Ankush Rathee

Ankush Rathee is an Indian kabaddi defender who rose to prominence with Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on 30 June 2003 in Rohtak, Haryana, he started playing kabaddi at an early age. Fans know him best for a remarkable breakthrough in Season 9, when he was named the best defender of the 2022 Pro Kabaddi League. He also captained India to gold at the 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship in 2023.

PKL career

Ankush first joined the league as a young player with Bengaluru Bulls in Season 8 but did not get any playing time. His fortunes changed when Jaipur Pink Panthers bought him for Season 9, which proved to be the turning point of his career. In 24 matches that season he scored 89 tackle points and collected 9 High 5s, earning recognition as the league’s best defender.

He stayed with Jaipur Pink Panthers for the next two seasons. In Season 10 he played 22 matches and scored 70 tackle points with 8 High 5s. In Season 11 he featured in 23 matches, scoring 68 tackle points with 3 High 5s.

Across his PKL career, official league data credits him with 71 matches and 232 points, all of them from tackles, along with 21 High 5s over four seasons.

Season 12

For Season 12 in 2025, Ankush was back with Bengaluru Bulls, the franchise where his PKL journey began. He played 2 matches and scored 5 tackle points, including 1 High 5, with a tackle strike rate of 57%.

International career

In February 2023, Ankush was selected for the 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship, held in Urmia, Iran. He led the Indian side as captain, and the team won the championship and the gold medal.

Later that year, in October 2023, he played at the 37th National Games in Goa for the Sports Control Board and won the competition.

Style of play

Ankush is a pure defender. Every one of his PKL points has come from tackles, and his steady haul of High 5s, especially across Seasons 9 and 10, shows how often he has made a decisive impact at the back.

Statistics and team history: Pro Kabaddi League.