Gaurav Khatri, born on 2 February 2000 in Narela, Delhi, has quickly emerged as one of India’s most promising kabaddi defenders. Standing at 1.73 m, his lean build and agile footwork make him a formidable right-corner specialist in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). From humble beginnings on village mats to lifting the PKL trophy with Puneri Paltan, Gaurav’s disciplined training, focus, and sharp ankle holds have earned him recognition in global Kabaddi circuits.

Information	Details
Full Name	Gaurav Khatri
Date of Birth	2 February 2000
Age (as of 2025)	25 Years
Birthplace	Narela, Delhi, India
Hometown	Delhi, India
Nationality	Indian
Height	1.73 m (5’ 8”)

Early Life & Family

Gaurav Khatri was born on 2 February 2000 in Narela, Delhi. His father played kabaddi at a local level, so the sport was already part of daily life. As a schoolboy he joined evening practice sessions on dusty village mats and, by age 15, he was entering neighbourhood tournaments to gain match experience.

The defender stands 1.73 m tall and keeps a lean 60 kg frame through regular gym and swimming sessions1. He has one brother and one sister. Gaurav credits his parents for steady support and often calls his father “first coach” in interviews.

Domestic Career

Because kabaddi is popular across northern India, Gaurav Khatri spent his teenage weekends travelling to Delhi and Uttarakhand village events, sharpening ankle-hold timing against older raiders. His breakout came at the 2023 summer circuit of local meets, where he captained a Delhi side and collected several best-defender prizes.

Later in 2024 he featured in the 70th Senior National Men’s Championship, a key pathway to the India camp. Footage shows his solid right-corner positioning and quick recovery, assets that soon attracted Pro Kabaddi scouts.

PKL Journey

Season 9 – A Surprise Call-Up

Puneri Paltan needed an injury replacement during the COVID-hit PKL 9 campaign. They signed Gaurav Khatri as a New Young Player. Nervous yet eager, he debuted versus Bengaluru Bulls and trapped star raider Bharat with a sharp ankle hold. Across 16 matches he gathered 20 tackle points at 47% success. Most importantly, coach Ashok Shinde trusted him in both the semi-final and the final, giving the youngster grand-stage exposure even though the team finished runners-up.

Season 10 – The Breakthrough

Retained in the Elite category, Gaurav started every match in PKL 10. With help from Iranian powerhouse Mohammadreza Shadloui, he strengthened the right corner and finished with 69 tackle points and a 59% strike rate. Four High 5s, two Super Tackles and consistent advanced ankle holds established him among the league’s top eight defenders. More importantly, Puneri Paltan lifted their maiden PKL title, and Gaurav labelled the night “dream fulfilled” during the Rise of a Star episode.

Season 11 – Holding the Fort

Season 11 tested Puneri Paltan after captain Aslam Inamdar’s injury and Shadloui’s transfer. Gaurav Khatri responded with leadership at the back, logging 61 tackle points from 21 outings and six High 5s. He frequently wore the orange band for most tackle points during the first half of the season. Although the team missed the playoffs, analysts praised his 57% success rate, well above league average.

PKL Statistics

Stats	Value
Total No. of Matches	61
No. of Super Tackles	6
High 5s	10
Total Tackle Points	150
Average Successful Tackles/Match	2.36
Total Tackles	254
Tackle Success Rate %	57%

Indian Kabaddi Team Progress

Strong PKL form earned him a call to the national probables camp in early 2025, where coaches evaluate candidates for Asian and South Asian Games. Videos from the camp show him training beside Pawan Sehrawat and other senior names. Selection for the final Indian squad is fiercely competitive, but Gaurav’s right-corner depth and back-hold skill keep him in future plans.

Achievements

• PKL Champion – Season 10 (Puneri Paltan).
• Most Tackle Points Leader (multiple weeks) – Season 111.
• Defender of the Day awards in multiple seasons.
• Six High 5s in PKL 11, third-best in the league.
• Featured subject of the official “Rise of a Star” documentary episode.

Social Media and More

Gaurav Khatri stays active on Instagram through verified handle, @gauravkhatri_03, where he posts gym clips, dog-lover photos and match highlights. Regular training reels often trend among kabaddi fans, increasing his follower count and drawing brand attention for fitness gear promotions.

He also appears in Puneri Paltan’s YouTube content, showcasing High 5 compilations and coaching clinics for kids16. The league’s official channels highlight his top tackles almost every week, making him a familiar face for young viewers learning defensive basics.

Conclusion

Gaurav Khatri’s journey from dusty Delhi fields to lifting the PKL trophy is built on family support, countless local matches and relentless practice. Season by season, the simple yet fearless defender has raised his numbers—21 tackle points in Season 9, 72 total points in a title-winning Season 10 and 61 points amid adversity in Season 11.

Because he combines clean ankle holds with swift recoveries, coaches value his consistency, and national selectors have already placed him in the India camp. At just twenty-five, Gaurav Khatri remains on an upward curve, and his grounded attitude plus continuous learning suggest many more match-winning tackles ahead.