Nitesh Kumar scored 77 tackle points and 2 raid points for Tamil Thalaivas in PKL Season 11.
He grew up in a small village in Haryana’s Rohtak district, where he loved playing cricket. Kabaddi was never on his mind until one day, everything changed. That young boy, who once held a cricket bat, is now one of the most promising defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League and a key player for Tamil Thalaivas.
“I was around 13 years old and weighed just 40 kilos. I followed my friends to the Kabaddi ground,” Nitesh shared in the ‘Rise of a Star’ series. “I lost my first match — I don’t even remember the score. But something just felt right. I knew this was the sport for me.”
Nitesh Kumar’s journey was not easy. But with strong support from his family and coach Ramesh Kumar — a strict coach from a nearby village and a police officer — he started training seriously. He learned a lot by watching senior players during local tournaments and slowly improved his defensive skills.
His big chance came during a tournament in Mahendragarh, Haryana. His strong performance impressed the PKL scouts. “I was just 17 or 18 when they called me,” said Nitesh. “Even my family couldn’t believe it. They thought I was too young to be selected.”
Moving from small local games to the big stage of PKL was a huge change. Nitesh made his debut for Tamil Thalaivas against Dabang Delhi in front of a big crowd in Ahmedabad. He clearly remembers coming into the game just as star raider Naveen Kumar came in. “The lights, the crowd — it felt unreal. But when I tackled Naveen, all my nervousness went away. I felt like I truly belonged there.”
Even though he didn’t get much game time in his first season, Nitesh kept working hard. He trained even more before Season 11. That hard work helped him become a regular player in the starting seven for Tamil Thalaivas and one of the top defenders of the season.
Nitesh Kumar’s best match was against Puneri Paltan, where he got a High 5 and helped his team beat the PKL 10 champions. “That match meant a lot to me. The pressure and the energy in the stadium helped me play even better,” he said.
Even though Nitesh played really well, Tamil Thalaivas couldn’t reach the playoffs. “We were all sad, but our coach told us that failures are part of the game. What matters is how we come back stronger,” Nitesh shared. “We see PKL 12 as our big chance to prove ourselves.”
Now, Nitesh is more than just a young talent — he shows how far hard work, determination, and the right support can take someone. “PKL changed my life in every way — financially and emotionally. Now, people in Tamil Nadu even ask me for photos,” he said proudly.
With the new season coming, both the team and the fans are counting on Nitesh to lead the defence again with the same strength and spirit. And for Nitesh Kumar, this is just the beginning of his journey.
FAQ
Who is Nitesh Kumar?
Nitesh Kumar is a professional Kabaddi player who plays as a defender for Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
Did Nitesh Kumar start his career in cricket?
Yes, Nitesh initially played cricket as a child in his village in Rohtak, Haryana. He switched to Kabaddi after following his friends to a local ground.
When did Nitesh Kumar start playing Kabaddi?
Nitesh began playing Kabaddi seriously around the age of 13, after his first experience with the game sparked his interest.
Who played a key role in Nitesh’s early Kabaddi training?
His coach, Ramesh Kumar — a strict mentor and a Haryana Police officer — played a crucial role in shaping his skills and discipline.