List of all captains to win PKL title

Eleven different captains have lifted the PKL title.

There is a saying in sports that “A team is as strong as its players”. This is largely true. However, a side’s success is also largely dependent on the contributions of the management. Often, teams with less prominent names and new players thrive due to shrewd leadership. On the other hand, teams with multiple star players have failed due to their inability to function as a unit.

There have been many captains in the Pro Kabaddi League who have carried forward their legacy. These leaders have used their resources wisely, taking out the right cards at the right time. They have managed to unite the team and keep the players physically and mentally fresh. Many of them have led from the front and have been top scorers for their respective teams as raiders and defenders.

In the eleven seasons of the competition, eight teams have lifted the title at least once, with one of them having emerged victorious thrice. Interestingly, though, no captain has tasted success more than once. On that note, let’s have a look at all eleven captains who have won the PKL title.

Season 1: Navneet Gautam (Jaipur Pink Panthers)

The Jaipur Pink Panthers lifted the inaugural Pro Kabaddi League title in 2014, under the leadership of Navneet Gautam. They finished at the top of the table, before eventually defeating U Mumba 35-24 in the final.

The left corner, Navneet, had a poor season personally. He scored just 17 tackle points in 16 matches while his tackle strike rate was 32% (a top 5).

Season 2: Anup Kumar (U Mumba)

“Captain Cool” Anup Kumar, ensured he didn’t miss out on winning the trophy for the second consecutive season. Under his leadership, U Mumba topped the league table, and then they defeated the Bengaluru Bulls 36-30 in the final.

The team also had the highest number of tackle points. The former Indian national captain finished as the fourth-best raider in the season with 74 raid points in 14 matches at a rate of 30.32% (one Super 10).

Season 3: Manpreet Singh (Patna Pirates)

Veteran Manpreet Singh defied age to lead the Patna Pirates to their first title. They were placed second on the table, at the end of the league stage, and denied U Mumba a second straight title, edging past them by a margin of 31-28 in the summit clash. While the franchise had the highest number of raid points, the skipper had below-par stats with 29 raid points in 13 matches, at a success rate of 22.42%.

Season 4: Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Patna Pirates)

The Patna Pirates went up a rung in the charts before defending their title, beating the Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-29 in the final.

The side had the highest number of tackle points, and skipper Dharmaraj Cheralathan was at the forefront. The corner defender scored 39 tackle points in 14 matches at a rate of 49%, including four High 5s. His total of eight super tackles was also the highest in the edition.

Season 5: Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates)

Pardeep Narwal took charge as the Patna Pirates skipper in PKL 5. He led from the front as the team won their third straight title. They finished second in the Group Zone B table and eventually defeated Gujarat Giants 55-38 in the final encounter.

It wasn’t a surprise that they had the highest number of team raid points, as Pardeep, who recently retired as the most prolific raider in the league’s history, finished as the best raider in the edition, racking up 369 raid points in 26 matches at 62.96%, with 19 super 10s.

Season 6: Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru Bulls)

The Bengaluru Bulls, led by Rohit Kumar, ended the Pirates’ streak. Under Rohit’s leadership, the Bulls finished first in the Group Zone B table, and then they defeated the Gujarat Giants 38–33 in the final to clinch the title.

Bengaluru also had the highest number of team raid points. Rohit contributed handsomely, scoring 162 raid points in 24 matches at a strike rate of 47.5% (five Super 10s).

Season 7: Maninder Singh (Bengal Warriorz)

It was Maninder Singh‘s side that emerged victorious in the seventh season of the league. Bengal Warriorz finished second in the league table, before overcoming Dabang Delhi 39-34 in the final.

Their star raider, who was sidelined due to an injury in the final, nevertheless had a big season as he accumulated 205 raid points in 20 matches at a success rate of 64.46%, with ten super 10s.

Season 8: Joginder Narwal (Dabang Delhi)

Veteran Joginder Narwal led Dabang Delhi to their maiden title in the eighth edition. The side finished second on the table and eventually held their nerve to defeat the Patna Pirates 37-36 in the summit clash. However, the left corner had an average campaign, scoring 32 tackle points in 19 matches at a rate of 37%.

Season 9: Sunil Kumar (Jaipur Pink Panthers)

Sunil Kumar, who currently holds the record for the most number of wins in PKL as a skipper, ended the Jaipur Pink Panthers’ wait for a second trophy. They defeated Puneri Paltan 33–29 in the final to clinch the title.

Right cover and captain Sunil made a huge contribution to the team, scoring the most tackle points for the team, being the fourth best defender with 64 tackle points at a strike rate of 58%, including four High 5s.

Season 10: Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan)

The Puneri Paltan earned their redemption in the very next edition, as they set the competition on fire, first ending at the top of the league table with 96 points and then later edging past the Haryana Steelers (28-25) in the final. They also had the highest number of tackle points.

Captain Aslam Inamdar contributed in both departments, with 142 raid points (at 41.39%, three super 10s) and 26 tackle points (at 48%, one high 5).

Season 11: Jaideep Dahiya (Haryana Steelers)

Under Jaideep Dahiya’s leadership, the Haryana Steelers became the first of the four new teams to lift the PKL trophy, overcoming their disappointment from the previous season. A top-of-the-table finish was followed by a comprehensive 32-23 victory against the Patna Pirates in the summit clash.

Their skipper, who was the left cover, played a key role in making the defensive unit the best in the tournament, as he had a tally of 39 tackle points in 21 matches at a strike rate of 42%, with one high 5.

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