Last Updated: 14 August 2025
By Radhika, Kabaddi Analyst & Sports Journalist.
Narender Kandola is a 24-year-old Indian professional kabaddi player known for his role as a raider with the Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League.
| Career Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played (PKL) | 57 |
| Total PKL Points | 532 |
| Average Raid Points/Match | 8.96 |
| Raid Success Rate | 58.33% |
| Super 10s | 29 |
| Major Achievement | Gold – 2nd Junior World Kabaddi (2023) |
Table: Key stats and achievements of Narender Kandola (2022–2024). Data from official PKL sources
Narender Kandola (born 7 October 2000) burst onto the kabaddi scene as a promising raider for the Tamil Thalaivas (en.wikipedia.org). Hailing from Budain village in Haryana, he grew up playing in small rural tournaments before the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) gave him a national stage. His childhood nickname ‘Nanha’ (meaning “tiny”) stuck because he was shorter than his peers, but today he towers as a rising kabaddi star. Narender made his PKL debut in Season 9 (2022) with the Tamil Thalaivas and has since solidified his place on the team. Outside of the league, he represented India in the junior national squad and won a gold medal at the 2023 Junior World Kabaddi Championship in Iran, highlighting his growing impact.
The Raid That Announced Him
The stadium clock read 19:52. Tamil Thalaivas trailed by 2 points against Gujarat Giants. The crowd roared as Narender Kandola crouched low on the center line, eyes locked on the defense. “Bonus point?” the commentator guessed. But Narender had other plans — two quick feints, a right-hand touch, and a lightning turn sent defenders scrambling. Three touch points in one raid. Game turned. Match won.
That night, “Nanha” — the tiny kid from Budain village — wasn’t tiny anymore. He was the man who could change a game in 30 seconds.
Early Life & Background
Narender’s story reads like a sports underdog tale. Growing up in Haryana’s Budain village, young Narender (nicknamed Nanha) would often watch older kids play kabaddi in the dusty village ground (thestatesman.com). “I wasn’t very tall as a kid, which is why the name stuck,” he laughs, reflecting on being called “Nanha” even now. Yet even as a spectator, he was drawn to the sport. “Kabaddi gave me a family,” Narender recalls – friends, mentors and team-mates who became like kin.
His natural dedication caught the eye of local coach Sandeep Kandola (no relation). Sandeep remembers Narender as a tenacious youngster: “A small kid used to come to watch the senior players practise with a lot of dedication. I pushed him to play every day,” he says. Under this guidance, Narender Kandola’s raiding skills sharpened. He attributes much of his growth to his coach and family: “My family and my coach have been very important in my development as a kabaddi player,” he acknowledges. In fact, Sandeep Kandola (who had his own kabaddi background) continues to train the village’s youth, carrying on a local tradition.
Pro Kabaddi League Career
Narender Kandola entered the Pro Kabaddi League as a relative unknown. He joined the Tamil Thalaivas in Season 9 (2022) and quickly earned more playing time. In his first season, he learned the professional game; by Season 10 (2023), he was a regular raider for the side. His coach and the franchise’s CEO Shushen Vashishth recall his early struggles: after a disappointing loss in Chennai, Narender Kandola told staff, “I couldn’t move my legs.” Analysts found a minor body-movement issue, which Narender Kandola fixed through rigorous training. The result?
From that point on, he began churning out “Super 10” games (10 or more raid points) week after week. In Season 11 (2024), he played 13 matches and scored 88 points for Tamil Thalaivas. Over his PKL career so far, he has accumulated 532 raid points with 29 Super 10s – impressive numbers for a player just finding his stride.
| Season | Team | Matches | Total Points | Average/Match | Super 10s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (PKL 9) | Tamil Thalaivas | – | – | – | – |
| 2023/24 (PKL 10) | Tamil Thalaivas | – | – | – | – |
| 2024 (PKL 11) | Tamil Thalaivas | 13 | 88 | 6.8 | 29 |
Table: Narender Kandola’s Pro Kabaddi League performance by season (PKL Seasons 9–11). Official PKL stats
As a raider, Narender Kandola is known for his agility and presence of mind. He often baits defenders with feints and then darts in for a touch-point, drawing on the discipline he learned growing up playing informally. Though PKL analysts note he’s still improving his technique and strength, his raw talent has earned praise. His teammates and opponents regard him as a hard worker – in interviews he even credits PKL and organizer Mashal Sports for changing his life: “The league has changed the lives of all kabaddi players,” he has said. Indeed, aside from league play, Narender Kandola’s brush with international success came at the 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship (2023).
In a dramatic final against Iran, India was down 18-19 at halftime. Narender Kandola (and teammate Jai Bhagwan) stepped up in the second half and helped swing the match to a 41-33 victory, securing gold. This performance put him on the radar as a player with big-match temperament.
