Arjun Deshwal Biography: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Arjun Deshwal is one of India’s most successful kabaddi players in recent years. Known as the “Raid Machine,” this young athlete has become a household name in the Pro Kabaddi League. From starting as a village boy in Uttar Pradesh to becoming a PKL champion and national team hero, Arjun Deshwal’s story shows how talent combined with hard work can lead to great success.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Arjun Deshwal |
| Date of Birth | 7 July 1999 |
| Age | 26 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Basera Village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh |
| Nickname | Raid Machine |
| Father’s Name | Charan Singh Deshwal |
| Mother’s Name | Seema Deshwal |
| Height | 5 ft 8 inches (178 cm) |
| Current Team | Tamil Thalaivas (PKL 2025) |
| Position | Right Raider |
| Jersey Number | 2 |
Early Life & Family
Arjun Deshwal was born on 7 July 1999 in Basera village, located in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. He comes from a farming family where his father Charan Singh Deshwal works as a farmer. His mother’s name is Seema Deshwal, and he has a younger brother named Aryan Deshwal.
Initially, Arjun Deshwal was more interested in playing cricket during his childhood. He used to watch boys in his village playing kabaddi on the village ground and noticed that many of them returned with medals and prizes from kabaddi tournaments. This observation made him curious about the sport, and he gradually shifted his focus from cricket to kabaddi.
Arjun’s journey into kabaddi wasn’t smooth at first. When he started training at the age of 14, he found the discipline and dedication required for the sport quite challenging. In fact, he even tried to quit kabaddi once because he didn’t like the strict training routine. However, his family supported him and encouraged him to continue. His guru, who was also a family member, played a crucial role in developing his kabaddi skills and keeping him motivated.
Arjun completed his schooling at Heritage Public School in Basera, Muzaffarnagar. Later, he pursued his college education at Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut. However, his focus remained on kabaddi throughout his academic years.
Domestic Career
Arjun Deshwal’s domestic kabaddi career began during his school years. He first represented his school in district-level competitions when he was just 16 years old. In 2015, he was selected for the under-16 School Nationals, which was his first major tournament experience.
His talent continued to shine as he progressed through different levels. In 2015, he was chosen as a state champion in the under-19 team. By 2017, he had advanced to playing in senior national competitions for the Services team. This was a significant step in his career as it gave him exposure to high-level kabaddi.
At the age of 18, Arjun decided to join the Indian Army through the sports quota. He went to Roorkee in Uttarakhand for army trials and impressed everyone with his performance. He successfully joined the army under the kabaddi sports quota and was enlisted at the Roorkee Center. This decision proved to be very important for his career because it was during his time with the army that he learned about the opportunities in Pro Kabaddi League.
Throughout his domestic career, Arjun represented the Services team in various national championships. His performance for the Services team was particularly notable during the 68th Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship, where his team finished in second place. This excellent performance caught the attention of PKL scouts and helped him get selected for the professional league.
PKL Journey
Arjun Deshwal’s Pro Kabaddi League journey began in 2018 when he was selected by U Mumba for PKL Season 6. However, his start was quite difficult. He was bought for just Rs 8 lakhs and played only 3 matches throughout the season, scoring just 4 raid points. This was a challenging time for the young raider as he struggled to make his mark in the league.
Season 7 (2019) – U Mumba: The following season showed some improvement. U Mumba retained him for Rs 19.46 lakhs, showing faith in his abilities. In Season 7, Arjun played 19 matches and scored 104 raid points along with two Super raids and three Super 10s. This season was important because it showed glimpses of his true potential.
Season 8 (2021) – Jaipur Pink Panthers: The real turning point came when Jaipur Pink Panthers bought him for a massive Rs 96 lakhs in the Season 8 auction. This made him the third most expensive player of that season. The big investment showed the confidence that Jaipur had in his abilities. During this season, he scored 267 total raid points and 16 Super 10s, establishing himself as one of the top raiders in the league.
Season 9 (2022) – Championship Season: This was Arjun Deshwal’s breakthrough season. Jaipur Pink Panthers retained him for Rs 105.6 lakhs. He had an outstanding season, scoring 296 raid points in 24 matches – the highest by any player that season. He also achieved 17 Super 10s, which was the most by any player in Season 9. His brilliant performances helped Jaipur Pink Panthers win their second PKL title, and he was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the season.
Season 10 (2023): Arjun was retained by Jaipur Pink Panthers again. He scored 276 raid points in 23 matches and became the joint top raid points scorer of the season. During this season, he also achieved a personal milestone by recording his 700th raid point in PKL, making him the 10th player in history to reach this mark.
