Neeraj Kumar: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Neeraj Kumar stands as one of the most reliable defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on January 7, 1995, this 30-year-old kabaddi player from Haryana has built a strong reputation through his consistent performances and leadership qualities. Playing with jersey number 5, Neeraj Kumar has served both his country through the Indian Army and the kabaddi mat with equal dedication. His journey from a small town in Panipat to becoming a captain in the PKL shows his hard work and commitment to the sport. Currently playing for Haryana Steelers in PKL Season 12, Neeraj Kumar continues to be a key player in the league’s defensive setup.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Neeraj Kumar |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1995 |
| Age | 30 years |
| Position | Defender – Right Cover |
| Jersey Number | 5 |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Sutana, Panipat, Haryana |
| Father | Satbir Singh |
| Mother | Radha Devi |
| Marital Status | Married to @rachna_karhana |
| Profession | Professional Kabaddi Player, Indian Army |
| PKL Debut | Season 5 (2017) with Haryana Steelers |
Early Life & Family
Neeraj Kumar was born in Sutana village in Panipat district of Haryana to parents Satbir Singh and Radha Devi. Growing up in a small town in Haryana, Neeraj was introduced to kabaddi at a young age. His interest in the sport began when he was studying in 6th standard, and his elder brother played a key role in motivating him to take up kabaddi seriously.
Coming from a Hindu family belonging to the Gujjar community, Neeraj Kumar had a simple upbringing. His family supported his sporting interests from the beginning, which helped him focus on developing his kabaddi skills. The young defender showed natural talent for defensive positions and worked hard to improve his game during his school years.
Neeraj Kumar is currently married to Rachna Karhana, whose Instagram handle (@rachna_karhana) is mentioned in his social media profiles. His personal life reflects the motto “Fearlessly Be Yourself” which he has adopted as his life philosophy. The family values and strong support system have been important factors in his successful kabaddi career.
Domestic Career
Before making his mark in the Pro Kabaddi League, Neeraj Kumar built his foundation through domestic kabaddi competitions and his service in the Indian Army. He joined the Indian Army in 2014, where he got excellent opportunities to play kabaddi at the highest level.
His domestic career includes several important achievements in Inter Services Kabaddi Championships. Neeraj Kumar has been part of the winning team in multiple Inter Services tournaments, showing his consistency at the national level. In 2021, he participated in the 47th Inter Services Kabaddi Championship and helped his team secure victory. He continued this success in 2022 by winning the 48th Inter Services Championship.
The defender has also achieved gold medals at both the 49th and 50th Inter Services Kabaddi Championships, making him one of the most successful players in army kabaddi. His performance in the 68th Senior Nationals Men tournament in 2021 was particularly impressive, where he scored 109 tackle points and 1 raid point.
In 2019, Neeraj Kumar participated in the 36th National Games held in Gujarat, where he helped the Indian team secure third position. The same year, he took part in the 66th Senior National Championship and reached the final, finishing as runner-up. These domestic achievements prepared him well for his professional kabaddi career.
PKL Journey
Neeraj Kumar’s PKL journey began in Season 5 (2017) when Haryana Steelers picked him for their squad. In his debut season, he played 17 matches and scored 13 tackle points, establishing himself as a reliable defender. This early experience with his home state team gave him confidence to continue in professional kabaddi.
After Season 5, Neeraj Kumar got his big break when Patna Pirates acquired him for Season 7 (2019). This move proved to be life-changing for the defender. In his first season with Patna Pirates, he played 22 matches and scored an impressive 55 tackle points, finishing among the top 5 defenders with highest tackle points in the season.
The Patna Pirates management was so impressed with his performance that they retained him for Season 8 (2021) for Rs 49 lakh. Neeraj Kumar continued his excellent form, playing 23 matches and scoring 53 tackle points along with 1 raid point. His consistency and reliability made him a key player for the team.
Season 9 (2022) marked a special milestone in Neeraj Kumar’s career when Patna Pirates named him as their captain. Leading the team was a new challenge, and he was retained for Rs 54.20 lakh. As captain, he played 21 matches and scored 29 tackle points and 1 raid point. His leadership skills were tested throughout the season.
Patna Pirates showed their faith in Neeraj Kumar by retaining him for the fourth consecutive time in Season 10 (2023) for Rs 44.75 lakh. He played 14 matches and scored 31 points, maintaining his reputation as a dependable defender.
