Pankaj Mohite, born on 24 June 1999 in Mumbai, has emerged as a dynamic raider for Puneri Paltan in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Known for his speed, agile footwork, and calm decision-making in do-or-die raids, Pankaj combines raw energy with growing experience. From local Mumbai tournaments to scoring critical raid points on the PKL mat, his journey reflects steady progress and team spirit.

Information	Details
Full Name	Pankaj Deepak Mohite
Date of Birth	24 June 1999
Age (as of 2025)	26 Years
Birthplace	Wadala, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Hometown	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Height	1.75 m (5’9″)
Position	Raider
Signature Move	Running Hand Touch
Coach	Anup Kumar

Early Life & Family

Pankaj Mohite was born on 24 June 1999 in Wadala, Mumbai, Maharashtra. His father was the sole breadwinner and passed away when Pankaj was 14, forcing the family into financial hardship. To help his mother and elder sister, he worked odd jobs even as people urged him to quit kabaddi. “People in my family, including my mother, tried to convince me to give up kabaddi,” he recalled. “But I stuck to my desire and eventually my mother and sisters started to support me.”

With his family in his corner, Pankaj Mohite joined Ganesh Sports Club in Mumbai. There, seniors guided him through local tournaments and honed his skills. After impressing scouts, he moved to Air India under coach Ashok Shinde, a former Puneri Paltan mentor.

Domestic Career

Under Shinde’s guidance at Air India, Pankaj Mohite refined his signature running hand touch and grew in confidence. When he earned a PKL call-up, he joined Puneri Paltan, training under Asian Games gold–medalist and ex–India captain Anup Kumar. “Work hard and believe in yourself – this is the main thing he said in the couple of years we spent together,” Pankaj noted. Kumar’s constant motivation, whether Pankaj scored or got caught, boosted his confidence and attitude on the mat.

Throughout his domestic journey, Pankaj Mohite embraced the belief that every raider must also defend. He frequently stepped into tackles to support the team, reflecting the modern trend of versatile youngsters in kabaddi. Pune coach Ramesh lauded this new generation’s impact ahead of the PKL playoffs, calling their rise “a win for kabaddi” and a bright sign for the sport’s future.

PKL Journey

Season 7 (2019)

• Joined Puneri Paltan under the New Young Player program.
• Debuted with 116 total points across 16 matches.
• Achieved a 54% raid strike rate and added 20% tackle success as a raider who occasionally defended.

Season 8 (2021)

• Retained by Puneri Paltan.
• Featured as impact substitute in key matches, refining his super-raid technique.
• Pankaj Mohite played just 8 Matches and scored a total 23 points. 

Season 9 (2022)

• Became a regular starter.
• Scored important points in close contests, helping Paltan reach the playoffs.
• Participated in 13 matches, scoring 60 points.
• 52 raid points with 3 Super Raids and 2 Super 10s.

Season 10 (2023–24)

• Elevated role as do-or-die specialist.
• Scored Super 10 in decisive games, exemplified by his match-winning raid against Patna Pirates.
• He played a total of 22 matches and scored 110 points.
• Pankaj Mohite’s 96 raid points with 5 Super Raids and 3 Super 10s was crucial in Paltan’s title win.

Season 11 (2024)

• Continued key raider duties.
• Maintained high-energy raids and occasional tackles to lift team morale.
• Was the lone warrior for the team in the absence of Aslam Inamdar.
• Played all 22 matches and scored 116 points.

Player Statistics

Metric	Value
Matches Played	80
Total Points Earned	422
Raid Points Per Match	4.87
Not Out %	77.43%
Total Raids	851
Successful Raids %	45.82%
No. of Super Raids	15
Super 10s	10
Total Raid Points	390
Average Raid Points/Match	4.87
No. of Super Tackles	3
High 5s	0
Total Tackle Points	32
Average Successful Tackles/Match	0.36
Total Tackles	108
Tackle Success Rate %	27%

Achievements

• Won PKL title in Season 10 with Puneri Paltan.
• Scored 116 points in debut PKL season (Season 7).
• Delivered multiple Super 10s and Super Raids performances.
• Recognized for clutch do-or-die raids, ranking among top 10 for do-or-die points in Season 11 with 23 such points.
• Featured in PKL “Power Rankings” for Season 7 thanks to consistent improvement.

Conclusion

From Mumbai’s local mats to PKL stadiums, Pankaj Mohite’s rise is built on resilience and skill development. His 42% raid strike rate and debut season tally of 116 points mark a strong foundation. As he refines his super-raid tactics and expands his defensive contributions, Pankaj Mohite remains poised to solidify his status as a vital raider for Puneri Paltan and a contender for India’s future squads.