PKL 12: Best Starting 7 of Pro Kabaddi 2025

These players are performing well in PKL 12.

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) ended, with Dabang Delhi lifting the trophy after defeating the Puneri Paltan in the final on Friday. The season was packed with entertainment, drama, and thrilling contests, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout.

Several players have made their mark on the tournament with exceptional performances in both raiding and defence. Teams showed faith in them during the auction, investing heavily in some, and those players proved their mettle with standout displays.

Over the course of the tournament, we witnessed remarkable individual brilliance. On that note, let’s take a look at the best starting 7 of the PKL 12 who made a lasting impact this season.

7. Fazel Atrachali – Left corner (Dabang Delhi)

Showing the world that he might be old but far from finished, Fazel Atrachali has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Season.

He played a key role in Dabang Delhi’s championship triumph, scoring 52 tackle points and finishing as their best defender. His most crucial moment came in the final, where he tackled Aditya Shinde in the dying seconds to seal the victory for Delhi.

Throughout the season, Fazel also stepped up as a raider in critical moments, contributing valuable points during tiebreakers.

6. Navdeep – Right corner (Patna Pirates)

The Defender of the Season award goes to another rising star from the Patna Pirates, Navdeep. In just his second PKL season, he made a massive impact, recording 73 tackle points in 21 games. He played a crucial role in the Pirates’ dream run this year, anchoring their defence with consistency and composure.

Remarkably, he became the first player in PKL history to register four consecutive High 5s in the knockouts. Over the course of the campaign, he notched up six High 5s and eight Super Tackles, proving himself to be one of the most reliable defenders in the league.

5. Jaideep Dahiya – Left cover (Haryana Steelers)

Jaideep Dahiya led the Haryana Steelers’ defence by example by scoring 68 points. While the winners of season 11 could not even make it past the play-in stage of the playoffs following a fifth-place finish in the league stage, Jaideep’s performances gave the fans something to cheer about.

4. Sunil Kumar – Right cover (U Mumba)

Sunil Kumar, the veteran defender, scored 52 points for U Mumba in season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League. Despite his leadership qualities, the outfit could not go beyond the play-in stage of the playoffs, losing to Patna Pirates.

3. Bharat Hooda – Left in (Telugu Titans)

When Telugu Titans bought Bharat Hooda for ₹81 lakhs in the PKL 12 auction, many fans questioned the decision. But Bharat proved everyone wrong with his brilliant performances throughout the season. He scored 230 raid points and added 17 tackle points, showing his all-round ability.

His efforts led the Titans to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, giving their fans renewed hope. Although their journey ended in Qualifier 2 against Puneri Paltan, Bharat emerged as the Titans’ biggest star and hero this season.

2. Ayan Lohchab – Right in (Patna Pirates)

Ayan Lohchab had a dream run this season, scoring 316 raid points in just 22 games, earning him the title of Best Raider of the Season. He played a crucial role in Patna Pirates’ remarkable turnaround, from struggling at the bottom of the table to qualifying for the playoffs.

In only his second season, Ayan crossed the 300 raid points milestone, joining the elite club of legendary raiders like Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Sehrawat. He also registered 16 Super 10s and 9 Super Raids during the campaign, cementing his place as one of the brightest young stars in PKL history.

1. Devank Dalal – Center (Bengal Warriorz)

Last season’s Raider of the Tournament, Devank Dalal, was picked up by the Bengal Warriorz for a massive ₹2.205 crore in the PKL 12 auction, and the franchise handed him the captaincy as well. Devank lived up to the expectations, continuing his stellar form by scoring 271 raid points in just 16 games, with an impressive average of almost 17 raid points per match.

He looked unstoppable throughout the season. Unfortunately, due to a lack of support, he failed to lead the Bengal to the playoffs.

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