivas | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Overall | – | 33 | 47 | 4 | 51 |
During Season 11, Aashish had his best performance, earning 5 tackle points in a single match against Gujarat Giants, where he kept their raiders at bay with his solid defensive work. This performance earned him recognition and showed his growth as a defender. He has maintained a tackle strike rate of 50% across his PKL career.
Achievements
While Aashish Umed has not won major individual awards, his consistent presence in the Tamil Thalaivas squad across five seasons is an achievement in itself.
Tamil Thalaivas qualified for the playoffs in Season 9, and Aashish was part of that campaign, contributing to the team’s defensive efforts.
Social Media and More
Aashish Umed is active on social media, particularly Instagram, where he goes by the handle @ashish_malik_4. His Instagram profile describes him as a “Professional kabaddi player” and mentions his association with Pro Kabaddi seasons 8, 9, 10, and 11. He regularly posts content related to his kabaddi career and training.
Tamil Thalaivas frequently features Aashish in their social media posts, especially during his birthday celebrations and team announcements. The franchise has shown appreciation for his dedication and commitment to the team over the years.
In interviews, Aashish has mentioned that he looks up to defender Sunil Malik and considers kabaddi to be everything in his life. He has expressed his goal to work hard and improve his game in the coming years, showing his commitment to the sport.
Conclusion
Aashish Umed represents the dedication and loyalty that is often seen in professional kabaddi. His five-season journey with Tamil Thalaivas shows both his consistency as a player and the trust that the franchise has in his abilities. While he may not have the highest statistics in terms of matches played, his role as a reliable squad member and his gradual improvement over the seasons make him a valuable asset for Tamil Thalaivas.
The defender’s best performance came in Season 11 when he earned 6 tackle points in a single match, showing that he has the ability to step up when needed. His signature ankle-hold technique and his position as a left cover defender make him a specialist in his role. As he continues his journey with Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12 and beyond, Aashish Umed remains focused on contributing to his team’s success and improving his individual performance in the Pro Kabaddi League.