Season 11 (2024): Arjun continued his excellent form and became the second fastest player in PKL history to reach 1000 raid points. He achieved this milestone in just 97 matches, making him the seventh player overall to join the elite 1000 raid points club. Throughout Season 11, he scored 227 raid points.
Season 12 (2025) – New Chapter: For PKL Season 12, Arjun was released by Jaipur Pink Panthers and was bought by Tamil Thalaivas for Rs 1.405 crores. He will now team up with Pawan Sehrawat at Tamil Thalaivas, forming what fans have voted as their favorite power duo for the season.
Indian Kabaddi Team Journey
Arjun Deshwal’s international career with the Indian kabaddi team has been highly successful. He was selected to represent India at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. This tournament became the highlight of his international career as the Indian team won the gold medal after defeating Iran 33-29 in the final. This victory was particularly special because Iran had been the dominant team in Asian kabaddi for many years.
Following the Asian Games success, Arjun was also part of the Indian team that won gold at the 11th Asian Kabaddi Championship in 2023. The tournament was held in Busan, South Korea, and India’s victory there further established their dominance in international kabaddi.
These international achievements have been very important for Arjun’s career. His success with the Indian team has made him a respected figure in kabaddi and has opened up various opportunities for him. In recognition of his sporting achievements, he was appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Uttar Pradesh police in January 2024.The Sports Department of Uttar Pradesh also gave him a reward of Rs 3 crores for his contributions to Indian kabaddi.
Achievements
Arjun Deshwal has achieved numerous records and honors throughout his PKL and international career:
PKL Individual Records:
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in PKL Season 9
- Second fastest player to reach 1000 raid points in PKL history
- Seventh player overall to join the 1000 raid points club
- 10th player in PKL history to score 700+ raid points
- Highest raid points in Season 9 with 296 points
- Joint highest raid points scorer in Season 10 with 276 points
- Most Super 10s in Season 9 with 17 Super 10s
PKL Team Achievements:
- PKL Champion with Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 9
- Helped Jaipur Pink Panthers reach playoffs in multiple seasons
International Achievements:
- Gold medal at 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China
- Gold medal at 11th Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023
- Bronze medal at 36th National Games 2022
Personal Honors and Recognition:
- Appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in UP Police
- Received Rs 3 crores reward from UP Sports Department
- Known by the nickname “Raid Machine” across the kabaddi community
Social Media and More
Arjun Deshwal is very active on social media and uses these platforms to connect with his fans and share his journey. His social media presence has grown significantly as his career has progressed.
Instagram: Arjun’s main Instagram account is @kabaddiarjundeshwal, where he has a significant following. He regularly posts training videos, match highlights, and personal moments from his life. His posts often feature his achievements, workout routines, and behind-the-scenes moments from PKL matches. The account is verified and shows his current designation as DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police).
Personal Interests: Outside kabaddi, Arjun has several interests and hobbies. He is a big fan of cricket and especially admires former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He enjoys traveling and often shares pictures from his trips to different places. His favorite travel destination is Mussoorie. When it comes to food, he loves Dal Makhani and Roti, and his preferred drink is sweet lemon juice.
Lifestyle: Arjun owns a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle, which shows his love for bikes. He has a tattoo on his left arm that reads “Kabaddi is my passion,” which perfectly describes his dedication to the sport. His favorite exercise is running, which helps him maintain his fitness for kabaddi.
Conclusion
Arjun Deshwal’s journey from a village boy in Muzaffarnagar to becoming one of India’s top kabaddi players is truly inspiring. His story shows that with dedication, hard work, and family support, it’s possible to achieve great success in sports. From initially wanting to quit kabaddi due to its tough training to becoming the “Raid Machine” of PKL, Arjun has proven that perseverance pays off.
His career highlights include winning the PKL championship with Jaipur Pink Panthers, earning the MVP award, and helping India win gold at the Asian Games. With over 1000 raid points in PKL, he has joined an exclusive club of elite raiders. His recent move to Tamil Thalaivas for PKL Season 12 opens a new chapter in his career, where he will team up with another star player, Pawan Sehrawat.
Today, Arjun Deshwal serves as an inspiration for young kabaddi players across India. His success has brought recognition not just to himself but also to his village and state. As he continues to play at the highest level, fans can expect more exciting performances and achievements from this talented athlete. His journey teaches us that dreams can come true with proper planning, consistent effort, and unwavering determination.
