Hardeep: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Hardeep Kandola, known professionally as Hardeep Ranbir, is a young kabaddi player from Haryana who has made his mark in the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on August 10, 2004, this 19-year-old left-corner defender has become an important part of the Haryana Steelers team that won the PKL Season 11 championship. His journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming a professional kabaddi player shows the power of hard work and family support.
| Category | Detail |
| Full Name | Hardeep Kandola (Hardeep Ranbir) |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 2004 |
| Age | 19 years (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Haryana, India |
| Position | Left-corner defender |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| PKL Debut | Season 10 (Haryana Steelers) |
Early Life & Family
Hardeep Kandola was born in a small village in Haryana on August 10, 2004. Growing up in a state where kabaddi is deeply loved, Hardeep was introduced to the sport at a young age. His family has played a big role in supporting his kabaddi dreams, with his uncle Manjeet being especially important in helping him reach the Pro Kabaddi League.
The young defender comes from a humble background in rural Haryana, where kabaddi is not just a sport but a way of life. His family understood his passion for the game and made sure he got the right training and support. This family backing became very important when Hardeep decided to make kabaddi his career.
One of his biggest inspirations is Narender Kandola, who he considers his favorite kabaddi player. This shows how players from similar backgrounds can inspire each other to reach new heights in the sport. Hardeep’s journey from his village to professional kabaddi reflects the dreams of many young players from rural India who see kabaddi as a path to success.
Domestic Career
Before joining the Pro Kabaddi League, Hardeep worked on his skills through domestic kabaddi tournaments and training programs. He received his kabaddi training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Haryana, which is known for producing quality kabaddi players.
In 2023, Hardeep took part in the Yuva Kabaddi Series as a member of the Kaziranga Rhinos team. This tournament became very important for his development as a professional player. During the Yuva Kabaddi Series, he played 11 matches and scored 37 tackle points from a total of 77 tackles. This performance showed his defensive skills and helped him get noticed by Pro Kabaddi League scouts.
The Yuva Kabaddi Series gave Hardeep the platform he needed to show his talents at a competitive level. His consistent performance in domestic tournaments helped him build confidence and improve his game. These experiences prepared him well for the challenges of professional kabaddi in the PKL.
PKL Journey
Hardeep made his Pro Kabaddi League debut with Haryana Steelers in Season 10 (2023). Since then, he has been an important part of the team’s defensive setup. His position as a left-corner defender allows him to use his strong tackling skills to stop opposition raiders.
In the PKL auctions for Season 12, Haryana Steelers used their Final Bid Match (FBM) card to retain Hardeep. This shows how much the team values his contribution to their success. The FBM card is used by teams to keep players they consider very important for their squad.
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Tackle Points | Raid Points | Total Points |
| PKL 11 (2024) | Haryana Steelers | 10 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PKL 12 (2025) | Haryana Steelers | 5 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Overall | – | 15 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Hardeep’s statistics show steady improvement in his tackle strike rate from 14% in PKL 11 to 35% in PKL 12. As a defender, all his points come from successful tackles, which shows his focus on his defensive role. His overall tackle strike rate of 35% is good for a young player still learning the professional game.
Achievements
Hardeep’s biggest achievement came when he was part of the Haryana Steelers team that won the PKL Season 11 championship. This was the team’s first-ever PKL title, making it a historic moment for both Hardeep and the franchise. Being part of a championship-winning team at such a young age is a great achievement for any kabaddi player.
In domestic competitions, his performance in the Yuva Kabaddi Series stands out. He scored 37 tackle points in 11 matches, showing his defensive abilities before entering professional kabaddi. This performance helped him get selected for the Pro Kabaddi League.
His quick improvement from PKL 11 to PKL 12 is also worth noting. His tackle strike rate improved from 14% to 35%, showing that he is learning fast and getting better with each season. This improvement shows his dedication to the sport and his ability to adapt to professional kabaddi.
Social Media and More
Hardeep maintains an active presence on social media, especially Instagram, where his handle is @hardeep_kandola_4. His Instagram profile shows his devotion to his faith with posts about “Jai Baba Bajarang Bali” and “Jai Mahakal”. He has over 2.3K followers and follows 224 accounts, with 97 posts on his profile.
Through his social media, fans can see his journey as a professional kabaddi player and his life outside the sport. His posts often include training sessions, match highlights, and personal moments. Social media has become an important way for young kabaddi players like Hardeep to connect with fans and build their personal brand.
His social media presence also shows his pride in representing the Pro Kabaddi League. His bio mentions being part of the “PKL 11 champion” team, showing how important this achievement is for him. This helps inspire other young players who follow him on social media.
Conclusion
Hardeep Kandola’s journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming a Pro Kabaddi League champion shows the opportunities that kabaddi offers to young talent in India. At just 19 years old, he has already achieved what many players dream of – winning a PKL championship. His story is one of hard work, family support, and the right opportunities coming together.
His improvement from PKL 11 to PKL 12 shows that he is still growing as a player. With his tackle strike rate improving from 14% to 35%, Hardeep is showing that he can adapt and get better with experience. This improvement suggests that his best years in kabaddi are still ahead of him.
As a left-corner defender for Haryana Steelers, Hardeep has found his place in one of the most successful teams in recent PKL history. His retention by the team using the FBM card shows that the franchise believes in his potential. With continued hard work and dedication, Hardeep Kandola has the chance to become one of the top defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League and inspire more young players from rural India to follow their kabaddi dreams.
