Akash Santosh Shinde is one of Nashik’s most talked-about kabaddi players. He began in local tournaments, where kabaddi was just a village pastime, and slowly worked his way up to the Pro Kabaddi League.
He made a name for himself with Puneri Paltan, impressing fans with smart raids and steady performances. This season, he has moved to Bengaluru Bulls as vice-captain, ready to take the next step in his career.
This article looks at his journey, his playing style, his past performances in the Pro Kabaddi League, and a lot more.
Journey of Akash Santosh Shinde – From Nashik to PKL
Akash Santosh Shinde, from Adgaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, was born on March 7, 2001, and currently plays for the Bengaluru Bulls in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | Adgaon [March 7, 2001] |
| Hometown | Nashik, Maharashtra |
| First PKL Season | Season 8 (2021) |
| First PKL Team | Puneri Paltan |
| Current Team | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Best Achievement | Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Champion |
The PKL Journey of Akash Santosh Shinde – Local Nashik Star
Akash Santosh Shinde was born on 7 March 2001 in Adgaon, Nashik. From the start, he loved kabaddi, even though his family wasn’t sure about his dreams.
With help from his first mentors, Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde, he practiced hard, learned from local coaches, and slowly got better despite the challenges.
His big moment came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. He performed very well there, and that performance led him to play in the Junior Nationals and join Yuva Paltan, the academy of Puneri Paltan.
Akash made his PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8, making his village proud.
Season 9 was his breakthrough; he scored 142 points in 22 matches and helped the team reach the final. Season 10 was even better, with Puneri Paltan lifting the trophy and Akash achieving a 58% raid strike rate.
In PKL 12, Akash Shinde has joined the Bengaluru Bulls Team.
The team bought him for ₹53.10 lakh, and he is currently the Vice Captain of the Bengaluru Bulls.
Under the leadership of players like Akash Shinde and Ankush Rathee, the team is performing well in Season 12 of PKL and working hard to climb the PKL Points Table.
Akash Shinde’s performances for the Bengaluru Bulls have been closely followed by fans, especially with the competition heating up this season. His raiding skills and consistency have made a strong impact on the team’s campaign, and many supporters keep an eye on the Pro Kabaddi League Points Table to track how the Bulls are progressing. As the season advances, Shinde’s form will be crucial in determining the team’s chances of finishing at the top.
PKL Career Overview of Akash Santosh Shinde
Akash Shinde’s PKL profile showcases his growth as a player over the past five seasons.
| Season | Year | Team | Matches Played | Raid Strike Rate | Tackle Strike Rate | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2021 | Puneri Paltan | 3 | 82% | 0% | 9 |
| 9 | 2022 | Puneri Paltan | 22 | 63% | 38% | 142 |
| 10 | 2023/24 | Puneri Paltan | 13 | 58% | 40% | 58 |
| 11 | 2024 | Puneri Paltan | 19 | 47% | 14% | 93 |
Akash started his PKL journey with Puneri Paltan in Season 8, playing a few matches and showing promise with a strong raid strike rate. He was still learning the ropes of professional kabaddi.
By Season 9, he became a key player, appearing in most matches and scoring over 140 points. His raids and tackles helped his team reach the final.
In Season 10, he played fewer matches but still made a solid contribution, maintaining a good raid strike rate and helping Puneri Paltan lift the trophy.
Season 11 saw him play regularly again, scoring nearly 100 points. His experience and skill on the mat were evident, and across the seasons, Akash has clearly grown into a reliable and talented player.
Season 11 Overall Performance of Akash Santosh Shinde
In Season 11, the overall performance of Akash Shinde was very impressive. He played 19 matches for Puneri Paltan, scoring 92 raid points and also notable raid success.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 19 |
| Total Points Earned | 93 |
| Raid Points Per Match | 4.84 |
| Not Out % | 77.15% |
| Total Raids | 197 |
| Successful Raids % | 46.7% |
| Number of Super Raids | 1 |
| Super 10s | 2 |
| Total Raids Points | 92 |
| Number of Super Tackles | 0 |
| High 5s | 0 |
| Total Tackle Points | 1 |
| Average Successful Tackles/Match | 0.05 |
| Tackle Success Rate % | 14% |
In Season 11, Akash Santosh Shinde played 19 matches for Puneri Paltan and scored 92 points.
