PKL 12: Top five best players of Jaipur Pink Panthers in Pro Kabaddi 2025

Jaipur Pink Panthers decided to do a complete overhaul in PKL 12.

Inaugural Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) champions Jaipur Pink Panthers are one side who have set a very high standard for themselves in the tournament. They had an average outing last time around, huffing and puffing to sixth place on the table.

They had a total of 70 points, playing out twelve wins, eight losses and two ties. However, Jaipur Pink Panthers were drubbed 18-46 by the UP Yoddhas in the Eliminator.

The two-time champions have made changes right from the top, replacing the experienced Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan with Narender Redhu, who led the Patna Pirates to the final in the previous edition. They then opted for a revamp of the squad.

They retained just six players and, with a massive purse of Rs. 3.30 Cr available, purchased thirteen players. The Panthers took a number of interesting calls in the auction, including not using the Final Bid Match (FBM) Card to get stars Arjun Deshwal and Ankush Rathee back in their ranks. A team which has always shown its faith in youngsters, they have stuck by their philosophy this time too.

Also Read: PKL 12: Jaipur Pink Panthers full squad list ft. Nitin Rawal

On that note, let us now have a look at the top five players in the squad, whom you should keep an eye on in PKL 12.

5- Uday Parte

This is a call made by the Jaipur Pink Panthers, which has raised many eyebrows. They have spent a whopping sum of Rs. 50.1 lakhs on raider Uday Parte, who is yet to make his debut in the league.

His returns for the Chambal Challengers in the Yuva Kabaddi Series weren’t great either, as he mustered just 31 raid points in 11 games at a strike rate of 31.95%. However, the team is known for its scouting prowess. Considering the intense bidding which took place for Uday, he will be a name to watch out for in PKL 12.

4- Manjeet Dahiya

In six seasons in the league, Manjeet Dahiya has proven to be a consistent raider. He has accumulated 730 raid points in 131 matches at a raid success rate of 47.55%, including nineteen super 10s. He also has 80 tackle points to his name. While he is not fast, the 28-year-old from Sonipat has used his height to good effect.

Playing as the lead raider for U Mumba in the previous edition, his form fluctuated, as he scored just 97 raid points in 23 outings. Nevertheless, the inaugural champions would feel happy that they purchased him at a price of Rs. 40 lakhs. As the second raider in the side, Manjeet can play with much less pressure in PKL 12.

3- Reza Mirbagheri

Iranian Reza Mirbagheri is the only retained name in this list. The left cover has been part of the Panthers’ outfit for three seasons and has a tally of 154 tackle points after 61 fixtures at a tackle strike rate of 49% (six high 5s), along with 18 raid points, 14 of which came in PKL 11.

The aggressive left cover had a key role in Jaipur’s title triumph in the ninth instalment of the competition. The strong 22-year-old lad was the best left cover in the previous edition, racking up 58 tackle points in 23 games (two high 5s). With the right side of the defence looking slightly weak, there will be additional pressure on Reza to perform in the upcoming edition.

Also Read: PKL 12: Top five best players of Patna Pirates in Pro Kabaddi 2025

2- Nitin Dhankar

After two stunning seasons with the Bengal Warriorz, the Jaipur Pink Panthers have splurged Rs. 1.002 Cr to sign Nitin Dhankar. On his PKL debut two years ago, the raider amassed 169 raid points in 20 games at a rate of 54.87% with eight super 10s.

The 24-year-old from Jhajjar finished seventh on the list of most tackle points, despite playing second fiddle to Maninder Singh. In the veteran’s absence, he stepped up as the lead raider in PKL 11, scoring 118 raid points in 14 outings at a rate of 45.55% with six super 10s, before being ruled out due to an injury. At his new team, he will have to fill the huge void left by Arjun Deshwal.

1- Nitin Rawal

Nitin Rawal returns to a side where he had played his first four seasons, starting with the fifth edition. He has been a prolific all-rounder with 167 tackle points (at 44%, eight high 5s) and 144 (at 34.04%, two super 10s) after 103 matches.

The Indian international missed the tenth edition due to an injury but made a stunning comeback in the next one. Despite lacking support, he finished fifth on the list of most tackle points, with 74 tackle points in 22 fixtures (five high 5s). The 27-year-old from Panipat is likely to be the captain for the Jaipur Pink Panthers and will also have the huge task of seamlessly replacing Ankush Rathee.

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