Devank Dalal Biography: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Devank Dalal’s journey from a farming family in Rohtak to becoming the most expensive Indian player in Pro Kabaddi League season 12, represents one of the most inspiring success stories. Born on April 1, 2000, in a small village in Rohtak district, Haryana, Devank Dalal faced numerous challenges during his childhood that would later shape his character and determination.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Devank Dalal |
| Date of Birth | April 1, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Position | Raider |
| Current Team | Bengal Warriors (PKL 12) |
| Previous Teams | Jaipur Pink Panthers (PKL 9 & 10), Patna Pirates (PKL 11) |
| PKL Debut | Season 9 (2022) |
| Best Performance | 301 raid points in PKL 11 |
| Military Service | Indian Army (Rajputana Rifles) |
Early Life & Family
Devank Dalal was born on April 1, 2000, in Rohtak, Haryana, into a farming family. Growing up in a small village in Rohtak district, Devank Dalal faced many challenges during his childhood. His family belongs to the farming community, and they struggled with financial difficulties for many years.
The young kabaddi star is the first person in his family to take up professional sports. Devank Dalal has younger siblings who have been inspired by his success and have also started playing kabaddi. His family has been very supportive of his kabaddi career, and when Devank Dalal was selected for Patna Pirates, there was a huge celebration in his village.
Devank Dalal often talks about his family’s sacrifices and how they have supported him throughout his journey. He says, “My family has done a lot for me, and I want them to lead a good life going forward. They have seen a lot of hard times, and now it is my time to give back to them and help them lead a happy life”.
Initially, Devank Dalal showed interest in other sports like football and cricket before finding his true calling in kabaddi. His inspiration came from watching legendary kabaddi player Pardeep Narwal play on television. After watching Pardeep Narwal’s performances, Devank Dalal decided to pursue kabaddi seriously after completing his tenth grade.
Domestic Career
Devank Dalal started his kabaddi journey at the age of 17 in local village akhadas (traditional training grounds) in Rohtak. His domestic career began when he played for the Rohtak team in the state-level championship, where he received his first kabaddi kit. This moment marked a significant milestone in his sporting journey.
In 2019, Devank Dalal played his first organized kabaddi tournament, where he scored 10 points and showcased his potential to coaches and selectors6. His performance at the state level helped him get recognition, and he started getting selected for higher-level competitions.
Devank Dalal’s domestic career took a major turn when he joined the Indian Army. His military service not only provided him with discipline and physical fitness but also opened doors for playing at the national level. He represents the Services team in national championships and has been a key player for them.
The turning point in Devank Dalal’s domestic career came with his army service. He says, “When I joined the army, I realized that yes, I could play”. The discipline and training he received in the Indian Army helped him improve his kabaddi skills significantly.
Devank Dalal has played many matches at state and national levels for the Services team. His consistent performances in domestic tournaments helped him get noticed by Pro Kabaddi League scouts. He has won several state-level championships and has been a regular player for Haryana and Services teams in national competitions.
PKL Journey
Devank Dalal’s Pro Kabaddi League journey began in Season 9 (2022) when Jaipur Pink Panthers bought him in the New Young Player (NYP) category. However, his initial seasons were challenging, and he didn’t get many opportunities to showcase his talent.
PKL Season 9 (2022)
In his debut season with Jaipur Pink Panthers, Devank Dalal played only 5 matches and scored 4 raid points from 11 total raids. Despite his limited playing time, he was part of the championship-winning squad as Jaipur Pink Panthers won the PKL Season 9 title.
PKL Season 10 (2023)
Jaipur Pink Panthers retained Devank Dalal for Season 10, showing their faith in his abilities. Unfortunately, his second season was marred by injury. He played only one match before being ruled out due to a head injury. He was replaced by Shubham Shelke in the Panthers squad in January 2023.
PKL Season 11 (2024) – The Breakthrough
After being released by Jaipur Pink Panthers, Devank Dalal was bought by Patna Pirates for Rs 20 lakhs in the Season 11 auction. This move proved to be career-changing for the young raider.
Devank Dalal had an outstanding Season 11, finishing as the league’s best raider with 301 raid points in 25 matches. He achieved a 71% raid strike rate and recorded 18 Super 10s, which was joint-most in the season along with Ashu Malik. Additionally, he scored 8 Super Raids during the season.
His most memorable performance came against Tamil Thalaivas, where Devank Dalal scored 25 raid points to help Patna Pirates win 42-40. This match is considered his career-defining moment and established him as a star player in the league.
Devank Dalal helped Patna Pirates reach the PKL Season 11 final, where they lost 32-23 to Haryana Steelers. Despite the loss, his individual performances earned him the title of Best Raider of Season 11.
PKL Season 12 (2025) – Record Transfer
Devank Dalal entered the PKL Season 12 auction as one of the most sought-after players. Bengal Warriors acquired him for a record-breaking Rs 2.205 crore, making him the most expensive Indian player in the auction. This transfer showed the high regard teams have for Devank Dalal’s abilities.
Achievements
Devank Dalal has achieved remarkable success in both domestic and professional kabaddi:
Pro Kabaddi League Achievements
- Best Raider PKL Season 11: Scored 301 raid points, the fourth player in PKL history to cross 300 points in a single season
- Joint-most Super 10s in PKL 11: 18 Super 10s (tied with Ashu Malik)
- PKL Season 9 Champion: Part of Jaipur Pink Panthers title-winning squad
- PKL Season 11 Finalist: Led Patna Pirates to the final
National Championships
- 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship Winner: Led Services team to victory
- Best Player Award: Crowned ‘Best Player’ at the 71st Senior National Championship
- Services vs Railways Final: Scored crucial points in the tie-breaker as Services won 6-4
Military Achievements
- Triple Promotion in Indian Army: Recently received triple promotion in Rajputana Rifles
- Services Team Captain: Regular captain of the Services kabaddi team
Records and Statistics
- 301 raid points in PKL 11: One of only four players to cross 300 points in a single PKL season6
- 71% raid strike rate: Exceptional success rate in Season 11
- Most expensive Indian player: Rs 2.205 crore transfer to Bengal Warriors in PKL 12
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total No. of Matches | 31 |
| Total Raids | 439 |
| Successful Raids % | 69.7% |
| No. of Super Raids | 10 |
| Super 10s | 18 |
| Total Raid Points | 306 |
| Average Raid Points/Match | 9.87 |
Conclusion
Devank Dalal’s journey from a farming family in Rohtak to becoming the most expensive Indian player in PKL history is truly inspiring. His story shows how dedication, hard work, and the support of family can help achieve great success. From struggling in his early PKL seasons to becoming the Best Raider in Season 11, Devank Dalal has shown remarkable growth and determination.
His military service in the Indian Army has played a crucial role in shaping his character and discipline. Devank Dalal’s ability to balance his army duties with professional kabaddi shows his commitment to both serving the country and excelling in sports.
The young raider’s partnership with different teams and players has always been excellent. His humble nature and team-first approach have made him a favorite among teammates and fans alike. Devank Dalal’s focus on continuous improvement and his hunger to win more titles make him one of the most promising players in Indian kabaddi.
With his move to Bengal Warriors for PKL Season 12, Devank Dalal will be looking to continue his excellent form and help his new team win their second title. His journey is far from over, and kabaddi fans can expect many more memorable performances from this rising star.
