PKL 2025 : The Ultimate Guide to a Season of Change | No Draws, More Thrill | Your Complete Preview of PKL12

PKL 2025: Get Ready for a Brand New Season!

The Pro Kabaddi League is back, and Season 12 is set to be a game-changer. Following a record-breaking auction and some major rule overhauls, the upcoming season promises to be a thriller. The action kicks off on August 29 with new strategies, new alliances, and a fresh fight for the title.

League Season: Key Changes and Team Prospects

This season introduces four significant changes to the league, aiming to enhance competition and player well-being.

Major Rule Adjustments

Reduced Matches: The total number of league matches has been cut from 132 to 108. Each team will now play 18 matches instead of 22. This reduction is designed to help with player fatigue and maintain intense competition throughout the season.

Simplified Points: The scoring system has been streamlined. A win now earns 2 points, while a loss gives 0 points, regardless of the score difference. This change eliminates bonus points and encourages teams to fight for every point until the final whistle.

No More Draws: Ties are a thing of the past! If a match is level, a "Five Raid Rule" will be implemented, giving each team five "do-or-die" raids. Should the score remain tied after this, a "Golden Raid" will decide the winner.

Expanded Playoffs: The playoff field has been expanded from six teams to eight. This provides more teams with a chance to qualify, making the race for the top eight even more exciting. While the top two teams still have a shorter path to the final, the competition for playoff spots is now wider than ever.

Auction and the Strategic Shift

The PKL Season 12 auction was a historic event, with a record ten players fetching over one crore rupees for the first time. The most significant move was the acquisition of all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui by Gujarat Giants for a staggering ₹2.23 crore, a move that signaled a major strategic shift in the league. While in past seasons, star raiders commanded the highest prices, franchises are now showing a clear willingness to invest heavily in versatile, two-way players who can make a difference in both attack and defense. This trend suggests that teams are prioritizing a more balanced and robust squad, promising a more tactical and unpredictable season ahead.

Pro Kabaddi League 2025: Team-by-Team Breakdown

This comprehensive breakdown offers an in-depth look at each team participating in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025, including their power rankings, key acquisitions, and predicted starting lineups.

Team Analysis and Power Rankings

Dabang Delhi K.C. (Power Ranking: 9.5/10)

Delhi has constructed what many are calling a defensive fortress. They brought back their star raider, Ashu Malik, and brought in two of the league's most experienced defenders: Fazel Atrachali and Surjeet Singh. With a deep and balanced squad, their primary challenge will be the seamless integration of new talent.

Predicted Starting 7: Fazel Atrachali, Amirhossein Bastami, Surjeet Singh, Arkam Shaikh, Ashu Malik, Ajinkya Pawar, Neeraj Narwal.

Gujarat Giants (Power Ranking: 9.0/10)

The Giants made the biggest statement at the auction, acquiring all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui for a record ₹2.23 crore. He is a game-changer who can impact both raiding and defense. The team’s success will hinge on how effectively they build their strategy around his immense talent.

Predicted Starting 7: Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Himanshu Jaglan, Shubham Kumar, Milad Jabbari, Prateek Dahiya, Rakesh H.S., Lucky Sharma.

Haryana Steelers (Power Ranking: 9.0/10)

As the defending champions, the Steelers wisely retained their title-winning core, including captain Jaideep and defender Rahul Sethpal. Their biggest move was adding star raider Naveen Kumar for ₹1.2 crore, creating a truly balanced and potent squad.

Predicted Starting 7: Ashish Narwal, Rahul Sethpal, Jaideep, Manikandan, Naveen Kumar, Vinay, Shivam Patare.

Patna Pirates (Power Ranking: 8.8/10)

The three-time champions have their sights set on a fourth title. With a new head coach, Anup Kumar, and the addition of a seasoned raider like Maninder Singh, the team boasts a disciplined core and the firepower to go all the way.

Predicted Starting 7: Ankit Jaglan, Somveer, Sanket Sawant, Deepak Kumar, Maninder, Ayyan Lochab, Sudhakar.

Puneri Paltan (Power Ranking: 8.5/10)

The Season 10 champions were the top spenders at the auction and have promoted the legendary Ajay Thakur to head coach. They retained a strong core of players and added a consistent raider in Sachin Tanwar for over a crore, making them a well-rounded contender once again.

Predicted Starting 7: Vishal Bhardwaj, Gaurav Khatri, Gurdeep, Abinesh Nadarajan, Aslam Inamdar, Mohit Goyat, Sachin Tanwar.

