PKL 2025
Gujarat GiantsPro Kabaddi LeagueShridhar Kadam

PKL 2025: Gujarat’s 19-Yr-Old Star Kept His Contract a Secret; Now Has a 133% Tackle Rate

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 22, 2025 04:47 pm IST
PKL 2025: Gujarat's 19-Yr-Old Star Kept His Contract a Secret; Now Has a 133% Tackle Rate

Can you imagine signing a professional sports contract and not telling your family? Yeah, that’s exactly what 19-year-old Shridhar Kadam did after the Gujarat Giants picked him for Pro Kabaddi League 2025. This young gun from Pune has a story that’s about more than just kabaddi. It’s about facing your fears, head-on.

Key Takeaways

  • Shridhar Kadam, 19, is a breakout New Young Player (NYP) for the Gujarat Giants.
  • He surprisingly kept his PKL contract a secret from his family until the team announced it.
  • Kadam admitted to being ‘afraid’ of the large crowds and bright lights during his debut.
  • In 7 matches, he boasts a fantastic tackle strike rate of 133% and has scored 13 total points.

The Big Secret

So, here’s how it went down. Kadam, who started playing kabaddi in school because his friends pushed him to, was crushing it in local tournaments. The Gujarat Giants saw his potential and signed him under the New Young Player category. But instead of calling home with the massive news, he kept it quiet.

Why? He wanted to wait until it was absolutely official. The news finally broke when the team and coach posted about his inclusion on social media. Only then did he tell his parents, who have always supported his journey. Talk about a dramatic reveal.

From Nerves to Numbers

Look, the big stage is intimidating. Kadam made his PKL debut against Puneri Paltan and openly admitted he was scared. The huge crowds, the bright arena lighting, it was a lot to take in for a 19-year-old. He felt the pressure. A lot of it.

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But then, something clicked. Once he got on the mat and started playing, the fear melted away. And his performance? It speaks for itself. In just seven matches this season, he’s already racked up 13 points, with 9 raid points and 4 tackle points. But the most mind-blowing stat is his tackle strike rate of 133%. That’s not just good; it’s phenomenal. He also has a decent raid success rate of 47.36%.

What This Means for the Giants

For the Gujarat Giants, Kadam is proving to be a hidden gem. Finding a young player who can handle both raiding and defense with such confidence is a huge win. He’s not just filling a spot; he’s making an impact and showing he belongs under the bright lights.

His journey from a nervous debutant to a player with rock-solid stats is one of the coolest stories of PKL 2025 so far. He’s showing everyone that with a little courage, you can overcome any fear. What do you think is next for this rising star?