Surender Nada: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More
Surender Nada stands as one of India’s greatest kabaddi defenders and a true legend of the sport. Born in Jhajjar, Haryana, this left corner specialist has built an incredible career spanning over a decade. His signature ankle hold technique in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has become famous across the kabaddi world.
Surender Nada’s leadership as captain of Haryana Steelers and his role in India’s international success has made him a household name. Additionally, his partnership with Mohit Chhillar, known as the “SuMo” combination, became legendary in Indian kabaddi circles.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Surender Nada |
| Date of Birth | July 1, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years |
| Birthplace | Jhajjar, Haryana, India |
| Village | Ahri village, Jhajjar district |
| Position | Defender (Left Corner) |
| PKL Debut | Season 1 (2014) |
| Signature Move | Ankle Hold |
| National Team | India (2016-2018) |
| Height | 5’9″ (176 cm) |
| Current Job | CISF Officer (Deputy Superintendent of Police) |
Early Life & Family
Surender Nada was born on July 1, 1987, in Ahri village of Jhajjar district, Haryana. His family has a strong sports background, particularly in wrestling and kabaddi. However, his father and brother were skilled wrestlers who were well-known in the local community. Furthermore, his father used his wrestling skills effectively in kabaddi, which inspired young Surender.
Growing up in a family that practiced circle kabaddi for generations, Surender Nada was naturally drawn to the sport. Additionally, Haryana’s rich kabaddi culture provided him with the perfect environment to develop his skills. Initially, he wanted to become a wrestler like his brother and looked up to him for guidance.
During his school days at Adarsh Senior Secondary School in Loharu, Surender Nada showed exceptional defensive abilities. Moreover, he could defend against much heavier opponents, which caught everyone’s attention. His family recognized his talent and provided full moral support for his sporting career.
At first, Surender Nada trained at Subash Stadium in Sonipat for both wrestling and kabaddi for two months. However, as he learned about the opportunities in national kabaddi competitions, he decided to focus exclusively on kabaddi. Furthermore, his physical build and tackling ability made him a natural fit for the corner position.
Domestic Career
Before entering professional kabaddi, Surender Nada built his foundation through domestic competitions. He started his career by representing various local teams and gradually moved up the levels. His exceptional grip strength helped him overcome his lack of agility in the early days.
Through the Sports Authority of India, Surender Nada secured a job with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This job provided him stability while pursuing his kabaddi career. Additionally, he represented CISF in numerous domestic tournaments, which helped him gain valuable experience.
His domestic career gained momentum when he was selected to represent Haryana state in national competitions. Through consistent performances at the state level, he caught the attention of national selectors. Furthermore, his defensive skills and leadership qualities made him a sought-after player for professional teams.
The turning point came when he was selected for the inaugural Pro Kabaddi League season. His performances in domestic tournaments and his reputation as a reliable left corner defender earned him this opportunity.
PKL Journey
Surender Nada began his PKL career with U Mumba in Season 1 (2014). In his debut season, he made an immediate impact by scoring 51 tackle points in 15 matches. Additionally, he recorded 4 super tackles and became one of the top defenders in the league. His performance helped establish him as a reliable left corner defender.
Season 2 proved successful for both Surender and U Mumba as the team won the PKL title. He contributed significantly with 41 tackle points and 2 super tackles in 14 matches. Moreover, his partnership with right corner Mohit Chhillar became one of the most effective defensive combinations in PKL history.
During Season 3, Surender played only 7 matches due to injury concerns but still managed 13 tackle points. However, he bounced back in Season 4 with Bengaluru Bulls, where he scored 33 tackle points and 4 super tackles in 13 matches.
Season 5 became Surender’s most memorable PKL campaign when he joined Haryana Steelers as captain. He delivered an outstanding performance by scoring 80 tackle points in 21 matches, making him the top defender of the season. Furthermore, he achieved a record-breaking 5 consecutive High 5s during this season. This record still stands as the most consecutive High 5s by any player in PKL history.
In Season 6, Surender played only one match for Haryana Steelers due to injury. After a break, he returned in Season 8 with Haryana Steelers. Later, he moved to Bengal Warriorz in Season 9, where he played 10 matches and scored 11 tackle points.
PKL Season-wise Performance:
| Season | Team | Matches | Tackle Points | Total Points | Super Tackles |
| 1 | U Mumba | 15 | 51 | 61 | 4 |
| 2 | U Mumba | 14 | 41 | 44 | 2 |
| 3 | U Mumba | 7 | 13 | 14 | 0 |
| 4 | Bengaluru Bulls | 13 | 33 | 37 | 4 |
| 5 | Haryana Steelers | 21 | 80 | 83 | 6 |
| 6 | Haryana Steelers | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | Bengal Warriorz | 10 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Overall | 103 | 278 | 302 | 20 |
Achievements
Surender Nada’s achievement list includes both individual honors and team success at domestic and international levels. His contributions to the Indian national team stand out as his greatest accomplishments.
International Achievements:
- Gold Medal – 2016 Kabaddi World Cup
- Gold Medal – 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship
- Gold Medal – 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters
- Gold Medal – 2016 South Asian Games
PKL Individual Records:
- Most consecutive High 5s – 5 (Season 5)
- Best Defender in Season 5 with 80 tackle points
- Second most successful defender in PKL history
- Top tackle points scorer in Season 1 with 51 points
PKL Team Achievements:
- PKL Season 2 Champion with U Mumba
Surender was a key member of the Indian national team from 2016 to 2018. His partnership with Mohit Chhillar as the left-right corner combination became the backbone of India’s defense. Additionally, he was present in all major tournament victories during his international career.
His signature ankle hold technique became his trademark move and is considered one of the most effective tackles in kabaddi. Furthermore, his ability to read raiders and execute perfectly timed tackles earned him respect from opponents and fans alike.
Currently, he holds the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) with CISF, which provides him with a stable career outside kabaddi. Moreover, his leadership skills on the kabaddi mat have translated well into his professional life.
Social Media and More
Surender Nada maintains an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Twitter. His Instagram handle @surender.nada1 showcases his journey as an international kabaddi player. Through his bio, he describes himself as “International Kabaddi player. World Cup champion. Pro kabaddi champion National games SAF games Asian championship Dubai master cup”.
Beyond social media, Surender continues to work with CISF as a Deputy Superintendent of Police. This job provides him stability and allows him to contribute to society in different ways. Furthermore, his dual career as a sportsperson and civil servant makes him a role model for many young athletes.
His dedication to promoting kabaddi culture, especially in Haryana, shows through his various community activities. Additionally, he often visits schools and training centers to share his experience with young kabaddi players.
Despite his successful career, Surender remains connected to his roots in Ahri village, Jhajjar. He continues to inspire the next generation of kabaddi players through his achievements and humble personality.
Conclusion
Surender Nada’s journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming one of India’s greatest kabaddi defenders is truly remarkable. His eight-season PKL career showcased consistent excellence and innovative defensive techniques. Furthermore, his signature ankle hold became a feared weapon that changed many match outcomes.
Throughout his career, Surender achieved the rare feat of scoring 80 tackle points in a single PKL season, a record that demonstrates his exceptional abilities. His leadership as captain of Haryana Steelers and his role in India’s international success between 2016-2018 represent the golden period of his career.
His dual career as a CISF officer and professional kabaddi player shows that dedication and proper planning can lead to success in multiple fields. Surender Nada will always be remembered as the ankle hold master who redefined left corner defending in Indian kabaddi.
