Devank Dalal: Biography, Age, PKL Career, Raid Points, Team & Stats (2026)

A soldier.A raider. A record-breaker. The three terms can be used to describe Devank Dalal, someone whose professional kabaddi has not only made a record but also made a headline.

He was only 25 years old and became the most expensive Indian player ever to play in the Pro Kabaddi league, being acquired by Bengal Warriorz at 2.205 crore.

The significance of Devank is not limited to kabaddi, but it is the linkage to what is relevant in Indian sports in modern days, the merger of military discipline, unrelenting ambition and sheer talent.

Continuing his string of achievements, he broke records set by legends like Siddharth Desai and Naveen Kumar by reaching 400 raid points faster than any player in PKL history, just 38 matches, showing an almost unprecedented level of excellence.​

But this is what makes him different from most success stories. Devank came from a poor farming family in Rohtak, Haryana, being the first person in his family to play professional sports. 

So let us take an exploration of his kabaddi journey and what makes him the star? 

Who Is Devank Dalal?

Devank Dalal is a professional kabaddi player who is currently the captain of the Bengal Warriorz in the 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League. Coming from a poor farmer family to now breaking PKL records, he has achieved a lot. 

Initially serving in the Indian Army, where he honed his discipline and started to play as a raider for the Rajputana Rifles regiment.

Later, Devank made his PKL debut in Season 9 with Jaipur Pink Panthers but remained in the shadows with limited opportunities. However, his explosive breakthrough came in PKL Season 11 when he joined Patna Pirates and scored a mind-blowing 301 raid points, the fourth player in PKL history to cross the 300-point mark in a single season.

Devank Dalal Age, Date of Birth, Height & Personal Details

Devank Dalal Kabaddi Career & PKL Journey

Devank started playing kabaddi when he was just 17 years old in the dusty village akhadas of Rohtak. Young Devank found his calling when he watched legendary raider Pardeep Narwal on TV. After finishing tenth grade, he decided to take kabaddi seriously.

His first big break came when he played for the Rohtak team at the state level and got his first professional kabaddi kit. This was the start of something special. Devank played in his first organized tournament in 2019 and scored 10 points, which got the attention of scouts and selectors right away.

But the real turning point arrived when Devank joined the Indian Army. His military service with the Rajputana Rifles regiment became the foundation for his physical fitness, mental toughness, and strategic thinking.

He quickly moved up the ranks on the Services team and was named captain at the national level.

Domestic Career Highlights

Before his PKL stardom, Devank dominated the domestic circuit. He played a decisive role in Services winning the 71st Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship, their first title since 2015. 

Devank won the Best Player of the Tournament award for his great play. In the championship final against Railways, Services won a thrilling 6-4 tie-breaker, with Devank scoring important points.

He got a rare triple promotion in the Indian Army because he always did well at the state and national levels and served his country well in the military.

PKL Season 9 (2022)

Devank signed with the Jaipur Pink Panthers as a New Young Player (NYP) for the ninth season of the PKL. He was on the championship-winning team even though he only played in five games and scored four raid points.

PKL Season 10 (2023/24) 

Devank stayed with the Jaipur Pink Panthers for Season 10, but he still didn’t get to play much. No one knew that a storm was coming.

PKL Season 11 (2024)

Patna Pirates paid ₹20 lakh for Devank in the PKL Season 11 auction. This was a big deal in the history of kabaddi.

PKL Season 11 Stats:

Devank finished as the Best Raider of PKL Season 11, becoming only the fourth player ever to cross 300 raid points in a single season. His partnership with defender Ayan Lohchab formed the backbone of Patna Pirates’ journey to the PKL 11 final, though they lost 32-23 to Haryana Steelers.

The defining moment? 
A staggering 25 raid points against Tamil Thalaivas in a 42-40 victory that announced his arrival as a genuine superstar. That match is widely regarded as career-defining and showcased his ability to single-handedly change the course of a game.

Devank Dalal in PKL 12: Team, Auction Price & 2025 

There was a lot of drama at the PKL Season 12 auction. Reports say that several teams were in a fierce bidding war for Devank Dalal. 

After everything was said and done, Bengal Warriorz had signed him for a mind-boggling ₹2.205 crore, making him the most expensive Indian player in PKL history. Yes, you heard that right! The only player who cost more than this was Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui, who went to the Gujarat Giants for ₹2.23 crore.

Bengal Warriorz chose Devank to be their team captain in August 2025. Nitesh Kumar was in charge of the defense. The franchise had a lot of faith in the young raider to bring them back to glory.

PKL Season 12 Performance

Devank’s individual brilliance continued throughout PKL 12. He became the first player to score 20+ raid points in three consecutive matches. Against Patna Pirates in Match 51, he scored 22 points with a record-breaking 15 points in the first half, the highest by any player in PKL 12.

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​However, despite Devank’s heroics, Bengal Warriorz struggled as a team. According to reports, the franchise finished at the bottom of the table and became the first team eliminated from playoff contention. 

Critics said that Devank always got 20 or more raid points, but his teammates didn’t help him enough. The Jaipur Pink Panthers finally ended Devank’s streak of 15 straight Super 10s by only getting 9 raid points against them.

