Wed Oct 15 15:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, focusing on the rise of Kabaddi in India and highlighting the stories of three players in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL):

**Headline: Kabaddi Fever Sweeps India: PKL Stars Share Their Journey from Mud Courts to National Stage**

**Chennai, October 9, 2025** – In a nation traditionally obsessed with cricket, Kabaddi is surging in popularity, captivating audiences and transforming from a rural pastime into a nationally televised sporting spectacle. The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), now in its 12th season, is at the forefront of this transformation, attracting fresh talent and dedicated fans.

The growing fervor was recently highlighted when a spectator breached security during a Tamil Thalaivas vs U Mumba match, an unprecedented event in the league’s history, showcasing the sport’s rising influence. The PKL 2025, currently underway in Chennai, features many exceptional players and has become a breeding ground for talented sportsman.

*The Hindu* spoke with three standout athletes, exploring their unique journeys to the professional Kabaddi circuit:

* **Deepak Sankar (Bengaluru Bulls):** Hailing from Kattur village in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu, Deepak honed his skills in local fields, mastering specialized moves like the Back Hold and Ankle Hold. “Like cricket, kabaddi also has immense reach today, even in Tamil Nadu,” says Deepak, who considers Iranian kabaddi player Fazel Atrachali and cricket superstar Virat Kohli as his inspirations. The local boy’s rise is inspiring young aspiring players in his hometown.
* **Ayan Lochab (Patna Pirates):** A hero in his village of Bupania, Haryana, Ayan’s journey began on the mud courts where he initially played to avoid school. Now, the New Young Player Award winner inspires children who watch him on television. “Unlike cricket, where you need expensive kits and facilities, kabaddi can be played by anyone,” Ayan says, emphasizing the sport’s accessibility.
* **Devank Dalal (Bengal Warriors):** The most expensive Indian signing in the PKL this season at ₹2.205 crore, Devank, from Singhpura Khurd, Haryana, overcame a life-threatening skull injury to become a captain in PKL 2025 and a record-breaking raider. Devank dreams of representing India in the Asian Games and the World Cup and believes the sport will be recognised and enter the Olympics.

These athletes exemplify the spirit of Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian culture that is now finding a new generation of fans and players. Viewers can catch all the live action of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.

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**Note:** This version attempts to capture the key information provided, give it a journalistic tone, and focus on the core narrative of the original text. I have added a bit of context and flow to make it read like a news article.

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