Akash Shinde, known to fans as “Sky Shinde”, is a Pro Kabaddi League raider who went from playing barefoot on the muddy grounds of Adgaon village in Nashik to lifting the PKL trophy with Puneri Paltan. Since many fans search specifically to confirm his exact age and birth year, this article opens with that answer before covering his complete biography, career journey, records and personal life.
Who is Akash Shinde Kabaddi?
Akash Shinde, full name Akash Santosh Shinde, is an Indian professional kabaddi player who plays as a left raider in the Pro Kabaddi League. Hailing from Adgaon village in Nashik, Maharashtra, he became the first kabaddi player from the Nashik region to reach the national level, let alone the PKL, a fact that made his rise a genuine point of local pride. He spent his early PKL seasons with Puneri Paltan, winning the title with the franchise in Season 10, before moving to Bengaluru Bulls ahead of PKL Season 12 as their most expensive signing of that auction.
Known for his sharp reflexes, quick acceleration and deceptive footwork, Akash has also represented India internationally, forming part of the Indian squad that won gold in kabaddi at the 2022 Asian Games. His journey from a small town with no prior kabaddi pedigree to the top level of the sport has made him an inspirational figure for young players from similar backgrounds.
Quick Profile of Akash Shinde Kabaddi
| Full Name | Akash Santosh Shinde |
| Nickname | Sky Shinde |
| Date of Birth | March 7, 2001 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 25 years old |
| Birthplace | Adgaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India |
| Sport | Kabaddi |
| Playing Position | Left Raider |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lb) |
| PKL Debut | Season 8 (2021), Puneri Paltan |
| Current PKL Team | Bengaluru Bulls (since PKL Season 12, 2025) |
| PKL Title | Champion with Puneri Paltan, Season 10 |
| International Honour | Gold medal, 2022 Asian Games (Indian kabaddi team) |
| Auction Value (PKL 12) | INR 53.10 lakh, Bengaluru Bulls’ costliest pick that auction |
| Nationality | Indian |
Early Life and Childhood
Akash Shinde grew up in Adgaon, a village in Nashik district, Maharashtra. No one in his family had ever played kabaddi before him, and while the sport was popular in his village, no player from the entire Nashik district had made it to the national level, let alone the Maharashtra state team or the PKL, before Akash did. As a child, he played kabaddi on muddy village grounds, often coming home with bruises from the rough surface, a memory he has spoken about fondly in later interviews as part of his journey.
Birth, Age and Hometown
| Date of Birth | March 7, 2001 |
| Current Age (2026) | 25 years old |
| Birthplace | Adgaon village, Nashik district, Maharashtra, India |
| Notable Distinction | First kabaddi player from the Nashik region to reach the national level |
Family Background
Akash Shinde has spoken about the fact that no one in his family had a background in kabaddi before he took up the sport. He has described his family’s initial concerns about his focus on kabaddi, a common experience among young Indian athletes from regions without an established pathway into professional sport. Despite this, his own passion for the game remained strong enough to push through those early doubts.
Education and Early Interests
Akash represented his college in Beed, Maharashtra, which proved to be an important step in his early kabaddi journey, since it earned him his first opportunity to play for the Maharashtra state team. It was during this period that his game began to develop rapidly under the guidance of coaches who recognised his raw potential.
How Akash Shinde Started Playing Kabaddi
Akash’s path into competitive kabaddi was anything but smooth. He faced repeated setbacks early on, failing to make the cut at various trials and levels of competition. His breakthrough finally came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik, a performance that opened the door to the Junior Nationals and eventually caught the attention of Yuva Paltan, Puneri Paltan’s talent development academy. Early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde played a key role in nurturing his passion for the sport during this period, while Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale guided his development once he broke into the Maharashtra state setup. His move from playing for the Mahindra & Mahindra team to Yuva Paltan, where mentors Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game further, proved to be the turning point that ultimately led to his PKL opportunity.
Professional Kabaddi Career
Akash Shinde made his Pro Kabaddi League debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 (2021), though his opportunities were initially limited, he featured in just three matches and scored nine points in his debut season. His real breakthrough arrived in Season 9, where he took on a much larger raiding role and delivered an outstanding campaign, scoring 142 points in 22 matches at a raid strike rate of around 63 percent, and helping Puneri Paltan reach the final, where they narrowly lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers by just two to three points, a defeat Akash has described as a formative, painful experience.
That heartbreak fuelled a stronger campaign the following year. In Season 10, Akash was part of the Puneri Paltan squad that went all the way and won the PKL title, even stepping in to captain the side at points during the season in the absence of injured skipper Aslam Inamdar. Though he played a somewhat reduced role that title winning season, he still contributed 56 to 58 raid points across 13 matches. He followed this with another solid campaign in Season 11, scoring 93 points in 19 matches. Across four PKL seasons with Puneri Paltan, Akash amassed 302 total points, comprising 296 raid points and 6 tackle points, from 57 matches, along with 8 Super Raids and 9 Super 10s.
