Ankush Rathee Biography: Age, Height, Early Life, Career, Stats and Net Worth
Ankush Rathee is one of the young Indian kabaddi defenders who quickly became known for his work as a left-corner defender in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Born on June 30, 2003, in Rohtak, Haryana, Ankush built his career through junior and domestic kabaddi before making his mark in the PKL. His breakout came in Season 9, when he played for Jaipur Pink Panthers and finished the season as the league’s top defender with 89 tackle points.
Ankush is also known for his time with the Indian junior team. In 2023, he was part of India’s squad for the 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship in Urmia, Iran. India won the gold medal after beating Iran 41-33 in the final, and Ankush played an important role in the final with a crucial Super Tackle when India were in a difficult position.
Over the years, Ankush Rathee has developed a reputation as a strong left-corner defender who relies on moves such as the ankle hold. His career has included success at the junior level, major domestic competitions and several PKL seasons. He has also taken on a leadership role, including being named captain of the Bengaluru Bulls for PKL Season 12.
Ankush Rathee Biography
| Particular | Details |
| Full Name | Ankush Rathee |
| Known As | Ankush |
| Date of Birth | June 30, 2003 |
| Age | 23 years (as of September 2026) |
| Birthplace | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Kabaddi |
| Position | Defender – Left Corner |
| Height | Around 5 feet 9 inches (reported) |
| Pro Kabaddi Debut | PKL Season 9 |
| First PKL Team | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Former Team | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Junior India Team | Yes |
| Major International Achievement | Gold, 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship 2023 |
| PKL Season 9 Tackle Points | 89 |
| Overall PKL Matches | 71* |
| Overall PKL Tackle Points | 232* |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Estimated Net Worth | No reliable public figure available |
Early Life of Ankush Rathee
Ankush Rathee was born on June 30, 2003, in Rohtak, Haryana. Haryana has a long connection with Indian kabaddi, and Ankush grew up in an environment where the sport had a strong presence. He started playing kabaddi at a young age and gradually moved toward organised competitions as he developed his game. Reports about his early career also connect him with Chandigarh-based kabaddi competitions and domestic teams, showing that his journey was not limited to one local setup.
During his early playing years, Ankush worked mainly as a defender. Instead of focusing on raids, he developed his skills around defensive moves, especially the ankle hold. His progress at junior and domestic levels helped him gain attention before he entered the Pro Kabaddi League. He was also associated with ONGC in domestic kabaddi, where his performances helped him earn recognition among young defenders.
His early career also included appearances in important junior and senior competitions. Reports have linked him with the Junior Nationals, Khelo India events and senior-level competitions before he became a regular name in the PKL. These tournaments gave him experience against different styles of play and helped him become more confident as a left-corner defender.
Ankush Rathee’s Domestic Kabaddi Career
Unlike cricket, where players are usually described through domestic cricket and international cricket, Ankush Rathee’s career should be discussed in terms of domestic kabaddi and international kabaddi. His domestic career developed through junior tournaments, state-level competitions and major national events before he became a PKL regular.
Ankush represented domestic teams and competitions as a defender and gradually built a name for himself with his tackling. His performances while playing for ONGC were an important part of his early rise. His name also appeared in connection with Chandigarh’s kabaddi setup, and he continued to gain experience in competitive tournaments before making his biggest jump to the PKL.
One important step in his development came when he became part of the Bengaluru Bulls setup. Ankush was introduced as a young player in PKL Season 8, but he did not get regular playing time during that season. As a result, his main opportunity came later, when Jaipur Pink Panthers picked him for Season 9.
That move changed his career. In Season 9, Ankush became a regular member of the Jaipur defence and finished with 89 tackle points in 24 matches. He ended the season as the top defender in the league and helped Jaipur Pink Panthers win the PKL title.
Ankush Rathee in Pro Kabaddi League
Ankush Rathee’s Pro Kabaddi League career began with a quiet first step and then quickly turned into one of the most memorable starts for a young defender. His first major PKL season was Season 9 with Jaipur Pink Panthers. He played 24 matches and collected 89 tackle points, becoming the leading defender of the season. The official PKL website records this as the most tackle points by a defender in a single PKL season at that time for Ankush.
His Season 9 campaign also came with a major team achievement. Jaipur Pink Panthers went on to win the title after beating Puneri Paltan 34-29 in the final. Ankush’s defensive contribution played an important part in Jaipur’s successful season, and he received the Best Defender award.
In Season 10, Jaipur retained Ankush after his outstanding debut year. He played 22 matches and recorded 70 tackle points, eight High 5s and a tackle success rate of about 58 percent according to career records. His second season showed that his first-year performance was not a one-season event.
Ankush continued with Jaipur in Season 11 and played 23 matches. He finished that season with 68 tackle points and three High 5s. The Olympic website’s PKL coverage listed him ninth among the leading tackle-point scorers in Season 11. He also picked up Defender of the Day awards during the season after strong defensive performances.
Before PKL Season 12, Jaipur Pink Panthers released Ankush from their squad. He was then picked by Bengaluru Bulls at the Season 12 auction at his base price, and the franchise named him captain. This was an important development in his professional career because he moved from being a young defender known for his tackling to taking responsibility as a team leader.