For Season 11 (2024), Neeraj Kumar joined Gujarat Giants and was immediately appointed as team captain. The Gujarat Giants management recognized his leadership qualities and experience, making him the face of their campaign. His appointment as captain showed the respect he had earned in the PKL community.
In PKL Season 12 (2025), Neeraj Kumar returned to Haryana Steelers, coming back to his home state team. So far in the current season, he has played 7 matches and scored 8 points. His return to Haryana Steelers represents a full circle in his PKL journey.
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Raid Points | Tackle Points | Total Points |
| Season 5 (2017) | Haryana Steelers | 17 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| Season 7 (2019) | Patna Pirates | 22 | 0 | 59 | 59 |
| Season 8 (2021) | Patna Pirates | 23 | 1 | 53 | 54 |
| Season 9 (2022) | Patna Pirates | 21 | 1 | 29 | 30 |
| Season 10 (2023) | Patna Pirates | 14 | 0 | 31 | 31 |
| Season 11 (2024) | Gujarat Giants | 18 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
| Season 12 (2025) | Haryana Steelers | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Overall Career | Total | 122 | 2 | 214 | 216 |
Achievements
Throughout his kabaddi career, Neeraj Kumar has achieved several important milestones both in domestic and professional kabaddi. His most significant achievements include multiple gold medals in Inter Services Kabaddi Championships, where he has been a consistent performer for the Indian Army team.
In PKL, his biggest achievement came in Season 7 when he finished among the top 5 defenders with the highest tackle points in the season. With 55 tackle points in 22 matches, he established himself as one of the premier defenders in the league. This performance earned him recognition and respect from other teams and players.
His leadership achievements are equally impressive. Neeraj Kumar has served as captain for both Patna Pirates (Season 9) and Gujarat Giants (Season 11). Leading teams in the PKL is a big responsibility, and his appointment as captain by two different franchises shows his leadership qualities and experience.
In domestic competitions, his achievements include winning gold medals at the 49th and 50th Inter Services Kabaddi Championships. He also earned a bronze medal at the 36th National Games and reached the final of the 66th National Kabaddi Championship. These achievements show his consistency at the highest level of domestic kabaddi.
His overall PKL statistics are impressive with a tackle success rate of 38% and a not-out percentage of 88.64%. Having played over 80 matches and earned more than 174 points in his PKL career, he has proven his value as a reliable defender who can perform consistently across multiple seasons.
Social Media and More
Neeraj Kumar maintains an active presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where his handle is @kabaddineeraj. His Instagram profile showcases his journey as both a kabaddi player and an Indian Army soldier. The profile reflects his dual identity with posts about his PKL career and his army service.
On his Instagram bio, Neeraj Kumar describes himself with the motto “Fearlessly Be Yourself” along with details about his jersey number 5, his profession as a kabaddi player, and his service in the Indian Army. His social media posts often include training videos, match highlights, and glimpses of his personal life with his wife Rachna Karhana.
His Instagram account has gained a good following among kabaddi fans who appreciate his down-to-earth personality and dedication to both sport and country. He regularly shares updates about his training routines, match preparations, and achievements in both PKL and army kabaddi tournaments.
Recently, his social media showed his participation in the 51st Inter Services Kabaddi Championship with Team Red Army. He continues to represent his army unit in various tournaments while playing professional kabaddi, showing his commitment to both responsibilities.
Neeraj Kumar also uses social media to connect with young kabaddi players and fans. His posts often include motivational content and behind-the-scenes moments from his kabaddi career, making him a relatable figure for aspiring defenders who want to follow his path.
Conclusion
Neeraj Kumar has built a successful career in kabaddi through dedication, hard work, and consistent performance. From his early days playing kabaddi in 6th standard to becoming a captain in the PKL, his journey shows the opportunities available in professional kabaddi for talented players. His dual role as an Indian Army soldier and professional kabaddi player makes him a unique figure in Indian sports.
With over eight seasons of PKL experience and multiple captaincy roles, Neeraj Kumar has established himself as one of the most reliable defenders in the league. His return to Haryana Steelers for Season 12 represents a homecoming for the defender who started his PKL journey with the same franchise. As he continues to play at the highest level while serving his country, Neeraj Kumar remains an inspiration for young kabaddi players who dream of representing India in the sport they love.