Ahead of PKL Season 12 in 2025, Akash Shinde was bought by Bengaluru Bulls for INR 53.10 lakh in the season’s player auction, making him the franchise’s costliest pick of that auction cycle. He joined the Bulls’ pre-season training camp in Tirupati and has spoken about wanting to bring the experience of his Season 10 title win to help lead a young Bengaluru Bulls squad toward further success.
Kabaddi Career stats
Akash Shinde’s raiding numbers have grown steadily across his PKL seasons with Puneri Paltan. The table below reflects his cumulative record with the franchise before his move to Bengaluru Bulls for Season 12.
| PKL Debut Season | Season 8 (2021), Puneri Paltan |
| Season 8 | 9 points in 3 matches |
| Season 9 | 142 points in 22 matches, around 63% raid strike rate; helped Puneri Paltan reach the final |
| Season 10 | 56 to 58 raid points in 13 matches; PKL champion with Puneri Paltan; captained the side at points in Aslam Inamdar’s absence |
| Season 11 | 93 points in 19 matches |
| Total with Puneri Paltan (4 seasons) | 302 points (296 raid points, 6 tackle points) in 57 matches; 8 Super Raids; 9 Super 10s |
| Career-wide totals (all seasons, per league statistics) | Around 370 points in 72 matches, averaging close to 5 raid points per match, with a raid success rate of around 55 percent |
Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Journey
Akash Shinde’s PKL journey began with Puneri Paltan in Season 8, where he played a limited supporting role. His Season 9 breakout, scoring 142 points and helping the franchise reach the final, established him as a genuine first team option. The disappointment of that final defeat became motivation for Season 10, when Puneri Paltan won the PKL title with Akash as part of the squad, even taking on captaincy duties for parts of the season while regular skipper Aslam Inamdar was sidelined by injury. He continued as a key contributor in Season 11 before Puneri Paltan’s four season chapter of his career came to a close.
In 2025, ahead of PKL Season 12, Bengaluru Bulls signed Akash Shinde for INR 53.10 lakh, their most expensive acquisition of that auction, as part of a wider effort to build a young, promising squad. He has spoken about the added responsibility of playing a more central raiding role for the Bulls and about drawing on the composure and experience gained from his title winning run with Puneri Paltan to help guide his new, younger teammates.
| Team | Seasons | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Puneri Paltan | Season 8 to Season 11 | PKL champion in Season 10; 302 career points for the franchise across 57 matches |
| Bengaluru Bulls | Season 12 (2025) onward | Signed for INR 53.10 lakh as the team’s costliest auction pick; expected to play a more central raiding role |
Playing Style and Strengths
Akash Shinde plays as a left raider known for his sharp reflexes, quick acceleration and deceptive footwork, qualities that allow him to consistently outmanoeuvre defenders. His signature skill is a fast running hand touch, executed with enough unpredictability to leave defenders guessing about his next move. Teammates and coaches have also pointed to his composure in high pressure, crunch-time situations, a quality he has directly credited to the hard lessons learned from Puneri Paltan’s narrow Season 9 final defeat, which he says helped him stay calm during the tighter moments of the Season 10 title run.
Major Records and Achievements
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| PKL Title | Champion with Puneri Paltan in Season 10 |
| Breakout Season | 142 points in 22 matches during Season 9, helping the team reach the final |
| International Honour | Gold medal with India at the 2022 Asian Games, beating Iran 33-29 in a controversial final |
| Career Points with Puneri Paltan | 302 points across 57 matches over four seasons |
| Auction Value (PKL 12) | INR 53.10 lakh, Bengaluru Bulls’ costliest pick of the auction |
| Regional Distinction | First kabaddi player from the Nashik region to reach the national and PKL level |
Awards and Recognition
Akash Shinde’s most significant team honour is his PKL Season 10 championship with Puneri Paltan, a title he helped the team win while also stepping into a captaincy role at points during the season due to injury to the regular skipper. His place in the Indian squad that won gold at the 2022 Asian Games (held in Hangzhou in 2023) stands as his most notable individual recognition on the international stage, adding a national team honour to his club level success.
| Achievement / Recognition | Year | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| PKL Champion | Season 10 | With Puneri Paltan |
| Asian Games Gold Medal | 2022 Games (held 2023) | As part of the Indian kabaddi team, beating Iran 33-29 in the final |
| Bengaluru Bulls’ Costliest Auction Pick | PKL Season 12 (2025) | Signed for INR 53.10 lakh |
Challenges and Comebacks
Akash Shinde’s path to the PKL was shaped by repeated early setbacks, he failed to make the cut at various trials and levels before his breakthrough came at a seniors’ trial in Nashik in 2019. Coming from a district with no history of producing national level kabaddi players added extra pressure and uncertainty to his journey, since he had no local example or pathway to follow. His family also had initial concerns about his focus on the sport, concerns he had to work through as he pursued his ambitions.
