Vikas Kandola born on April 2 1998 in Jind, Haryana is a left raider. He has made a remarkable mark in the Pro Kabaddi League. Standing at 5’7” and weighing 68 kg Kandola combines agility, strategy and precision in his game. He began his kabaddi career in his teenage years participating in the grassroots New Young Players (NYP) program.Then debuting in PKL’s fourth season. Over the years he has grown into a formidable raider known for his signature move the Running Hand Touch.
Currently playing for the Bengaluru Bulls Kandola’s impressive performance in the league has earned him a price tag of ₹1.70 crores in Season 9. Apart from PKL he has also represented Railways in the 3rd Kabaddi Federation Cup showcasing his versatility in the sport.
Early Life
Vikas Kandola grew up in Jind, Haryana where kabaddi is more than a sport it is a tradition. Kandola started his journey early mastering the fundamentals of the game under the guidance of coaches Dharamraj Kandola and Rakesh Kumar. His education at Rajiv Gandhi College, Uchana where he pursued B.A which provided him with the balance to focus both on academics and his sporting aspirations.
His early career saw him representing Dabang Delhi in PKL’s fourth season. Although he faced challenges initially his resilience and dedication paid off when he moved to Haryana Steelers.
PKL Career
Kandola’s debut in the fourth season of PKL with Dabang Delhi was not the dream start he had hoped for. However his fortunes changed in Season 5 when he joined Haryana Steelers. In nine matches Kandola collected 61 raid points announcing his arrival as a rising star in the league.
Season 6 marked a turning point in Kandola’s career. He played 22 matches and conducted 348 raids earning a total of 183 raid points. His effective points reached 102 making him one of the standout players of the season. In Season 7 his performance continued to soar as he recorded 109 raid points from 215 raids in just 11 matches. His ability to spend over 75% of the game time on the mat solidified his position among the league’s top raiders.
In Season 8 Kandola’s all-round abilities came to the forefront. Playing 22 matches, he earned 80 raid points and contributed to the defense with 18 tackles. By Season 9, Kandola’s reputation had grown significantly, and he was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for ₹1.70 crores. He played 24 matches, earning 139 raid points and displaying his consistent excellence on the mat.
PKL Statistics and Records
Vikas Kandola’s career in the Pro Kabaddi League is marked by consistent growth and record-breaking achievements. He has played 101 matches and conducted 1,579 raids, earning 732 raid points. His ability to perform under pressure is reflected in his 22 Super Raids and his career average of 7.25 raid points per match. Notably, he was the highest point scorer for Haryana Steelers in the 2018 PKL season, earning 177 points and ranking sixth among the most successful raiders of the tournament.
Signature Move
The Running Hand Touch is Kandola’s signature move, a technique that showcases his agility and precision. This move involves a sudden burst of speed, allowing him to catch defenders off-guard and secure raid points with finesse.
Conclusion
Vikas Kandola’s journey from a young kabaddi enthusiast in Haryana to a star of the Pro Kabaddi League is nothing short of inspirational. His relentless pursuit of excellence and ability to perform consistently have made him one of the most celebrated raiders in PKL history. With his best years still ahead of him, Kandola continues to redefine the game of kabaddi.
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