Ajit Chouhan: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
At just 19 years old, Ajit Chouhan, a young raider from Pune has already made his mark as one of the most exciting talents to emerge in recent years. Ajit’s journey from working as a delivery boy in Balewadi to becoming U Mumba’s star raider in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 represents the classic tale of dreams meeting opportunity.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ajit Ramesh Chouhan |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 2005 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 19 years |
| Position | Left Raider |
| Birthplace | Thergaon, Pune, Maharashtra |
| Current Residence | Pune, Maharashtra |
| PKL Team | U Mumba |
| PKL Debut Season | Season 11 (2024) |
| State Team | Maharashtra |
Early Life & Family
Ajit Chouhan was born on August 10, 2005, in Thergaon, a suburb of Pune, Maharashtra. He grew up in a working-class family where his father worked as a truck driver, traveling across the country before the family settled permanently in Pune when Ajit was around 4-5 years old. After experiencing physical strain from driving trucks for long distances, his father transitioned to running a vegetable-selling business at Dange Chowk in Pune, with the entire family, including Ajit and his mother, contributing to the family business.
The financial situation of the family was challenging, which meant that after completing his 10th standard, Ajit Chouhan had to take on various jobs to support his family while continuing his sports training. During this period, he worked at construction sites, participated in large wedding ceremonies as a worker, and even worked as a delivery boy for Blinkit, with his office located in Balewadi. Interestingly, the same Balewadi ground where he once worked as a delivery boy later became the venue where he would showcase his kabaddi skills as a professional player for U Mumba.youtube
Initially, Ajit Chouhan’s family was opposed to his involvement in kabaddi due to concerns about potential injuries. However, his coaches recognized his talent and supported his pursuit of the sport, which eventually led to his family’s acceptance of his kabaddi career.youtube
Domestic Career
Ajit Chouhan’s kabaddi journey began with an interesting transition from kickboxing. At the age of five, he started training in kickboxing and continued with this sport until he was around seven years old. However, his switch to kabaddi occurred in the seventh grade when he noticed that his school friends were more interested in kabaddi than kickboxing. What started as playing with friends gradually evolved into a serious sporting pursuit.
Initially, Ajit Chouhan played as a left-corner defender when he first started his kabaddi career. However, he later made the transition to become a left raider, the position that would eventually make him famous in the Pro Kabaddi League. This positional change proved to be crucial for his development as a player.
Ajit’s domestic kabaddi career includes representation of Maharashtra state team in national competitions. He has been part of the Maharashtra senior kabaddi squad and played in the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship, where Maharashtra showed strong performance with guidance from experienced players like Akash Shinde and Pankaj Mohite, alongside Ajit Chouhan.
His achievements in domestic kabaddi include being a medalist at the 5th Khelo India Games. Additionally, he has represented junior and senior national teams, demonstrating his consistent performance across different age categories. The young raider was scouted by U Mumba following his excellent performances in the Yuva Kabaddi Series, where he showcased his readiness for professional kabaddi.
PKL Journey
Ajit Chouhan made his Pro Kabaddi League debut in Season 11 (2024) with U Mumba. His entry into PKL marked the beginning of what would become one of the most impressive debut seasons in recent PKL history.
His PKL debut was spectacular, playing against Dabang Delhi K.C. at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad in October 2024, Ajit scored a Super 10 on his very first match, picking up 10 raid points. Although U Mumba lost that match 28-36, Ajit’s performance announced his arrival on the biggest kabaddi stage.
One of Ajit Chouhan’s most memorable performances came in Match 37 against Patna Pirates, where he delivered a raiding masterclass by scoring a whopping 19 raid points to guide U Mumba to a thrilling 42-40 victory in Hyderabad. This performance earned him widespread recognition and praise from kabaddi enthusiasts.
Another standout performance was against Haryana Steelers at the Noida Indoor Stadium, where he scored 17-18 raid points. Despite his exceptional individual performance, U Mumba lost this match 39-48 to Haryana Steelers, but Ajit’s raiding skills were widely appreciated.
In the Maharashtra Derby against Puneri Paltan, Ajit Chouhan played a crucial role in U Mumba’s 43-29 victory, scoring 12 raid points and helping his team secure bragging rights in the rivalry. His Super Raid in this match was selected as the “Moment of the Day”.
