Rohit Raghav: Early Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and More

Rohit Raghav is one of the most inspiring success stories in modern Pro Kabaddi League history, showing how hard work and determination can turn dreams into reality. Born on September 19, 2001, in the small village of Patauda, Haryana, this 23-year-old all-rounder has overcome incredible challenges to become a star player in the PKL. His journey from being a water boy and mat cleaner to becoming a key player for U Mumba represents the true spirit of kabaddi. 

Category	Details
Full Name	Rohit Mansingh Raghav
Date of Birth	September 19, 2001
Age	23 years (as of 2025)
Birthplace	Village Patauda, Haryana
Position	All-Rounder (Right-Handed Raider)
Height	5’10” (178 cm)
PKL Debut	Season 8 (2021)
Current Team	U Mumba (Season 11)
Previous Teams	Bengal Warriorz (Seasons 8-9), Patna Pirates (Season 10)
National Team	Odisha state team (2025)
Coach	Manjeet Singh (Delhi Police)
Education	Bachelor of Arts degree

Early Life & Family

Rohit Raghav was born on September 19, 2001, in the charming village of Patauda, located in the southern part of Haryana. He comes from a close-knit farming family where his father Maan Singh works in the fields and his mother Babita manages the home. The family has always been supportive of Rohit’s dreams, even during difficult financial times when he had to drop out of school after class 10.

Growing up in a region where sporting opportunities were very limited, Rohit Raghav’s childhood was shaped by the rural culture of Haryana. His village had very little sporting culture compared to other parts of the state. However, everything changed when Rohit was just 15 years old and attended his village’s annual fair on Makar Sankranti (January 14th). This fair, which had been organized for 70 years, featured kabaddi tournaments where he watched legendary players like Deepak Hooda and Pardeep Narwal compete.

The young Rohit Raghav was immediately attracted to the sport after watching these stars play. However, his entry into kabaddi happened by chance when he was completing his daily run after casually participating in the village tournament. A stranger, whom everyone in town called “Happy” (real name Manjeet Singh), spotted him and was convinced he had found real talent. This conversation with Manjeet Singh, a member of Delhi Police, became the turning point of Rohit’s life.

Rohit Raghav has an elder brother named Devinder who has been very supportive throughout his kabaddi journey. The family initially hesitated when Manjeet Singh asked Rohit to leave home for professional training, but they were convinced when they learned about Manjeet’s background with Delhi Police. This trust in his coach’s judgment proved to be life-changing for the young player.

Domestic Career

Rohit Raghav’s domestic career began under challenging circumstances when he was forced to drop out of school after class 10 due to financial problems at home. Initially, he worked as a security guard during the day and trained in his free time. His dedication to improving his skills despite these hardships showed his strong character and determination to succeed in kabaddi.

His formal training started when Manjeet Singh took him to Gandhinagar SAI (Sports Authority of India) for proper coaching. At SAI, Rohit trained under the guidance of experienced coaches and learned advanced techniques. During his time there, he also got the opportunity to work as a water boy and mat cleaner for Pro Kabaddi League matches. While others felt ashamed of this role, Rohit saw it as a golden opportunity to watch professional players closely and learn from them.

As a water boy, Rohit Raghav used to get paid 500 rupees per day, but more importantly, he got to observe stars like Pawan Sehrawat from very close range. This experience taught him valuable lessons about the game and motivated him to work even harder. He used to watch every match carefully and hope that one day he would be respected for his performances just like these professional players.

Rohit Raghav later represented the Haryana state team in various domestic competitions. His performance in the Haryana State Senior Kabaddi Championship helped him gain recognition among selectors. His training at the Pai School under Coach Dilbagh Singh helped him develop his signature move – the flying hand touch. This technique would later become one of his most effective weapons in professional kabaddi.

His domestic achievements also include representing Odisha in the recent 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship held in 2025. Playing alongside established PKL stars, Rohit Raghav proved his worth at the national level. His experience with different state teams has helped him understand various playing styles and adapt his game accordingly.

PKL Journey

Rohit Raghav’s Pro Kabaddi League journey is a perfect example of how persistence and hard work can overcome initial setbacks. His path to success was not easy, and he faced many challenges before establishing himself as a reliable all-rounder in the league.

Season 8 (2021) – The Beginning

Rohit Raghav made his PKL debut with Bengal Warriorz in Season 8 after being purchased for 6 lakhs. In his first season, he played 12 matches and scored 27 total points, with 21 raid points and 6 tackle points. His raid success rate was 25% and he had a not-out percentage of 75%. While these numbers may seem modest, they represented a significant achievement for someone who started as a water boy just a few years earlier.

During this season, Rohit Raghav primarily played as a substitute and gained valuable experience playing alongside established stars. His highest score in a single match was 4 points, showing that he was still developing his game at the professional level. However, his determination and willingness to learn from experienced players helped him improve continuously.

Season 9 (2022) – Learning Phase

In Season 9, Rohit Raghav continued with Bengal Warriorz but had limited opportunities to showcase his skills. He played 3 matches and scored just 7 total points with 7 raid points and 0 tackle point. This season was challenging for him as he struggled to get regular playing time and make a significant impact when given chances.

Despite the limited success, Rohit used this time to observe and learn from his teammates and opponents. His experience during this season taught him important lessons about patience and the need to stay ready for opportunities when they come. The coaching staff continued to work with him on improving his technique and understanding of the game.

