When Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 rolled out on Vishakhapatnam on August 29, 2025, the city felt the roar of raiders and defenders as twelve franchises took the mat. Mashal Sports, the league’s organizer, marked the day with a fireworks‑style opening at the Indira Gandhi Arena, coinciding with India’s National Sports Day. The stakes were high: Haryana Steelers entered as defending champions, hoping to repeat a historic victory that had fans across the nation chanting their anthem.
Season launch and rolling schedule
After the curtain‑raiser in Vishakhapatnam, the league shifted to Jaipur on September 3, then to Chennai on September 10, before heading to the capital for the final leg of the league stage. The schedule is a grueling 108‑match marathon that will wrap up at Delhi’s Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in late October. Each venue hosts a cluster of matches, allowing fans in different states to soak up the action without trekking across the country.
Team line‑ups and captaincy
Every franchise unveiled a fresh roster and coaching staff this pre‑season. A few names stand out:
- Devank Dalal leads the Bengal Warriorz as captain and was snapped up for over ₹2 crore in the auction.
- Yogesh Dahiya commands the Bengaluru Bulls, steering a squad that blends veteran raiders with explosive newcomers.
- Ashu Malik wears the armband for Dabang Delhi K.C., backed by Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali.
- Ajay Thakur sits on the bench for Puneri Paltan, while Aslam Inamdar leads on the mat.
Other captains include Jaideep Dahiya (Haryana Steelers), Reza Mirbagheri (Jaipur Pink Panthers), Ankit Jaglan (Patna Pirates), Sunil Kumar (U Mumba) and Sumit Sangwan (UP Yoddha). The coaching carousel also saw fresh faces like BC Ramesh at the Bengaluru Bulls and Krishan Kumar Hooda at the Telugu Titans.
Match results and points tally after 48 games
From October 10 to October 16, the league delivered a roller‑coaster of wins, ties and nail‑biting tie‑breakers. Highlights include:
- October 10 – U Mumba thumped Bengal Warriorz 48‑29, a 19‑point drubbing that sent shockwaves through the standings.
- October 11 – Bengaluru Bulls demolished Jaipur Pink Panthers 47‑26, showcasing a dominant raiding display.
- October 12 – Dabang Delhi and Puneri Paltan locked at 38‑38, but Puneri edged the tie‑breaker 6‑5.
- October 13 – Haryana Steelers squeaked past Patna Pirates 39‑32, keeping their title‑defence hopes alive.
- October 15 – Puneri Paltan ran riot, beating Jaipur Pink Panthers 57‑33, the highest margin so far.
- October 16 – Patna Pirates drew 38‑38 with Bengaluru Bulls; Pirates won the tie‑breaker 6‑4.
Points are allocated as three for a win, two for a tie‑winner (the side that clinches the tie‑breaker), and one for a tie‑loser. After 48 matches, the provisional table has Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan leading with 10 points each, while defending champs Haryana Steelers sit a point behind.
Strategic takeaways from the first half of the league
Analysts at Sportsboard India note that the Bengal Warriorz have placed a massive bet on Devank Dalal. His auction price reflects expectations of both scoring raids and anchoring the defence. Meanwhile, Puneri Paltan’s blend of Ajay Thakur’s tactical nous and Aslam Inamdar’s raiding flair has turned them into a dark horse.
Delhi’s reliance on Ashu Malik is another story. Malik’s consistency as a raider, coupled with Atrachali’s experience in the circle, gives Dabang Delhi a balanced attack‑defence mix that could surprise higher‑ranked teams.
Jaipur Pink Panthers, despite a storied past, have struggled to find rhythm. Their captain, Reza Mirbagheri, admits the team is still ironing out chemistry issues, especially after the heavy loss to Puneri.
What the rest of the season could hold
With six weeks left in the league stage, a few scenarios loom large. If Bengaluru Bulls keep their high‑scoring momentum, they could lock the top seed and enjoy a favourable semi‑final draw. Puneri Paltan, riding a five‑game winning streak, may challenge the Steelers for a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ defense‑first philosophy could face a test when they meet the raid‑heavy Telugu Titans in Delhi on October 23. A win there would solidify their claim as the team to beat.
Fans should also keep an eye on emerging youngsters like Sachin Tanwar (Puneri) and Reza Shadloui (Gujarat Giants). Their breakout performances could tilt the balance in tightly contested matches.
Key facts
- Season start: 29 August 2025 (Vishakhapatnam)
- Total matches: 108 (league stage)
- Defending champions: Haryana Steelers
- Current leaders after 48 games: Bengaluru Bulls, Puneri Paltan (10 points each)
- Final league venue: Delhi, Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the points system affect team rankings?
A win earns three points, a tie‑winner (the side that wins the tie‑breaker) gets two, while the tie‑loser receives one. This means a team that often wins tie‑breakers can climb higher than a side with the same number of draws but fewer tie‑breaker successes.
Which players are expected to be the breakout stars this season?
Analysts point to Devank Dalal of Bengal Warriorz, Sachin Tanwar (Puneri Paltan) and the young raider Reza Shadloui of Gujarat Giants as potential game‑changers.
What impact has the PKL had on kabaddi’s popularity in India?
Since its launch in 2014, PKL has turned kabaddi into a prime‑time spectacle, boosting TV viewership, attracting corporate sponsors and raising player salaries to multi‑crore figures, thereby professionalising the sport like never before.
When and where will the playoffs begin?
The playoff phase is slated to start in early November, with the semi‑finals and final scheduled at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi, following the conclusion of the 108‑match league stage.
Which team has the toughest schedule remaining?
The Hyderabad‑based Telugu Titans face a packed run of away fixtures against top‑four teams in Delhi and Mumbai, making their path to the playoffs one of the most challenging.