Tamil Thalaivas (Power Ranking: 8.2/10)

The Tamil Thalaivas have united two of the league's most prolific raiders, Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal. This raiding duo has the potential to overwhelm any defense, but the team's success will ultimately depend on whether their defense can hold up.

Predicted Starting 7: Nitesh Kumar, Sagar Rathi, Ashish, Ronak, Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Narendar.

Bengaluru Bulls (Power Ranking: 7.5/10)

After a tough season, the Bulls are in rebuild mode with a new coach and a reshaped defense. Their defense, led by the expensive Yogesh Dahiya, looks formidable, but their raiding unit is unproven and will be a key question mark for the season.

Predicted Starting 7: Ankush Rathee, Yogesh Dahiya, Manish Dhull, Sanjay Dhull, Akash Shinde, Manjeet Thakur, Dheeraj Nayan.

UP Yoddhas (Power Ranking: 7.2/10)

The UP Yoddhas have a solid, retained core led by their defenders. Their success will depend on whether their raiding unit can be more consistent throughout the season to complement the strong defensive lineup.

Predicted Starting 7: Sumit, Hitesh, Sahul Kumar, Mahendra Singh, Ashu Singh, Surender Gill, Guman Singh.

Bengal Warriorz (Power Ranking: 6.8/10)

The Warriorz have invested heavily in a single star raider, Devank Dalal, who was their most expensive acquisition at over ₹2 crore. The team's fate rests on his ability to deliver on that immense price tag and lead the attack.

Predicted Starting 7: Nitesh Kumar, Harander, Prateek, Mayur Kadam, Devank Dalal, Sushil Kamblekar, Jang Kun Lee.

Jaipur Pink Panthers (Power Ranking: 6.5/10)

The two-time champions have released some core players and will be starting a new chapter. Their defense is anchored by Reza Mirbagheri, but the team's raiding strength, led by young talents, is a major question mark.

Predicted Starting 7: Nitin Rawal, Ronak Chaudhary, Reza Mirbagheri, Mohit, Manjeet Dahiya, Nitin Dhankhar, Uday Kumar Parte.

U Mumba (Power Ranking: 6.0/10)

U Mumba has a stable and experienced defensive core with Sunil and Parvesh Bhainswal. They've also added some new faces to the raiding unit, but they will need a few of them to step up to challenge for a top spot.

Predicted Starting 7: Lokesh Ghosliya, Rinku, Sunil, Parvesh Bhainswal, Ajit Chawhan, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Anil Justa.

Telugu Titans (Power Ranking: 5.5/10)

The Titans have kept most of their players from the last season, hoping that chemistry and continuity will lead to a better result this time. Their success hinges on whether their retained core can finally perform consistently.

I think they can be the dark horses and can go long way.

Predicted Starting 7: Aman Antil, Shubham Shinde, Ajit Pawar, Sagar Rawal, Vijay Malik, Bharat Hooda, Jai Bhagwan.

Rising Stars:  Some New Players to Watch

Keep an eye on these rising stars who are expected to make a significant impact this season:

Dheeraj Nayan (Bengaluru Bulls): A defender known for his effective tackles against top raiders.

Uday Kumar Parte (Jaipur Pink Panthers): A young raider with a variety of skills, scouted during junior nationals.

Mohammad Aman (Puneri Paltan): A defender re-acquired for his strong performance in domestic competitions.

Ali Reza Khalili (Tamil Thalaivas): An Iranian right corner defender known for his versatility and chain tackles.

Anil Justa (U Mumba): The highest-paid new player, this left raider is known for his escape and running hand touch.

The Coaching Carousel

Beyond the players, the coaching carousel has added a fascinating dimension to Season 12. Two-time PKL winning coaches, BC Ramesh and Sanjeev Baliyan, have found new homes with Bengaluru Bulls and Tamil Thalaivas, respectively, bringing a proven winning mentality to their squads. Meanwhile, legendary former players Anup Kumar and Ajay Thakur have stepped into head coaching roles for Patna Pirates and Puneri Paltan, tasked with replicating their on-field success from the sidelines. The impact of these tactical minds will be crucial in a season defined by major format changes and high-stakes tie-breakers.

Personal Picks and Favourites

On paper, Patna and Delhi look like the clear favorites for the season. I'll be silently rooting for Puneri Paltan and Telugu Titans. As a big fan of Mohammadreza Shadloui, I'll be cheering for him but sadly not for Gujarat. 

The stage is set for an epic season of kabaddi. With new rules, new teams, and a fresh perspective, get ready to witness the thrill of PKL 2025!

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I collected some information on this from Mr. Sunil Taneja from his YouTube channel, checkout:

youtube.com/@suniltaneja

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