Throughout Season 11, Ajit Chouhan played all 23 matches for U Mumba and accumulated 185 raid points plus 1 tackle point, totaling 186 points. His consistency was remarkable, as he maintained a raid strike rate of 61% and achieved 9 Super 10s and 9 Super Raids during the season.
Ajit’s performances were instrumental in U Mumba’s return to the playoffs after three seasons. The team qualified for the PKL Playoffs, and their campaign eventually ended with a 31-23 loss to Patna Pirates in Eliminator 2.
| Stats | Value |
| Total No. of Matches | 23 |
| Total Raids | 301 |
| Successful Raids % | 61.46% |
| No. of Super Raids | 9 |
| Super 10s | 9 |
| Total Raids Points | 185 |
| Average Raid Points/Match | 8.04 |
Achievements
Ajit Chouhan’s achievements, despite his young age, are impressive and span across different levels of kabaddi competition.
PKL Season 11 Achievements:
- Scored 185 raid points in 23 matches, making him one of the top raiders of the season
- Achieved 9 Super 10s and 9 Super Raids
- Maintained a raid strike rate of 61%
- Topped the charts for Super Raids among all raiders in PKL Season 11
- Ranked fourth and fifth in Super Raids and Successful Raids categories respectively
- Scored the fifth-most points overall (186) in the season
Notable Individual Match Performances:
- 19 raid points against Patna Pirates – one of the highest individual scores in Season 11
- 17-18 raid points against Haryana Steelers
- 15 raid points against Patna Pirates in another match
- 12 raid points in the Maharashtra Derby against Puneri Paltan
- 10 raid points against Tamil Thalaivas
National Level Achievements:
- 5th Khelo India Games medalist
- Junior National kabaddi team representative
- Senior National kabaddi team representative
- Member of Maharashtra state kabaddi team
Recognition and Awards:
- Multiple “Raider of the Day” awards during PKL Season 11youtube+2
- Several “Moment of the Day” recognitions for his Super Raidsyoutube
Team Achievements:
- Helped U Mumba qualify for PKL playoffs after three seasons
- Contributed to U Mumba’s strong season where they won 12 games, their most since Season 7
Social Media and More
Ajit Chouhan maintains an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where he connects with his growing fan base. His Instagram handle is @ajit_kabaddi_009, and he has amassed over 44,000 followers.
Through his social media presence, Ajit shares glimpses of his kabaddi journey, training sessions, match highlights, and personal moments. His posts often receive significant engagement from kabaddi fans who appreciate his playing style and humble demeanor. The young raider frequently shares motivational content and behind-the-scenes moments from his PKL experience with U Mumba.
Ajit’s inspirational story has been featured in various PKL promotional content, including the “Rise of a Star” series, which highlighted his journey from working various jobs to becoming a PKL sensation. His story has also been covered in interviews and features where he discusses his transition from kickboxing to kabaddi and his experiences working as a delivery boy while pursuing his kabaddi dreams.
Conclusion
Ajit Chouhan’s journey from a delivery boy in Balewadi to becoming one of the most exciting raiders in Pro Kabaddi League represents the true spirit of Indian sports. His debut season in PKL 11 with U Mumba was nothing short of remarkable, as he established himself as one of the premier raiders in the league with 185 raid points, 9 Super 10s, and 9 Super Raids.
The 19-year-old left raider’s success story is built on determination, family support, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arise. His transition from kickboxing to kabaddi, followed by his evolution from a defender to a raider, demonstrates his adaptability and learning mindset. The fact that he worked various jobs while continuing his kabaddi training shows his commitment to both supporting his family and pursuing his sporting dreams.
Ajit’s impact on U Mumba was immediate and significant, helping the team return to the playoffs after a three-year gap. His performances against top teams like Patna Pirates, Haryana Steelers, and Puneri Paltan established him as a reliable match-winner for his team. With his impressive raid strike rate of 61% and consistent point-scoring ability, he has proven that age is no barrier to success in professional kabaddi.
Looking at his achievements across different levels – from Khelo India Games to junior and senior national teams, and now PKL – Ajit Chouhan has consistently delivered results. His humble background and grounded personality, reflected in his social media presence, make him a relatable figure for young kabaddi enthusiasts across the country.
As he continues his kabaddi career, Ajit Chouhan represents the new generation of Indian kabaddi players who combine traditional skills with modern training methods and professional approach to the game. His journey serves as an inspiration for countless young players who dream of making it to the Pro Kabaddi League despite facing financial and social challenges.
