Nitesh Kumar Biography
Nitesh Kumar is also known as the most dependable defender in Pro Kabaddi today. At 27 (born on August 12, 1997), Nitesh isn’t the flashiest player on the mat, and at 5’10”, he’s not the tallest either. But what he does have is sharp timing, a calm head, and a good sense of where the raider’s going, and that’s what makes him so effective. Here are some quick facts about Nitesh Kumar as a Kabaddi player:
| Birthday | 12 August 1997 |
| Age | 27 |
| Father’s Name | Sanjay Kumar |
| Height | 5ft 10in |
| PKL Debut | 2017, Season 5 |
| Current Team | Bengal Warriors |
Education
Nitesh Kumar completed his schooling in Haryana before turning full attention to Kabaddi. Much of his “education” came directly from the mud courts where he trained with his father. While there are no detailed records of higher education, his sporting education has been extensive, with early exposure to BSF training camps and local Kabaddi tournaments.
Family
The role of family in Nitesh Kumar’s PKL career cannot be overstated. His father coached in the Border Security Force, and his uncle played for India, so Kabaddi was always around him during his growing-up years. Today, his uncle is a coach (mainly for young athletes), among whom was Nitesh Kumar.
Sports Career of Nitesh Kumar
Nitesh first stepped on the “field” in the fifth season of the Pro Kabaddi League. His first team was UP Yoddhas, under whose auspices he also played in the next season, which turned out to be really successful for him: he became one of the first defenders in history to get 100 tackle points in a single season.
Key facts about Nitesh Kumar’s Kabaddi player career:
- First PKL defender with 100 points in tackles in one season (2018).
- Over 350 career tackle points in PKL.
- Fan-voted Emerging Player of Season 11.
- Known for discipline and consistency across seasons.
He’s stayed solid since then. Fans even picked him as the Emerging Player of the Season. In 2024, he switched teams again: this time joining Bengal Warriors at the PKL 12 auction, ready to start a new chapter.
Stats, Raid Points & Net Worth
Let’s look at the numbers. His estimated net worth is around â‚ą3–3.5 Crore, coming from PKL contracts and sponsorships. Although primarily a defender, Nitesh Kumar’s Pro Kabaddi playing style allowed him to score occasional raid points, demonstrating flexibility when needed.
| Season | Team | Matches | Tackle Points | High 5s | Auction Price |
| 5 | UP Yoddhas | 19 | 47 | 1 | â‚ą6 Lakh |
| 6 | UP Yoddhas | 25 | 100 | 8 | Retained |
| 11 | Tamil Thalaivas | 22 | 77 | 8 | â‚ą12.25 Lakh |
| 12 | Bengal Warriors | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing | â‚ą20.25 Lakh |
Nitesh Kumar Auction & Current Kabaddi Team
Nitesh’s auction history shows his rising value in the PKL market. After starting with a base price contract at UP Yoddhas, there was a new page in Nitesh Kumar’s Tamil Thalaivas Kabaddi career, and then picked up by Bengal Warriors for over ₹20 Lakh in Season 12.
| Season | Team | Status |
| 5 | UP Yoddhas | New signing |
| 6-10 | UP Yoddhas | Retained |
| 11 | Tamil Thalaivas | Bought |
| 12 | Bengal Warriors | Bought |
His transfer to Bengal Warriors signals that he is still at the top of his game, ready to anchor another defense line. Thanks to his playing style and strengths, he also has every chance of playing for several more seasons in a row:
- Specialises in ankle and thigh holds, often stopping raiders mid-stride.
- Maintains a calm approach under pressure, rarely committing fouls.
- Reads the raiders’ body language well, which helps anticipate moves.
- Works as a leader in defense, organizing the back line effectively.
- Known for discipline, never missed matches due to injury or suspension.
If his form continues, Nitesh will remain one of the defining defenders of PKL for years to come.