Sunil Kumar: The Record-Breaking Captain of U Mumba in PKL

Key Takeaways

Sunil Kumar has recorded 74 wins as U Mumba's captain.
He surpassed Fazel Atrachali's record during a match against Puneri Paltan.
Sunil's kabaddi journey began in 2010.
He has played 160 matches and scored 399 points in PKL.
His partnership with Parvesh Bhainswal is a key factor in his success.

Mumbai, Feb 12 (NationPress) With 74 victories as a captain, Sunil Kumar of U Mumba stands out as the most successful captain in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), establishing a remarkable legacy.

As of Season 11, he has achieved more wins than any other player in PKL history.

His defining moment occurred during a 43-29 victory against Puneri Paltan at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, where he surpassed Fazel Atrachali’s record. Additionally, the Indian defender had a stellar debut season with U Mumba, participating in 23 matches, attempting 110 tackles, 73 raids, and accumulating 54 points for his team.

In a recent episode of Beyond the Mat, an innovative podcast launched by U Mumba, Sunil Kumar expressed, “It feels great to be recognized as the most successful captain. There have been prominent players like Anup Kumar, Ajay Thakur, and Fazel Atrachali. It is fulfilling to have outperformed them and to hold this title in PKL.”

Sunil's kabaddi journey began in 2010 while he was in eighth grade. Encouraged by his older brother and influenced by the strong sporting culture in his village, he pursued the sport despite its lack of mainstream recognition. Sunil made his PKL debut in 2016 and gained attention the following season. He clinched his first league title in 2019 and another as captain in 2022.

Throughout his nine seasons in PKL, Sunil has played 160 matches, earned 399 points, executed 273 total raids, and completed 741 total tackles.

A crucial aspect of his success has been his synergy with childhood friend Parvesh Bhainswal, whom Sunil rejoined at U Mumba ahead of Season 11. Their exceptional chemistry on the mat has developed over years of collaboration.

Discussing their unique bond, Sunil remarked, “I knew Parvesh before our kabaddi careers; he is my childhood friend. We started playing together in our youth at various tournaments. Back then, only a few individuals participated, and we vowed to always compete together. Holding his hand gives me the confidence to tackle anyone. This is all thanks to our coach, who has placed faith in us and strengthened our partnership.”

In 2022, Sunil was appointed as the captain of the Indian squad for the Asian Kabaddi Championship. Although an unexpected setback kept him from playing, he bounced back by securing a gold medal at the Asian Games—a victory he regards as one of his most cherished milestones.

“I was designated as captain for the Asian Championships but couldn’t participate due to visa complications. However, I was selected again for the Asian Games as vice-captain, and we clinched the gold medal!” he recounted on the podcast.

In other insights, Sunil shared his passion for wrestling and his admiration for Olympian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt. He also stated that if he hadn’t pursued a career in kabaddi, he would likely have become either a farmer or a soldier.