He was consistent with his raids, contributing nearly five points per match, and his not-out percentage showed how dependable he was on the mat.
His performance reflected clear improvement, making him an essential player for the team.
Akash also recorded a couple of Super 10s, showing he could make a big impact in critical moments.
While his tackle contributions were limited, he stayed reliable in crucial situations, helping Puneri Paltan and gaining valuable experience for future seasons.
In Season 12, Akash has started strongly with Bengaluru Bulls. His first Super 10 against Puneri Paltan was one of his best performances so far.
It will be interesting to see more superb performances from the Nashik star, who has brought new energy to his team.
Playing Style and Strengths of Akash Santosh Shinde
Akash Santosh Shinde is known as a skilled raider who combines speed with effective strategy.
He focuses on scoring points by targeting weaker defenders and using his agility to escape tricky situations on the mat. His style shows he prefers steady point-scoring over high-risk moves.
Since joining Bengaluru Bulls, his defense has improved, with a tackle success rate of 33% in Season 12 so far. He’s been working on all-around skills, making him valuable in both attack and defense.
His balanced raiding and defensive abilities, along with a high not-out rate, show that he knows when to take risks and when to play safe in crucial moments.
Key Achievements of Akash Santosh Shinde In Pro Kabaddi League
Akash Santosh Shinde has established himself as a standout player in the Pro Kabaddi League, delivering several notable performances.
He was a key member of Puneri Paltan when they won the PKL Season 10 title, scoring a 58% raid point strike rate and recording two Super 10s during the championship run.
In PKL Season 12, playing for Bengaluru Bulls, he impressed fans with a Super 10 against his former team, Puneri Paltan.
Although Puneri Paltam beat the Bengaluru Bulls in a tie-breaker, the performance by Akash Shinde was one of the highlights of the match.
Did You Know?
Akash Shinde was also one of the key players for India in the 2023 Asian Games, helping the men’s kabaddi team secure a win against Taiwan in the Kabaddi Group A match at Hangzhou.
Contribution of Akash Santosh Shinde to Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 12
Akash Santosh Shinde’s arrival at Bengaluru Bulls has brought fresh energy and new options to the team. His improved defensive skills make him valuable in both raiding and tackling situations.
The team’s confidence in him is clear from the playing time he has received in the early matches. His Super 10 against Puneri Paltan showed he can handle pressure and perform in crucial moments.
Akash’s experience from previous seasons with Puneri Paltan has helped him settle quickly into Bengaluru Bulls’ system.
His knowledge of different teams and defenders makes him a brilliant addition, contributing not just points but also to the team’s strategy and planning.
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Conclusion: Akash Santosh Shinde Is A Rising Kabaddi Star From Nashik
Akash Santosh Shinde’s journey from local kabaddi tournaments in Nashik to playing for Bengaluru Bulls shows how dedication and hard work can pay off.
Over five PKL seasons, he has grown as a player, adapting his game to meet professional demands.
Since joining Bengaluru Bulls, he has improved his defensive skills and become more versatile, making him a valuable player for future seasons.
The Nashik star has become a reliable performer in PKL, representing his hometown with pride. His story inspires young kabaddi players and entertains fans who enjoy watching Bengaluru Bulls in action.
FAQs
Akash Shinde began playing in local tournaments and trained at coaching academies in Nashik before getting scouted for professional kabaddi.
Akash Santosh Shinde won the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 championship while playing for the Puneri Paltan team.
Key strengths of Akash Shinde as a raider include smart game management, high not-out rate, consistent scoring, and improving all-around skills.
Akash Shinde is considered a rising star due to consistent improvement, adaptability, memorable performances, growing leadership, and ability to impact crucial matches.