Season 10 (2023-24) – New Team, Same Challenges

For Season 10, Rohit Raghav moved to Patna Pirates, hoping for better opportunities. However, his stint with the three-time champions was brief, playing only 5 matches and scoring 15 total points with 11 raid points and 4 tackle points. The limited playing time continued to be a challenge, but Rohit’s raid strike rate improved to 61% when he got chances to play.

During his time with Patna Pirates, Rohit Raghav learned from experienced players and coaching staff. Although his statistics remained modest, the experience of playing for different teams helped him understand various tactical approaches to the game. This exposure would prove valuable in his breakthrough season that followed.

Season 11 (2024) – The Breakthrough

Season 11 proved to be the turning point in Rohit Raghav’s career. Initially, he went unsold in the PKL auction, which was a major disappointment. However, fate had other plans when U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar recommended him as an injury replacement for the team. This second chance became the opportunity Rohit had been waiting for throughout his career.

Playing as a super substitute, Rohit Raghav appeared in 21 matches and scored an impressive 79 total points, including 68 raid points and 11 tackle points. His performance was remarkable, with a raid strike rate of 43% and a tackle strike rate of 46%. These statistics represented a massive improvement from his previous seasons and established him as one of the most effective super subs in the league.

Rohit’s impact in crucial moments was extraordinary. In U Mumba’s 39-37 victory against Jaipur Pink Panthers, his super raid changed the entire flow of the match. Captain Sunil Kumar publicly stated that without Rohit’s contribution, the team would not have won that match. His ability to come off the bench and provide instant impact became his signature trait during the season.

His flying hand touches and dubkis became crowd favorites, and he repeatedly managed to pull off solo tackles and crucial raids when his team needed them most. U Mumba’s qualification for the playoffs after several years was partly due to Rohit’s consistent contributions throughout the season. His performance earned him recognition as one of the biggest revelations of PKL Season 11.

Rohit Raghav’s PKL Season-wise Statistics 

Season	Team	Matches Played	Total Points	Raid Points	Tackle Points
Season 8 (2021)	Bengal Warriorz	12	27	21	6
Season 9 (2022)	Bengal Warriorz	3	7	7	0
Season 10 (2023-24)	Patna Pirates	5	15	11	4
Season 11 (2024)	U Mumba	21	79	68	11
Overall Stats	–	41	127	107	21

Achievements

Rohit Raghav’s list of achievements reflects his incredible journey from humble beginnings to professional success. His most significant accomplishment came in PKL Season 11, where he scored 79 points in 21 matches for U Mumba. This performance established him as one of the most effective super substitutes in the league and earned him widespread recognition.

His contribution to U Mumba’s playoff qualification in Season 11 was crucial. The team reached the playoffs for the first time in several years, and Rohit’s consistent performances off the bench played a major role in this success. His ability to change match situations with crucial raids and tackles made him a fan favorite and earned praise from his captain and coaching staff.

Rohit’s recognition as one of the biggest revelations of PKL Season 11 represents a major milestone in his career. From being an unsold player to becoming a key contributor for a playoff team, his transformation was remarkable. His performance earned him a retention with U Mumba ahead of PKL Season 12, showing the franchise’s faith in his abilities.

In domestic competitions, Rohit’s selection for the Odisha team in the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship demonstrates his growing reputation. Playing alongside established PKL stars in national competitions shows his acceptance among India’s top kabaddi talent. His experience representing different state teams has helped him develop as a complete player.

His total PKL career statistics of 127 points across 41 matches in four seasons show steady improvement and growing impact. His ability to adapt to different teams and playing styles has been impressive, moving from Bengal Warriorz to Patna Pirates and finally finding success with U Mumba.

The various individual performances and match-winning contributions he has made, including crucial super raids and defensive plays, highlight his value as an all-rounder. His development from a player with modest statistics to someone who can influence match outcomes represents the perfect example of persistence paying off.

Conclusion

Rohit Raghav’s journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming a Pro Kabaddi League star represents one of the most inspiring stories in Indian sports. His path from being a water boy and mat cleaner to a crucial player for U Mumba shows that no dream is too big if you are willing to work hard for it. At just 23 years old, Rohit has already proven that determination and persistence can overcome any obstacle.

His breakthrough performance in PKL Season 11, where he scored 79 points in 21 matches, came after years of limited opportunities and modest returns. The fact that he went unsold in the auction but still managed to become one of the season’s biggest revelations proves that talent and hard work will always find a way to shine. His role as a super substitute for U Mumba became legendary, with his flying hand touches and crucial raids changing many match situations.

The support from his family, especially his father Maan Singh and mother Babita, provided him with the foundation needed during difficult financial times. His coach Manjeet Singh’s faith in spotting his talent during a chance encounter in the village changed his entire life trajectory. The training he received at Gandhinagar SAI and his experiences as a water boy taught him valuable lessons that helped shape his professional career.

Rohit’s representation of Odisha in national championships and his retention by U Mumba for the upcoming season shows that his career is on an upward trajectory. His story continues to inspire young athletes from rural areas who dream of making it big in professional sports. As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, Rohit Raghav remains a shining example of how dedication and never giving up on dreams can lead to remarkable success in the world of kabaddi.