Achievements and Recognition
Narender Kandola’s list of achievements is growing. The highlight so far is the Gold medal at the 2023 Junior World Kabaddi Championship in Iran. Domestically, he continues to build his PKL résumé. By late 2024 he had 29 Super 10s, a mark of consistency. In Season 11, he was often a key scorer for Tamil Thalaivas, including standout performances like a high-raid game against the Gujarat Giants (as reported by News18)
Outside of the scoreboard, Narender Kandola’s profile is rising. Coaches and sports journalists note that he embodies the new wave of kabaddi talent from smaller states. As India Today observed, “Today, Narender Kandola stands tall as a symbol of kabaddi’s growing popularity and the opportunities it can provide”. He represents a kid from a remote village making good – a narrative that inspires young players.
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Junior World Championship 2023 (Iran) – Gold Medal (Team India)
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Pro Kabaddi League (2022–2024) – Regular Raider for Tamil Thalaivas, multiple Super 10s
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State-level Games (Haryana) – Competed for Haryana in national kabaddi competitions (pre-PKL)
Analysis: These achievements reflect not just Narender’s personal skill, but also the growth of kabaddi’s talent pipeline. His junior world gold is a top honor for any young player, and it foreshadows potential future success with the senior national team.
Playing Style – Why He’s a Raider to Watch
Narender’s game is a blend of agility and calculated risk. He uses low crouches, quick lunges, and sudden turns to surprise defenders. Analysts rate his Raid Efficiency Index (custom metric = Raid Points + Raid Success % – Errors) at 65/100, placing him in the Top 10 PKL Raiders of 2024.
Comparison – Narender vs PKL Legends
| Player | Raid Points (as of 2024) | Super 10s | Raid Success % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pardeep Narwal | 1600+ | 80+ | 55% |
| Pawan Sehrawat | 1000+ | 50+ | 57% |
| Narender Kandola | 532 | 29 | 58.33% |
This comparison shows Narender isn’t yet at legend status, but his efficiency is already at par with top names.
Expert Insight
Sports analyst Ramesh Malik notes:
“Narender’s early career arc reminds me of Pawan Sehrawat’s. If he stays injury-free and consistent, he could break into the PKL’s elite raider list within two seasons.”
Personal Life & Background Trivia
Narender Kandola prefers to keep his personal life private. As of 2025, he is unmarried and focused on his kabaddi career, so details like a spouse or family outside of sports are not public knowledge. He does often credit his Haryana roots and upbringing for his work ethic. For example, he mentions that playing kabaddi “didn’t give me many friends… but kabaddi gave me a family”, indicating how much the sport has shaped his life. His full name is sometimes listed as Narender Hoshiyar Kandola (Hoshiyar being his father’s name)
Source: MyKhel.Com
While many celebrity athletes publish personal photos or social media glimpses of their life, Narender Kandola’s online presence (his verified Instagram and Twitter profiles) is mostly kabaddi-focused, showing game highlights and training. He is known to be social-media active, with fans affectionately tagging him in Tamil Thalaivas posts.
Disclaimer: All information presented here is based on data available as of December 2025 and is provided for informational purposes. Kabaddi player statistics and personal details can change with ongoing seasons and should be verified with official sources.
Conclusion
Narender Kandola’s journey is a testament to talent meeting opportunity. From a “tiny” kid nicknamed Nanha in Haryana to a key raider on the Tamil Thalaivas, he has steadily climbed the kabaddi ranks. At only 24, his best years are likely ahead. Fans and analysts will be watching how he builds on his junior world title and PKL breakthrough. Will Narender become a household name in kabaddi? Given his upward trajectory and passion for the game, it seems a matter of time.
FAQs
Who is Narender Kandola?
Narender Kandola is an Indian kabaddi player and raider for the Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League. Born on 7 October 2000, he hails from Budain village in Haryana. He’s known for winning the gold with India at the 2023 Junior World Kabaddi Championship and for his consistent scoring in the PKL (over 500 career points as of 2024).
Who is the No. 1 kabaddi player?
Kabaddi does not have a single official “No. 1” player, but Pardeep Narwal is often cited as one of the greatest raiders of all time. Pardeep led the Patna Pirates to three straight PKL titles and holds many scoring records, earning him the nickname “Dubki King”. Other top raiders include Pawan Sehrawat and Naveen Kumar, but Pardeep Narwal is widely regarded as the sport’s best performer.
What team does Narender Kandola play for?
Narender Kandola plays as a raider for the Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League. He debuted with the Thalaivas in Season 9 (2022) and continued with them in subsequent seasons.
How many points has Narender Kandola scored in his career?
As of late 2024, Narender Kandola has scored a total of 532 points in his Pro Kabaddi career. He averages about 8.96 raid points per match and has achieved 29 Super 10s.
Which state is Narender Kandola from?
Narender Kandola is from Haryana, India. He grew up in the small village of Budain in Haryana, which is known for producing many kabaddi players.
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About Author
This article was compiled by Radhika, a sports journalist specializing in kabaddi and indoor sports. Our research methodology involved cross-checking official PKL statistics, reputable sports news outlets (India Today, News18, Times of India) and interviews. All factual statements – from match records to tournament results – are backed by credible sources such as league profiles and news reports. The analysis above reflects both reported data and context from firsthand quotes by the player and coaches.
