This article provides a detailed breakdown of Arjun Deshwal’s PKL career, including complete season-wise statistics, performance trends, and his current role at Tamil Thalaivas.
Arjun Deshwal – Personal Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arjun Deshwal |
| Popular Name | Arjun Deshwal |
| Nickname | Raid Machine |
| Date of Birth | 7 July 1999 |
| Age | 26 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Basera Village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | Not publicly available |
| Playing Position | Raider |
| Preferred Role | Right Raider |
| Defensive Role | Minimal / Support Only |
| PKL Debut | Season 6 (2018) |
| Current Team | Tamil Thalaivas |
| Previous Team(s) | Jaipur Pink Panthers, U Mumba |
| Jersey Number | 2 |
| Team Role | Lead Raider |
| Playing Style | Aggressive, tactical, bonus-point specialist |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Education | Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut |
| Profession | Kabaddi Player |
| Known For | Consistent raiding, Super 10s, PKL MVP (Season 9) |
Arjun Deshwal Early Life and Background
Born in Basera village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Arjun Deshwal grew up in a farming family. Although he initially enjoyed cricket, regular exposure to kabaddi in his village gradually drew him toward the sport.
By the age of 14, he had begun structured kabaddi training, supported strongly by his family and early mentors.
His early journey was not smooth. The physical demands and discipline of kabaddi once pushed him to consider quitting, but encouragement from his family and coaches helped him persevere.
He later represented his school at national-level tournaments and progressed through age-group and state competitions.
Domestic Career and Services Team
Deshwal’s domestic career gained momentum through his performances for the Services team, where discipline and structured training refined his tactical awareness.
His standout showing at the 68th Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship, where Services finished runners-up, played a key role in attracting attention from PKL franchises.
He also joined the Indian Army through the sports quota, a phase that further strengthened his physical conditioning and mental resilience.
Arjun Deshwal PKL Journey
Early Years with U Mumba
Arjun Deshwal made his PKL debut with U Mumba in Season 6 (2018). Limited by injury, he featured in only three matches. Retained for Season 7, he began showing signs of his raiding potential, scoring over 100 points and establishing himself as a developing raider.
Breakthrough with Jaipur Pink Panthers
The turning point came in PKL Season 8, when Jaipur Pink Panthers acquired him for ₹96 lakh. He immediately justified the investment by scoring 267 points and emerging as the team’s lead raider.
His defining season arrived in PKL Season 9, where he scored 296 raid points, won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, and led Jaipur Pink Panthers to their second PKL title. He continued his elite run in Seasons 10 and 11, crossing major milestones including 700 and 1,000 raid points.
Move to Tamil Thalaivas and Current Role
Ahead of PKL Season 12, Deshwal was signed by Tamil Thalaivas for ₹1.405 crore, marking one of the biggest transfers in league history.
At the franchise, he assumed a leadership role and became the primary raiding option.His standout performance for the Thalaivas included a career-best 26-point match, reinforcing his ability to dominate even after changing teams.
Playing Style and Strengths
Deshwal is a traditional right raider known for precise hand touches, effective bonus-point collection, and excellent retreat speed.
His high not-out percentage highlights his reliability as a lead raider who maintains attacking continuity rather than relying on isolated big raids.
Arjun Deshwal Achievements and Recognition
- PKL Season 9 MVP
- PKL Champion (Season 9 – Jaipur Pink Panthers)
- Second fastest player to reach 1,000 PKL raid points
- Gold Medal – Asian Games 2022
- Gold Medal – Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023
- Appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Uttar Pradesh
International Career
Arjun Deshwal is a regular member of the Indian national kabaddi team. He was part of the squad that won gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and followed it up with another gold at the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship, cementing his reputation on the international stage.
Legacy and Impact
From a village-level player in Uttar Pradesh to a PKL champion, MVP, and international gold medalist, Arjun Deshwal’s journey reflects discipline, consistency, and long-term growth.
As a cornerstone of Tamil Thalaivas’ raiding unit, he remains one of the most influential figures in modern Pro Kabaddi League history.
Arjun Deshwal PKL Season-by-Season Performance Overview
Season 12 (2025) – Tamil Thalaivas
Season 11 (2024) – Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 10 (2023–24) – Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 9 (2022) – Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 8 (2021) – Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 7 (2019) – U Mumba
Season 6 (2018) – U Mumba
Arjun Deshwal’s Detailed PKL Statistics by Season
Season 12 — Tamil Thalaivas
Season 11 — Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 10 — Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 9 — Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 8 — Jaipur Pink Panthers
Season 7 — U Mumba
Season 6 — U Mumba
Arjun Deshwal FAQs
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