When Dabang Delhi K.C. clinched its 22nd point on October 16, 2025, the league’s standings shifted dramatically.
That win came in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12Vishakhapatnam, the twelfth edition organized by Mashal Sports. The season kicked off on National Sports Day, August 29, 2025, at the Vishwanadh Sports Club and will travel through Jaipur, Chennai before wrapping in Delhi after a grueling 108‑match league stage.
Season Overview and Schedule
Since the opening ceremony, the PKL has been a roller‑coaster of close finishes and high‑scoring raids. Twelve franchises are battling across four major venues, each match contributing three points for a win, two for a tie (plus a tie‑breaker point), and a single point for a narrow loss. The schedule packs three to four games per week, with weekend double‑headers becoming the norm.
Key dates so far include:
- August 29 – Inaugural clash in Vishakhapatnam.
- September 15 – First tie‑breaker drama between Dabang Delhi and Puneri Paltan.
- October 8 – Telugu Titans record a historic five‑match winning streak.
- October 16 – Dabang Delhi reaches 22 points, cementing the league lead.
Current Points Table and Key Performances
As of October 16, the table looks like this:
| Position | Team | Points | Games | Score Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 22 | 12 | +84 |
| 2 | Puneri Paltan | 20 | 13 | +71 |
| 3 | Telugu Titans | 16 | 13 | +49 |
| 4 | U Mumba | 12 | 13 | 0 |
| 5 | Bengaluru Bulls | 12 | 13 | -3 |
| 6 | Tamil Thalaivas | 12 | 13 | -8 |
The leaders are guided by veteran captains. Ashu Malik commands Dabang Delhi’s defense, while raider Fazel Atrachali provides the scoring punch.
Puneri Paltan rides the momentum of a four‑match winning streak, thanks to captain Aslam Inamdar and head coach Ajay Thakur, a former PKL star turned strategist.
Winning Streaks and Turning Points
The most eye‑catching narrative belongs to the Telugu Titans. Their 46‑29 demolition of defending champions Haryana Steelers on October 8 sparked a five‑game roll that no franchise has ever achieved. It's a first in PKL history, and it pushed them past the 15‑point barrier for the first time.
Meanwhile, the defending champions have hit a rough patch. After their early‑season surge, the Haryana Steelers have now slipped to eighth place, racked up five straight losses, and sit with a -23 score differential.
U Mumba, despite a solid roster, saw their two‑match winning run snapped by Puneri Paltan’s decisive 37‑27 victory on October 8. The match highlighted Inamdar’s precision raids and the tactical nous of Thakur’s bench‑side adjustments.
Impact on Playoff Race
With only 12 matches left in the league stage, the fight for the top six is heating up. Dabang Delhi enjoys a comfortable cushion, but a couple of slip‑ups could see Puneri Paltan close the gap quickly.
Teams like Bengaluru Bulls and Tamil Thalaivas are battling for the final playoff slot. Both sit on 12 points but carry negative score differences, meaning every raid now feels like a must‑win.
Experts say the upcoming Delhi leg, scheduled for early November, will be a litmus test. "The home crowd in Delhi is unforgiving," notes sports analyst Rohit Sharma. "If Dabang Delhi falters, sudden‑death scenarios could unfold for the teams on the bubble."
Looking Ahead: Venues and Future Matches
The league will move next to Jaipur on October 20, then to Chennai for a double‑header on October 27. The final stretch in Delhi, slated for early November, will decide the six playoff berths.
Fans can expect a packed calendar, with tie‑breaker rules still in play. Remember, a tie awards two points, and the team that wins the subsequent tie‑breaker gets an extra point – a nuance that turned the Dabang Delhi‑Puneri Paltan clash on September 15 into a six‑point swing.
Overall, the Pro Kabaddi League continues to deliver drama that rivals any major sport. The blend of traditional kabaddi roots with a franchise‑driven model keeps both purists and new viewers glued to the action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Dabang Delhi's lead affect the playoff picture?
With 22 points, Dabang Delhi sits two wins ahead of the nearest challenger. Even if they drop a couple of games, their cushion means they can still finish in the top two, forcing the fight for the remaining spots to intensify among the mid‑table teams.
What makes Puneri Paltan's recent form stand out?
The Paltan side has combined a disciplined defense under captain Aslam Inamdar with the raiding firepower of Sachin Tanwar. Coach Ajay Thakur’s halftime tweaks have turned close games into decisive wins, evident in their four‑match streak.
Why is the Telugu Titans' five‑game winning streak significant?
It’s the first time any PKL franchise has recorded five consecutive victories. The streak lifted them into third place and gave them a psychological edge over the defending champions, who have now slipped to eighth.
Which teams are most likely to fight for the last playoff spots?
Bengaluru Bulls, Tamil Thalaivas and Jaipur Pink Panthers are all on 12 points but carry negative score differences. Their upcoming matches in Jaipur and Chennai will be pivotal; a single win could catapult any of them into the sixth slot.
When and where will the league conclude?
The season will wrap up with the final league matches in Delhi during the first week of November 2025. Those games will determine the six teams advancing to the knockout stage, after which the playoffs will be hosted in the capital city.
