Mayank Saini: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Mayank Saini is a young and promising kabaddi player from Himachal Pradesh who has recently made his mark in the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on 29 May 2001 in the small town of Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, this 24-year-old right raider has become an important player for the defending champions Haryana Steelers in PKL Season 12. His journey from watching local kabaddi tournaments to becoming a professional player shows his dedication and love for the sport. Mayank Saini’s coach Manpreet Singh has praised his abilities and fought with the team management to sign him, showing the high regard he holds for this young talent.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Mayank Gurnam Saini |
| Date of Birth | May 29, 2001 |
| Age | 24 years (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh |
| Position | Right Raider |
| PKL Debut | Season 12 (Haryana Steelers) |
| Training Background | Khelo India Centre, Rajpura, Haridwar |
| Coach | Sanjeev Thakur (8 years of training) |
| Family | Father: Gurnam Singh (factory supervisor), Mother: Parveen Kumari (homemaker) |
| Starting Age | Began kabaddi at age 15 |
| Favorite Skills | Jump and escape moves |
| Role Model | Naveen Kumar Goyat |
| Major Achievements | Gold medals at Khelo India and All India tournaments |
| Representative Career | Himachal Pradesh at Junior and Senior National levels |
| Education | Currently pursuing undergraduate studies |
Early Life & Family
Mayank Saini was born on 29 May 2001 in Nalagarh, a peaceful town in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. He comes from a loving family with his father Gurnam Singh working as a factory supervisor and his mother Parveen Kumari being a dedicated homemaker. His family has been very supportive of his kabaddi dreams from the beginning.
Growing up in the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh, Mayank Saini discovered his passion for kabaddi at the age of 15 while watching local tournaments. What started as simple curiosity while watching kabaddi matches soon turned into an unstoppable commitment to the sport. His interest in kabaddi grew when he saw how exciting and competitive the local tournaments were in his region.
His early years were spent under the loving guidance of his parents who encouraged him to pursue his passion. The peaceful environment of Nalagarh provided him with the perfect setting to develop his skills and focus on his kabaddi training. His family’s support played a crucial role in his development as a kabaddi player.
Domestic Career
Mayank Saini’s domestic kabaddi career began when he started training under the guidance of Coach Sanjeev Thakur. For nearly eight years, he honed his skills at the Khelo India Centre in Rajpura, Haridwar, where he learned the technical aspects of the game. This long training period helped him develop into a skilled raider.
During his domestic career, Mayank Saini achieved significant success by winning gold medals at important events including Khelo India and All India tournaments. These victories showed his potential and ability to perform at higher levels of competition. His success in domestic tournaments caught the attention of scouts and coaches.
Mayank Saini also represented Himachal Pradesh at both Junior and Senior National levels, which was a proud moment for him and his state. His favorite raiding skills include jump and escape moves, which highlight his agility and quick thinking on the kabaddi mat. He looks up to kabaddi star Naveen Kumar Goyat for inspiration, admiring his cool behavior and impressive defensive techniques.
His consistent performance in domestic kabaddi helped him get noticed by professional teams. The experience he gained representing his state at national levels prepared him well for the challenges of professional kabaddi in the PKL.
PKL Journey
Mayank Saini made his Pro Kabaddi League debut with Haryana Steelers in Season 12 (2025). His entry into the PKL was particularly special because Haryana Steelers coach Manpreet Singh had been watching him for two years before finally signing him. Coach Manpreet revealed that he fought with the team management to buy Mayank at the PKL auction, showing his faith in the young raider’s abilities.
PKL Career Statistics
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Raid Points | Tackle Points | Total Points |
| Season 12 | Haryana Steelers | 5 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| Overall | – | 5 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
In his PKL debut season, Mayank Saini has shown great promise as a substitute player. His most notable performance came in the match against Tamil Thalaivas where he played as a substitute and scored four crucial touch points to help Haryana Steelers win 38-36. This performance showed his ability to deliver when his team needed him most.
Coach Manpreet Singh has praised Mayank’s raid success rate, mentioning that in one match, Mayank Saini went in to raid 10 times and got tackled only twice, showing his efficiency as a raider. His performance has impressed not only the coach but also team captain Jaideep Dahiya, who loves Mayank’s raiding skills.
Mayank Saini currently has a 50% raid strike rate in Season 12, which is a good statistic for a young player in his debut season. He has earned a total of 16 points in 5 matches, showing consistent contribution to his team’s success.
Achievements
Mayank Saini’s biggest achievement in his young career has been making it to the Pro Kabaddi League with the defending champions Haryana Steelers. Getting selected by such a successful team in his first PKL season is a significant accomplishment for any young player.
During his domestic career, Mayank Saini won gold medals at prestigious tournaments including Khelo India and All India competitions. These victories at national level tournaments showed his potential and helped him gain recognition in the kabaddi community.
His selection for Junior and Senior National levels while representing Himachal Pradesh was another major achievement. This recognition at the national level proved that he had the skills to compete with the best players from across India.
Coach Manpreet Singh’s faith in Mayank is evident from his statement that he fought with the management to sign him. The coach also expressed hope that Mayank will play for India one day, showing the high expectations people have from this young talent.
His successful debut season with Haryana Steelers, where he has contributed important points in crucial matches, shows that he is living up to the expectations placed on him.
Social Media and More
Mayank Saini is active on Instagram with the handle @mayank_saini421. He has 3,258 followers and follows 471 people, with 100 posts on his profile. His Instagram bio shows his birth year 2001 and includes the phrase “SiMPLiCiTY is the TO BriLLiaNce,” which reflects his simple yet effective approach to life and kabaddi.
On his Instagram profile, he proudly displays his association with Haryana Steelers (@haryanasteelers), showing his pride in representing the defending champions. His social media posts likely include content related to his kabaddi journey, training sessions, and life with the Haryana Steelers team.
His Instagram presence helps him connect with kabaddi fans and share his journey from a small town in Himachal Pradesh to professional kabaddi. His growing follower count shows the increasing interest in his career and achievements.
Besides kabaddi, Mayank is currently pursuing his undergraduate studies while managing his professional kabaddi career. This shows his commitment to both education and sports, maintaining a balanced approach to his personal development.
His goal of representing Team India one day keeps him motivated to work harder and improve his game. This ambition, combined with his talent and dedication, makes him a player with great potential for the future.
Conclusion
Mayank Gurnam Saini represents the emerging talent from smaller states in India who are making their mark in professional kabaddi. His journey from Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, to the Pro Kabaddi League with defending champions Haryana Steelers is inspiring for young players from similar backgrounds.
At 24 years old, Mayank has already achieved significant success in his debut PKL season. His ability to perform under pressure, as shown in the crucial match against Tamil Thalaivas, demonstrates his mental strength and skill as a raider. The faith shown by coach Manpreet Singh, who fought to sign him, indicates the potential that experts see in him.
His domestic achievements, including gold medals at Khelo India and All India tournaments, along with his representation of Himachal Pradesh at national levels, show his consistent performance over the years. His eight years of dedicated training under Coach Sanjeev Thakur have prepared him well for professional kabaddi.
With his simple approach to life, dedication to both education and sports, and clear goal of representing India in international competitions, Mayank Saini is a role model for young kabaddi players. His continuing development with Haryana Steelers and his potential for future growth make him an exciting player to watch in the coming seasons of the PKL.
