Sunil Kumar is an Indian kabaddi defender from Haryana who captained India to the men’s kabaddi gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Sunil Kumar, also known as Sunil Malik, plays as a right cover defender. In the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) he has played for Patna Pirates, Gujarat Fortunegiants (now Gujarat Giants), Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba. He captained Jaipur Pink Panthers to the PKL Season 9 title in 2022, and in December 2024 he became the most successful captain in PKL history.
Early Life
Sunil Kumar was born on 12 May 1997 in Sonipat district, Haryana. He comes from a farming family and started playing kabaddi as a boy. He is the cousin of kabaddi defender Parvesh Bhainswal.
Sunil and Parvesh grew up playing together and went through school and university kabaddi side by side. Their coaches used them together in the two cover positions, which need close understanding between the players.
Both were picked for PKL Season 4 in 2016. Sunil Kumar went to Patna Pirates and Parvesh went to Jaipur Pink Panthers. A year later both were signed by Gujarat Fortunegiants, where they became one of the best-known defensive pairs in the league.
Sunil Kumar Pro Kabaddi Career
Sunil Kumar made his PKL debut in Season 4 with Patna Pirates and played one match for them.
Gujarat Fortunegiants bought him for ₹30.40 lakh for Season 5 in 2017. Gujarat reached the final in their first season. Sunil scored 57 tackle points, the third-highest tally by a right cover defender that season.
Gujarat named him captain for Season 6 in 2018. He finished that season as the league’s most successful right cover defender with 76 tackle points, and his 81 assists were the second-most among all defenders. Gujarat again reached the final. His signature move is the diving thigh hold.
He stayed with Gujarat through Season 8. Midway through Season 8 the team handed the captaincy to Ravinder Pahal.
Jaipur Pink Panthers and the PKL 9 title
Sunil Kumar joined Jaipur Pink Panthers for Season 9 in 2022 and was made captain. Jaipur beat Puneri Paltan in the final to win their second PKL title. Jaipur released him after Season 10.
U Mumba captain (2024-2025)
U Mumba bought Sunil Kumar for ₹1.015 crore at the PKL 11 auction in 2024 and made him captain. On 4 December 2024, when U Mumba beat Puneri Paltan 43-29, he became the most successful captain in PKL history by number of wins.
In May 2025, U Mumba retained him as captain for PKL 12. Before that season he had 390 tackle points in the PKL, fifth on the all-time list. In PKL 12 he scored 52 tackle points in 19 matches.
Sunil Kumar at the 2026 Asian Games
Sunil Kumar was named captain of India’s 12-member men’s kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, held from 21 to 26 September 2026 at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium.
India won all six of their matches. They beat South Korea 63-31 in the group stage and Thailand 66-28 in the semi-final. In the final on 26 September 2026, India came back from 17-18 down at half-time to beat Iran 40-34 and retain the gold medal. It was India’s ninth men’s kabaddi gold at the Asian Games. Sunil made an early Super Tackle on Iran’s Mohammadreza Shadlouichiyaneh in the final.
Personal Profile & Further Details:
| Full Name | Sunil Kumar (Sunil Malik) |
| Date of Birth | 12 May 1997 |
| Birthplace | Sonipat district, Haryana |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Position | Defender (right cover) |
| Signature Move | Diving thigh hold |
| Current PKL Club | U Mumba (captain, PKL 11 and PKL 12) |
| Former Clubs | Patna Pirates, Gujarat Fortunegiants, Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Cousin | Parvesh Bhainswal |
| Major Honours | PKL champion (Season 9, captain); Asian Games gold 2026 (captain) |
Teams Played For
| Seasons | Teams |
| Season 4 (2016) | Patna Pirates |
| Season 5 to Season 8 (2017 to 2021) | Gujarat Fortunegiants (Gujarat Giants) |
| Season 9 and Season 10 (2022 to 2023) | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Season 11 and Season 12 (2024 to 2025) | U Mumba |
Tackle Points in Selected Seasons
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Total Tackle Points |
| PKL 4 | Patna Pirates | 1 | 0 |
| PKL 5 | Gujarat Fortunegiants | 24 | 57 |
| PKL 6 | Gujarat Fortunegiants | 25 | 76 |
| PKL 7 | Gujarat Fortunegiants | 18 | 46 |
| PKL 12 | U Mumba | 19 | 52 |
Career: 390 PKL tackle points before PKL 12, fifth on the all-time list, plus 52 in PKL 12 (as of November 2026).
Sunil Kumar Records and Achievements
- Captained India to the men’s kabaddi gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
- Captained Jaipur Pink Panthers to the PKL Season 9 title in 2022.
- Became the most successful captain in PKL history in December 2024.
- His 57 tackle points were the third-highest by a right cover defender in Season 5.
- Finished Season 6 as the league’s most successful right cover defender with 76 tackle points.
- His 81 assists were the second-most among all defenders in Season 6.
Sunil Kumar Social Media:
Sunil Kumar Instagram: @sunil2017malik
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sunil Kumar?
Sunil Kumar is an Indian kabaddi defender from Haryana who plays as a right cover. He captained India to the men's kabaddi gold at the 2026 Asian Games.
When and where was Sunil Kumar born?
Sunil Kumar was born on 12 May 1997 in Sonipat district, Haryana.
Who is Sunil Kumar's cousin?
Sunil Kumar is the cousin of kabaddi defender Parvesh Bhainswal. The two played together as a cover pair for Gujarat Fortunegiants.
When did Sunil Kumar make his Pro Kabaddi debut?
He made his PKL debut in Season 4 in 2016 with Patna Pirates, where he played one match.
Which PKL teams has Sunil Kumar played for?
He has played for Patna Pirates, Gujarat Fortunegiants (now Gujarat Giants), Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba.
Which team does Sunil Kumar play for now?
He plays for U Mumba, who bought him for ₹1.015 crore at the PKL 11 auction and retained him as captain for PKL 12.
Has Sunil Kumar won the Pro Kabaddi League?
Yes. He captained Jaipur Pink Panthers to the PKL Season 9 title in 2022, when they beat Puneri Paltan in the final.
Was Sunil Kumar India's captain at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. He captained India's 12-member men's kabaddi squad at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. India beat Iran 40-34 in the final on 26 September 2026 to win gold.
How many tackle points does Sunil Kumar have in the PKL?
He had 390 PKL tackle points before PKL 12, fifth on the all-time list, and scored 52 more in 19 matches in PKL 12.
What is Sunil Kumar's signature move?
His signature move is the diving thigh hold.