On the mat, his defining setback came in PKL Season 9, when Puneri Paltan lost the final to Jaipur Pink Panthers by just two to three points, an agonisingly close defeat. Rather than letting that loss define his career, Akash has described how the experience taught him composure under pressure, lessons that directly contributed to Puneri Paltan’s title winning campaign the very next season, Season 10, when the team went all the way and lifted the trophy.
Life Beyond Kabaddi
Akash Shinde has become something of a symbol of inspiration for young kabaddi players from smaller towns and regions without an established sporting pipeline, given that no one from his own Nashik district had reached the national level before him. He has used his platform to encourage young athletes from rural India to keep believing in themselves and their dedication, while also stressing the importance of staying loyal to the clubs and academies that helped nurture their early talent.
Wife, Relationships and Personal Life
Akash Shinde has not publicly disclosed information about his marital status or personal relationships. Public coverage of his life to date has focused almost entirely on his kabaddi journey, from his childhood in Adgaon to his PKL title win and subsequent move to Bengaluru Bulls, without confirmed details about a spouse or partner. In the absence of information he has shared himself, this article does not speculate on his personal relationships.
Net Worth, Salary and Income Sources
Akash Shinde’s exact net worth has not been officially disclosed, and there is no verified figure from a reliable source. What is confirmed is his most recent PKL auction value, he was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for INR 53.10 lakh ahead of Season 12, making him the franchise’s most expensive pick of that auction and reflecting his standing as an established, title winning raider. His broader income is understood to come from his PKL contracts across his time with Puneri Paltan and now Bengaluru Bulls, along with any earnings tied to representing India internationally. Readers should be cautious of any specific net worth figures found on unverified websites, since these are not backed by confirmed sources.
Lifestyle, House and Car Collection
No verified details about Akash Shinde’s residence, personal lifestyle or car collection are publicly available. Public coverage of him remains centred on his kabaddi performances, his journey from Adgaon village, and his career achievements rather than his personal possessions or lifestyle choices.
Social Media Presence
Akash Shinde maintains a public profile on instagram, where fans and kabaddi followers track his performances, match highlights and career updates. His inspirational rise from a village with no kabaddi pedigree to a PKL title and a big money move to Bengaluru Bulls has made him a popular figure among fans following the growth of the sport in regions outside kabaddi’s more traditional hubs.
Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Akash Shinde
| Fact |
| No player from his home district of Nashik had ever reached the national or PKL level before he did. |
| He used to come home with bruises as a child from playing kabaddi on muddy village grounds in Adgaon. |
| No one in his family had a background in kabaddi before his own career began. |
| He failed to make the cut at multiple early trials before his breakthrough at a seniors’ trial in Nashik in 2019. |
| He captained Puneri Paltan at points during their Season 10 title winning campaign, filling in for injured skipper Aslam Inamdar. |
| He was part of India’s gold medal winning squad at the 2022 Asian Games, where India beat Iran 33-29 in a controversial final. |
| He was Bengaluru Bulls’ most expensive signing of the PKL Season 12 auction, bought for INR 53.10 lakh. |
| He has openly credited a painful two to three point final defeat in Season 9 as a turning point that helped him develop composure under pressure. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Akash Shinde the kabaddi player?
Akash Shinde was born on March 7, 2001, which makes him 25 years old as of 2026.
Where is Akash Shinde from?
He is from Adgaon village in Nashik district, Maharashtra, India.
Which PKL team does Akash Shinde currently play for?
He plays for Bengaluru Bulls, having joined the franchise ahead of PKL Season 12 in 2025 after four seasons with Puneri Paltan.
Has Akash Shinde won a PKL title?
Yes, he won the PKL title with Puneri Paltan in Season 10, and even captained the side at points during that campaign due to an injury to the regular captain.
Why is Akash Shinde called “Sky Shinde”?
This is his popular nickname within kabaddi circles, reflecting his rise to the top of the sport, though its exact origin has not been widely documented in interviews.
How much was Akash Shinde bought for in the PKL Season 12 auction?
Bengaluru Bulls signed him for INR 53.10 lakh, making him the franchise’s costliest pick of the PKL Season 12 player auction.
Conclusion
Akash Shinde’s journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon village to becoming the first kabaddi player from the Nashik region to reach the national stage, and eventually a PKL champion with Puneri Paltan, is one of Indian kabaddi’s most grounded and inspiring success stories. Repeated early setbacks and a painful final defeat in Season 9 only sharpened his resolve, culminating in a title winning Season 10 campaign and, more recently, a big money move to Bengaluru Bulls ahead of Season 12. Now 25 years old and with an Asian Games gold medal and a PKL title to his name, Akash Shinde continues to serve as a symbol of what is possible for young athletes from regions with no established kabaddi pathway of their own.
Also know about: Champa Thakur Age | Naveen Kumar Age | Chetan Choudhary Kabaddi | Manathi Ganesan Kabaddi | Ashu Malik Kabaddi