PKL 12: List of players released, retained by Dabang Delhi ahead of auction

Dabang Delhi finished second in the last season.

Ahead of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12), Dabang Delhi have shocked fans and analysts alike with a bold and unconventional strategy. Unlike most franchises that have held on to their core, Delhi have chosen to almost completely dismantle their squad, retaining only two New Young Players (NYPs) and releasing nearly all senior and experienced players.

This unexpected move suggests a complete rebuild and a high-stakes gamble going into the auction. On that note, let’s take a look at the list of players released and retained by Delhi ahead of the PKL 12 auction.

Also Read: PKL 12: List of players released, retained by U Mumba ahead of auction

List of retained players:

Retained Existing Young Players: Mohit Deshwal, Sandeep Deshwal

By retaining just two NYPs, Dabang Delhi have given themselves maximum flexibility, a strategy that could either pay off massively or leave them struggling for chemistry in the upcoming season.

Mohit and Sandeep showed promise in their limited outings, and the management sees potential in building a new core around such young talent.

List of released players:

Naveen Kumar, Ashu Malik, Yogesh Dahiya, Aniket Mane, Manu, Vinay, Vikrant, Rahul, Rinku Narwal, Brijendra Singh, Nitin Panwar, Gaurav Chillar, Ashish Narwal, Mohammad Baba, Ashish Malik, Sandeep, Monu Sharma, Parveen, Himanshu, and Md Mijanur.

Delhi’s released list includes nearly their entire core, raising eyebrows across the Kabaddi community. The most high-profile name on the list is Naveen Kumar, fondly known as the “Naveen Express”. The dynamic raider has been the face of the franchise for multiple seasons, consistently delivering top performances and leading the team to the playoffs in the past.

Surprisingly, the team has also released Ashu Malik, who had led the raiding department brilliantly in Naveen’s absence in the last few seasons and emerged as a reliable scorer. Another notable exit is Yogesh Dahiya, a fearless young corner defender who impressed with his aggressive style and consistency in defense.

What’s next for Delhi?

The decision to release so many players appears to be a calculated move to reset the squad and aggressively participate in the Season 12 auction. With ample funds available at the auction, the Dabang Delhi team will likely look to bring back some of their key stars like Naveen and Ashu by using the Final Bid Match (FBM) card, if applicable.

This strategy gives them a clean slate to build a team from the ground up with the latest talent pool, and possibly form a younger, faster, and tactically sharper squad under new guidance. Whether this approach pays off or backfires remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Delhi when the auction begins.

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