The first Orange Sleeve winner in PKL history was Manjeet Chhillar of the Bengaluru Bulls. He earned the honour (the Orange Armband) during the inaugural Pro Kabaddi League season in 2014 after producing one of the strongest defensive campaigns in the competition’s early history.
Chhillar finished PKL Season 1 as the league’s leading defender with 51 tackle points. His performances helped establish him as one of the most important defensive players in the early years of the league.
Manjeet Chhillar Won the First Orange Sleeve
The PKL Season 1 Orange Sleeve historically refers to the award formerly known as the Orange Armband that was won by the tournament’s leading defender in earlier PKL seasons. Chhillar claimed the honour in 2014 after finishing with 51 tackle points and 51 successful tackles.
He also recorded three High 5s during the season, showing his ability to consistently make important defensive contributions for Bengaluru Bulls.
Chhillar played primarily as a left cover and also contributed as an all-rounder. His defensive strength made him a key part of the Bengaluru Bulls team during the first PKL season.
His overall contribution went beyond tackles. Chhillar also scored 71 raid points, finishing the campaign with 122 total points. This showed his ability to contribute at both ends of the mat.
Surender Nada Finished Close Behind
The race for the first Orange Sleeve winner in Pro Kabaddi was extremely close. U Mumba defender Surender Nada also finished with 51 tackle points.
However, Chhillar had the advantage in successful tackles, completing 51 compared with Nada’s 47. Chhillar’s overall defensive efficiency helped him secure the official Best Defender of the Tournament award.
Nada still had an outstanding season and recorded four High 5s, one more than Chhillar. His performances made him one of the most dangerous defenders in the competition.
Rohit Rana of Jaipur Pink Panthers finished third among the leading defenders with 38 tackle points. Jasmer Singh Gulia of Dabang Delhi K.C. also had 38, while Dharmaraj Cheralathan of Bengaluru Bulls finished with 39.
What Was the Orange Sleeve?
The Orange Sleeve became one of the most recognisable symbols in PKL. It was worn by the active leading defender during the tournament and acted as the defensive equivalent of the Green Sleeve awarded to the leading raider.
The concept gave fans an easy way to identify the best-performing defender during the competition. It also helped highlight the importance of defensive contributions in a league that naturally attracted a lot of attention towards raiders.
For Chhillar, becoming the first player to wear the Orange Armband gave him a special place in PKL Orange Sleeve history.
Chhillar’s Lasting PKL Legacy
Manjeet Chhillar went on to become one of the most respected defenders in Pro Kabaddi history. His strength, experience and ability to read raiders made him a major figure in the development of modern PKL defence.
His Season 1 campaign was particularly important because it came during the league’s first-ever season. By leading the defensive charts and winning the first Best Defender award, Chhillar helped set the standard for defenders who followed.
The first Orange Sleeve winner PKL fans remember is therefore Manjeet Chhillar. His 51 tackle points, three High 5s and 122 total points made him one of the standout performers of the inaugural season.
The PKL Season 1 Orange Sleeve was more than an individual award. It helped establish defence as one of the key attractions of Pro Kabaddi and began a tradition that remains an important part of the league’s identity.