His Season 12 campaign with Bengaluru Bulls, however, was shorter than expected. Ankush played in the team’s opening matches and scored five points in two games. Later, Deepak Sankar replaced him in the lineup, and official PKL previews noted that Sankar became an important part of Bengaluru’s defence after replacing Ankush.
Public statistical databases now list Ankush with 71 total PKL matches and 232 tackle points in his career. They also credit him with 16 Super Tackles and 21 High 5s.
Ankush Rathee’s International Kabaddi Career
Ankush Rathee has represented India at the junior international level. One of the biggest moments of his early international career came in the 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship held in Urmia, Iran, in March 2023.
Ankush was selected for India’s junior team and was reported as the captain of the side. The Indian squad included several young players who later became familiar names in Indian kabaddi. India’s campaign remained unbeaten, and the team reached the final against hosts Iran.
The final became one of the most important matches of Ankush’s junior international career. India were trailing 32-30 with only two Indian players left on the mat when Ankush executed a Super Tackle on an Iranian raider. That move helped India avoid an All-Out and changed the momentum of the match. India then recovered and defeated Iran 41-33 to win the Junior World Kabaddi Championship title.
It is important to note that Ankush’s publicly documented international career is mainly at the junior level. There is no reliable evidence showing a senior India international record comparable with a player who has played major senior World Cup or Asian Games.
Ankush Rathee’s Career Stats
| PKL Season | Team | Matches | Tackle Points | High 5s |
| Season 9 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 24 | 89 | 9 |
| Season 10 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 22 | 70 | 8 |
| Season 11 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 23 | 68 | 3 |
| Season 12 | Bengaluru Bulls | 2* | 5* | 0* |
| Career Total | — | 71 | 232 | 21 |
His Season 9 numbers remain the standout part of his PKL record. The official league site confirms that he scored 89 tackle points in that season and finished as the top defender.
Ankush Rathee Family
Ankush comes from Haryana, a state with a strong kabaddi culture. Some biographical reports mention that his brother Amit Rathee is also associated with kabaddi, suggesting that the sport has had a place within his family and surroundings. However, detailed information about his parents and other family members is not widely available through reliable public sources.
Because family information about professional athletes can often be repeated without proper sources, it is better to use only details that have been published by credible profiles or directly shared by the player.
Ankush Rathee Personal Life
Ankush Rathee generally keeps his personal life away from the main focus of his professional career. Most publicly available information about him is related to kabaddi, his teams, training and competitions.
There is limited verified information about his life away from kabaddi, including details about his education, daily routine and close family life. Therefore, it would not be correct to add personal claims that have not been confirmed by Ankush or a reliable source.
Ankush Rathee Girlfriend
There is no reliable public confirmation about Ankush Rathee’s girlfriend or current relationship status. Some social media posts and fan-made content may refer to relationships, but those posts do not provide enough evidence to state that he is dating a particular person.
Ankush Rathee Hobbies
Detailed information about Ankush Rathee’s hobbies is also limited in reliable public sources. Most available interviews, profiles and news stories focus on his kabaddi career rather than his activities away from the mat.
It is therefore better not to present specific hobbies as facts without a direct statement from the player. General activities associated with professional kabaddi players, such as gym training, fitness work and sports practice, should not automatically be called hobbies because they are part of an athlete’s professional routine.
Ankush Rathee Net Worth
There is no reliable, officially confirmed figure available for Ankush Rathee’s net worth. Online websites may publish different estimates, but these figures are often based on guesses and do not provide clear information about contracts, sponsorships, investments, taxes or other earnings.
His PKL earnings are easier to discuss through known auction information. For PKL Season 12, Bengaluru Bulls acquired Ankush at his base price of ₹30 lakh, and the official PKL website confirmed the same amount.
Ankush Rathee Major Achievements
Ankush Rathee achieved several important milestones at a young age. His biggest early PKL achievement came in Season 9, when he won the Best Defender award after finishing with 89 tackle points. He was also part of the Jaipur Pink Panthers team that won the PKL Season 9 title.
At the international junior level, he was part of India’s gold-medal-winning team at the 2nd Junior World Kabaddi Championship in 2023. His Super Tackle in the final against Iran became one of the key moments of India’s 41-33 win.
He later took another step in his career by becoming captain of the Bengaluru Bulls for PKL Season 12. This leadership role added another important chapter to his professional kabaddi journey.
Ankush Rathee Career Highlights
| Achievement | Details |
| PKL Debut | Jaipur Pink Panthers, Season 9 |
| Best Defender | Pro Kabaddi Season 9 |
| Season 9 Tackle Points | 89 |
| PKL Season 9 Champion | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Junior World Championship | Gold medal in 2023 |
| Junior India Role | Captain/leader of India’s junior side |
| Senior Domestic Career | ONGC and other domestic competitions |
| PKL Captaincy | Bengaluru Bulls, Season 12 |
| Position | Left Corner Defender |
Ankush Rathee’s story is the story of a young defender who made a very fast rise in Indian kabaddi. From his early years in Haryana and domestic competitions to becoming the Best Defender in PKL Season 9, he moved quickly through the ranks of the sport. His 89 tackle points in his debut season remain one of the most important records of his career, while his Junior World Championship gold with India added an international achievement to his profile.
