Dhiraj Bailmare: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Dhiraj Bailmare is a promising young kabaddi raider who represents Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. Born on 9th December 2004 in Karjat, Maharashtra, this 20-year-old right raider has made his mark in domestic kabaddi competitions before joining the professional league. Known for his exceptional jumping skills and dedication to the sport, Dhiraj Bailmare started playing kabaddi at the age of 15 during his school years and has steadily progressed through various levels to reach the Pro Kabaddi League.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Dhiraj Ravindra Bailmare |
| Date of Birth | 9th December, 2004 |
| Age | 20 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Karjat, Maharashtra |
| Position | Raider (Right Raider) |
| Jersey Number | 9 |
| PKL Debut | Season 12 (Tamil Thalaivas) |
| Coach | Aniket Mhatre |
| Academy | Midline Academy |
Early Life & Family
Dhiraj Bailmare was born on 9th December 2004 in Karjat, Maharashtra, where he currently resides. He comes from a supportive family that has encouraged his sporting career from the beginning. His father, Ravindra Bailmare, is a businessman who has provided the necessary support for Dhiraj’s kabaddi journey. His mother, Rajeshree Ravindra Bailmare, is a homemaker who has been instrumental in nurturing his passion for the sport.
Dhiraj Bailmare has an elder sister named Samidha Ravindra Bailmare, and together they form a close-knit family unit. The young raider discovered his love for kabaddi during his school years when he was just 15 years old. This early start in the sport helped him develop his skills and build a strong foundation for his future career in professional kabaddi.
Growing up in Maharashtra, a state known for producing talented kabaddi players, Dhiraj Bailmare had access to good training facilities and coaching. His family’s support combined with his natural talent and dedication has helped him progress from a school-level player to a professional kabaddi athlete in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Domestic Career
Dhiraj Bailmare has had a notable domestic kabaddi career before making his debut in the Pro Kabaddi League. His journey in competitive kabaddi began during his teenage years, and he has participated in several prestigious tournaments at the state and national levels.
Kumar Nationals 2022: One of Dhiraj’s significant achievements in domestic kabaddi was representing Maharashtra state in the Kumar Nationals 2022. This tournament is an important competition that brings together the best young talent from across the country, and his selection for the state team shows his skill level at a young age.
State Level Competitions: Dhiraj Bailmare has earned recognition at the state level, including winning the prestigious “Man of the Match” award in a state-level competition. This achievement highlights his ability to perform well in important matches and contribute significantly to his team’s success.
Training and Development: Throughout his domestic career, Dhiraj Bailmare has been training under the guidance of coach Aniket Mhatre at the Midline Academy. This professional coaching has helped him refine his techniques and develop his signature jumping skills that make him stand out as a raider.
His domestic success and consistent performances at various levels eventually caught the attention of Pro Kabaddi League scouts, leading to his selection by Tamil Thalaivas for Season 12.
PKL Journey
Dhiraj Bailmare made his Pro Kabaddi League debut in Season 12 (2025) with Tamil Thalaivas. His selection by the Chennai-based franchise marks the beginning of his professional kabaddi career at the highest level in India.
PKL Statistics
| Season | Year | Team | Matches | Points | Raid Points | Tackle Points |
| Season 12 | 2025 | Tamil Thalaivas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Overall | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
As a new player in PKL Season 12, Dhiraj Bailmare wears jersey number 9 for Tamil Thalaivas. He is part of the team’s raiding unit and is classified as a right raider, which means he typically raids from the right side of the court.
Tamil Thalaivas has shown faith in young talent by including Dhiraj in their squad for Season 12. The franchise retained several players and also brought in new faces like Dhiraj to strengthen their team for the new season. His inclusion in the squad shows the team management’s belief in his potential to contribute at the professional level.
Achievements
Despite his young age, Dhiraj Bailmare has already achieved several notable milestones in his kabaddi career:
Man of the Match Award: Dhiraj earned the prestigious “Man of the Match” award in a state-level competition, which shows his ability to deliver outstanding performances when it matters most.
State Representation: He represented Maharashtra in the Kumar Nationals 2022, which is a significant achievement for any young kabaddi player. This selection came after consistent performances at various levels and proved his ability to compete with the best players in his age group.
Pro Kabaddi League Selection: Making it to the Pro Kabaddi League at the age of 20 is an achievement in itself. His selection by Tamil Thalaivas for Season 12 shows that he has the talent and potential to succeed at the professional level.
Signature Skills: Dhiraj is known for his exceptional jumping skills, which set him apart from other raiders. This unique ability makes him a valuable asset for his team and helps him execute successful raids.
Professional Training: Training under coach Aniket Mhatre at the Midline Academy has helped him develop his skills and reach the professional level.
Social Media and More
Dhiraj Bailmare maintains an active presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where he can be found with the handle @dhiraj_bailmare_09. His Instagram bio includes important details about his kabaddi career, including his jersey number 9, his association with Tamil Thalaivas in PKL, and his connection with Midline Academy.
On his Instagram profile, Dhiraj mentions his participation in the 48th Junior National Championship and uses the tagline “Good things take time!!” which reflects his patient and determined approach to his kabaddi career. He regularly shares updates about his training sessions, match performances, and team activities.
His social media presence also shows his inspiration from established kabaddi players, particularly Navin Kumar, whose hand touch techniques he admires and tries to incorporate into his own game. This shows his willingness to learn from the best players in the sport.
Conclusion
Dhiraj Ravindra Bailmare represents the new generation of kabaddi players who are making their entry into the Pro Kabaddi League with strong domestic credentials and a clear vision for success. At just 20 years old, he has already shown his talent by representing his state in national competitions and earning recognition for his performances.
His journey from playing kabaddi at the age of 15 in school to joining Tamil Thalaivas in PKL Season 12 shows his dedication and steady progress in the sport. His exceptional jumping skills and training under professional guidance at Midline Academy have prepared him well for the challenges of professional kabaddi.
With the support of his family, particularly his father Ravindra Bailmare and mother Rajeshree Ravindra Bailmare, Dhiraj has been able to pursue his passion for kabaddi and reach the professional level. As he begins his Pro Kabaddi League journey with Tamil Thalaivas, he has the opportunity to learn from experienced players and establish himself as a reliable raider in the league.
His story of starting kabaddi at 15 and reaching the PKL by 20 serves as an inspiration for young players who dream of playing professional kabaddi. With his talent, dedication, and the platform provided by Tamil Thalaivas, Dhiraj Bailmare has the potential to become a successful raider in the Pro Kabaddi League.
