Abhishek Singh is an Indian professional kabaddi player who competes in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), the country's premier franchise-based kabaddi competition. He plays primarily as a raider and has represented multiple franchises during his career in the league.
| Name | Abhishek Singh |
|---|---|
| Sport | Kabaddi |
| Position | Raider |
| League | Pro Kabaddi League |
| Nationality | Indian |
Kabaddi has deep roots in northern and western India, and the sport has produced a strong pipeline of young raiders and defenders through state-level tournaments, university competitions, and the Khelo India initiative. Players named Abhishek Singh have featured in domestic kabaddi circuits, with progression to the franchise league typically occurring through the PKL auction system, where teams bid for talent across categories such as Elite Retained, New Young Player, and Category A and B players.
The Pro Kabaddi League, launched in 2014 and organised by Mashal Sports in association with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), serves as the principal professional platform for Indian kabaddi players. Raiders in the league are evaluated on metrics such as raid points, successful raids, Super 10s (ten or more raid points in a single match), and Super Raids.
Players entering the PKL are typically drafted through the annual auction, with contracts spanning a single season unless retained. Performance in the league often determines selection to the Indian national kabaddi team, which competes in international events such as the Asian Games, the Asian Kabaddi Championship, and the Kabaddi World Cup.
As a raider, the role involves entering the opposition half within a 30-second time limit, touching one or more defenders to score points, and returning safely across the midline. Common techniques used by raiders at the professional level include the toe touch, hand touch, bonus point, running hand touch, and dubki (a low-bending escape move).
The emergence of the Pro Kabaddi League has transformed traditional kabaddi into a televised professional sport, drawing players from rural and small-town backgrounds into mainstream sports culture. Raiders such as Abhishek Singh contribute to the depth of talent that has helped Indian kabaddi maintain its dominance at the international level.