PKL to felicitate Dubki king Pardeep Narwal in Visakhapatnam
Pro Kabaddi League will honour legend Pardeep Narwal in Visakhapatnam on August 29. The Dubki King, all-time raid points leader, retires as kabaddi’s most iconic raider with unmatched records
Hyderabad: The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) will pay tribute to one of the sport’s greatest icons, Pardeep Narwal, in a special felicitation ceremony on Friday, August 29, in Visakhapatnam, ahead of the opening matches of Season 12.
The gesture marks the league’s acknowledgment of Narwal’s immense contribution to kabaddi and his lasting impact on the sport in India after his retirement in June earlier this year.
Pardeep Narwal, famously known as the ‘Dubki King,’ began his PKL journey with Bengaluru Bulls in Season 2 before becoming a household name with Patna Pirates, where he led the team to three consecutive titles. He redefined raiding with unmatched skill and innovation. Later, he represented UP Yoddhas before rejoining Bengaluru Bulls in Season 11 – a fitting end for a player of legendary status.
Throughout his career, Pardeep set benchmarks that may never be surpassed. He is the all-time leading raid points scorer in PKL history with 1,801 raid points. His record-breaking Season 5 performance, where he amassed 369 raid points and executed the unforgettable eight-point raid in the playoffs, remains one of the most celebrated moments in the league’s history. He was the first player to breach the 1,000-raid points milestone, and his consistency over multiple seasons established him as the face of modern kabaddi.
Former teammates paid glowing tributes to the raider.
Manjeet Chhillar, who played with him at Bengaluru Bulls in 2015, said:
“Pardeep Narwal isn’t just a teammate; he’s one of the greatest players this sport has ever seen. Beyond the mat, he’s a true friend and a wonderful human being. His legacy as the Dubki King will live on forever.”
Vishal Mane, his Patna Pirates teammate in Season 5, recalled:
“I’ll never forget when he pulled off that incredible raid for seven points. We thought he had five, but he came back smiling with seven. Watching him create records live was something special.”
Rishank Devadiga said:
“Pro Kabaddi League’s greatest legend has retired, and we will truly miss him. His lightning-fast dubkis were unmatched and dangerous for any opponent. As Season 12 approaches, it feels strange knowing he won’t be there.”
Ajay Thakur, returning as head coach of Puneri Paltan, added:
“Thank you, Pardeep, for giving the Pro Kabaddi League such a glorious history. From your incredible eight-point raid to being a three-time champion, your records have set a benchmark for generations to come.”
The felicitation ceremony will take place at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Visakhapatnam on August 29, where Narwal’s remarkable career will be celebrated in the presence of fans, players, and dignitaries from across the kabaddi fraternity.