Devank Dalal Raid Points, Stats & PKL Records

Devank Dalal’s statistical dominance has rewritten PKL history books. Here’s the complete breakdown:

Overall PKL Career Stats

Record-Breaking Achievements

1. Fastest to 400 Raid Points

Devank reached 400 raid points in just 38 matches, shattering the previous record held by Siddharth Desai and Naveen Kumar (41 matches each). This big moment has PKL stars like Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Sehrawat, who Devank went past.

2. Fastest to 500 Raid Points

He extended his dominance by reaching 500 raid points in 43 matches, breaking Naveen Kumar’s record.

3. Fastest to 100 Raid Points in a Season

In PKL 12, Devank scored 100 raid points in just 7 matches, making him the fastest player to do so.

4. 15 Consecutive Super 10s

During PKL 12, Devank recorded 15 consecutive Super 10s across 15 matches, a streak that captivated kabaddi fans nationwide.

5. First Player to Score 20+ Points in Three Straight Matches

Devank created history by scoring 20 or more raid points in three consecutive matches during PKL 12.

These numbers show a story of growth that keeps going up. Devank’s rise to fame is like a rocket launch: he only scored 4 points in his first season, but in later seasons he averaged more than 12 raid points per match.

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Devank Dalal PKL 13 Outlook (2026)

As Bengal Warriorz’s proven captain and the league’s best raider, Devank Dalal is ready for another record-breaking season in PKL Season 13 (2026), even though his team had trouble making the playoffs last season.

Important goals are helping Bengal Warriorz reach the playoffs for the first time, winning their first PKL title, and getting a place on the Indian national team for the Asian Games, where his exciting style could stand out in international games. 

With a career raid strike rate of 74% across 50+ matches, his synergy with defensive anchors like Nitesh Kumar—named co-captain in Season 12—positions him to potentially top the raiders’ charts again and break records like most Super 10s in a season.​

Strengths

Dalal’s signature toe-touch raids, combined with sharp game-reading ability, have solidified his status as kabaddi’s most aggressive raider, earning him the highest-ever PKL auction bid of Rs 2.2 crore ahead of Season 12. 

His Army-honed discipline lets him keep up high-output performances, like seven straight Super 10s and the fastest-to-400-points records, which makes him a consistent match-winner even in tough draws.

Leadership growth, evident in praising teammates like Manprit post-games, enhances team morale and tactical setups.​

Challenges

In Season 12, the team relied too much on Dalal’s raids, which often scored 70–80% of Bengal’s points. Critics said that the secondary raiders didn’t give him enough support, which led to losses even though he scored 25 points.

Staying in top shape while dealing with a busy schedule and changing defensive strategies from teams like the Haryana Steelers will test his ability to adapt. Warriorz need to have a stronger bench and play well all around in order to turn his greatness into team success.​

Is Devank Dalal in the Army? Job & Background

Devank Dalal is proud to be a soldier in the Indian Army. He is a member of the Rajputana Rifles regiment. His time in the military has changed both his kabaddi career and his personality a lot.

Devank joined the army when he was a young. The discipline, physical fitness, and mental toughness he learned there helped him become a great kabaddi player. “When I joined the army, I knew I could play,” he said.

Army Achievements

Devank has done well as a soldier in addition to kabaddi. He got a triple promotion, which is a rare honor that shows he was great at both sports and military service.

Devank regularly represents the Services kabaddi team in national championships and has served as captain. His dual identity as both soldier and athlete makes him a unique figure in Indian sports. 

Before PKL 12 started, Devank and his army friends Naveen Kumar and Bharat Hooda paid their respects at the INS Kursura submarine museum in Visakhapatnam to honor India’s naval history.

At the National Games 2025 held in Haridwar (January 29 – February 2, 2025), Devank led a star-studded Services squad featuring PKL champions like Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, and Bharat Hooda.

Devank Dalal Wife, Family & Personal Life

Devank Dalal is not married as of January 2026. He has kept most of his personal life private and focused on his two jobs: kabaddi and the army.

​Family Background

Devank’s family owned a farm in the Rohtak district of Haryana. His family had a lot of money problems when he was growing up, but they always supported his kabaddi dreams.

Devank is the first person in his family to play professional sports. This has inspired his siblings to play kabaddi as well. Devank has a strong bond with his younger siblings, who look up to him.

When Patna Pirates selected him for PKL 11, there was a huge celebration in his village. In interviews, Devank has expressed deep gratitude for his family’s sacrifices: “My family has done a lot for me, and I want them to lead a good life going forward. 

They have seen a lot of hard times, and now it is my time to give back to them and help them lead a happy life”.

Devank Dalal Photos, Media & Social Presence

Devank is active on social media and uses Instagram to connect with his growing fan base. @devank_kabaddi_3

He has the following in his Instagram bio: “[KABADDI] [ROHTAK] [ARMY] @prokabaddi @bengal.warriors S12 @patnapirates S11 @jaipur_pinkpanthers S9️It was a proud statement of his time with PKL teams and his military background.

Devank often posts videos of games, training sessions, personal moments, and things that inspire him.

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