Ajay Thakur is an Indian kabaddi player, widely recognised as one of the most prominent raiders of his generation. He has represented the Indian national kabaddi team in international competitions and has played in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) since its inception in 2014. Thakur is known for his powerful raids, particularly his signature running hand touch.
| Full name | Ajay Thakur |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Sport | Kabaddi |
| Position | Raider |
| National team | India |
| Pro Kabaddi League | Played for franchises including Bengaluru Bulls, Puneri Paltan, and Tamil Thalaivas |
Ajay Thakur hails from Himachal Pradesh and took up kabaddi at a young age. He rose through domestic competitions before being selected for the Indian national side, where he became a regular member of the squad in international tournaments organised under the Asian Kabaddi Federation and the Asian Games framework.
Thakur was part of the Indian kabaddi team that won the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. He also represented India at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup held in Ahmedabad, where India won the title. Thakur was named captain of the Indian men's kabaddi team for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, where India finished with a bronze medal, ending a long unbeaten run at the Games.
Thakur has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League since its launch in 2014. He played a key role in the Bengaluru Bulls' campaigns and later turned out for Puneri Paltan and Tamil Thalaivas, where he was retained as a marquee raider and captain. He is among the all-time top raiders in PKL history in terms of raid points.
Thakur is regarded as a pure raider with strong agility and quick footwork. His running hand touch is considered one of the most effective raiding moves in modern kabaddi. He is also valued for his ability to remain composed in do-or-die raids and his leadership on the mat.
Ajay Thakur is one of the players most closely associated with the modernisation and commercial success of kabaddi in India. Alongside contemporaries such as Anup Kumar and Pardeep Narwal, he helped popularise the sport through the Pro Kabaddi League and consistent performances for the national team, making kabaddi one of the most-watched sports in India after cricket.