When Dabang Delhi KC fell to Bengal Warriorz on October 9, 2025, the Kabaddi world took a collective breath. The match, part of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12), unfolded at the indoor stadium in Pune and ended with Bengal Warriorz clawing a 12‑point raid lead from captain Devank Dalal. While Dabang Delhi’s unbeaten run stumbled, the league’s points table barely shifted – the Delhi side still clings to the top with 22 points.
Standings Shuffle After Match 74
After the double‑header, the updated PKL 12 ladder looks like a chessboard with many pieces poised for a checkmate. Dabang Delhi KC (coach Joginder Narwal, captain Ashu Malik) remains first. Puneri Paltan, coached by former Indian captain Ajay Thakur, slides into second with 20 points, while Telugu Titans (coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, captain Vijay Malik) hold third at 16 points.
U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, and Tamil Thalaivas are dead‑locked at 12 points each, creating a three‑way tie for fourth through sixth. Jaipur Pink Panthers and defending champions Haryana Steelers share seventh and eighth, also with 12 points. Gujarat Giants, thanks to a 20‑raid point night from Rakesh Kumar, creep into ninth. Bengal Warriorz, buoyed by Dalal’s 12 raid points and a nine‑tackle combo from Manjeet and Ashish, leap to tenth. UP Yoddhas sit at eleventh and Patna Pirates at the bottom.
Match‑by‑Match Recap
The day began with Dabang Delhi’s star‑studded lineup under pressure. Dalal’s raid was crisp – every scuffle on the mat echoed his intent. Yet Manjeet and Ashish’s nine combined tackle points for Bengal Warriorz turned the tide in the second half. "We stuck to our defensive plan and trusted the bench players to hold the line," Dalal said in the post‑match interview.
In the second clash, Gujarat Giants faced a resilient UP Yoddhas squad. Rakesh Kumar’s 20 raid points were a masterclass in timing and footwork. Guman Singh, the Yoddhas’ top raider, managed 14 points but couldn’t overturn the deficit. "We knew we had to dominate the centre line, and Rakesh delivered exactly that," said Gujarat coach Jaivir Sharma.
Why This Shift Matters
For fans, the upset underscores PKL 12’s volatility. A single raid can flip a season’s narrative, and injuries have already begun to shape line‑ups. Dabang Delhi’s loss raises questions about their defensive depth – they conceded 18 points, the most they have allowed in a single match this season.
Meanwhile, Bengal Warriorz’s climb to tenth spot is more than a numbers game. It signals a potential power shift in the western zone, where they now sit above traditionally strong teams like Puneri Paltan. If they sustain this momentum, a playoff berth is within reach.
Off‑Court Highlights – Auctions, Ownership, and Legacy
The season’s auction, managed by league organizer Mashal Sports, saw a record‑high bid for Gujarat’s marquee signing: Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh at Rs 2.23 crore. Bengal Warriorz’s captain Dalal fetched Rs 2.205 crore, making him the second‑most expensive purchase.
Notably, veteran raider Pardeep Narwal remained unsold, joining roughly 100 other players – a stark reminder that even legends must adapt. Haryana Steelers, owned by JSW Sports (part of the JSW Group), entered as defending champions after their maiden title in PKL 11. Their current seventh‑eighth tie reflects a league that refuses to settle.
Looking Ahead – What’s Next for PKL 12?
Tomorrow, October 10, 2025, the spotlight shifts to Match 76: Bengal Warriorz versus U Mumba at 21:00 UTC. Both teams will be desperate for points; a win could catapult Bengal into the coveted top‑six, while U Mumba hopes to break its four‑match winless streak.
Beyond the immediate fixtures, the playoff picture is already taking shape. With only four weeks left in the regular season, teams separated by a single point will be fighting for every raid. Analysts say squad rotation and injury management will be the deciding factors – a lesson reinforced by Dabang Delhi’s recent loss.
Expert Take – The Strategic Angle
Former Indian captain and Kabaddi analyst Sunil Kumar notes, "Season 12 has introduced more aggressive raiding patterns. Coaches are betting on high‑risk, high‑reward tactics, which is why we see surprise upsets like Delhi’s loss today." He adds that defensive specialists like Manjeet and Ashish are becoming the new currency in player drafts.
Statistically, the average raid success rate this season sits at 55 %, up from 51 % in PKL 11. Meanwhile, tackle efficiency has improved to 48 %, indicating tighter defensive play across the board.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Bengal Warriorz’s win affect their playoff chances?
The victory lifts Bengal Warriorz to tenth place with 10 points, narrowing the gap to the sixth‑place threshold to just four points. Should they keep winning their remaining ten matches, a top‑six finish – and thus a playoff spot – becomes realistic.
What does Dabang Delhi KC need to do to stay on top?
They must tighten their defence, which gave up 18 points against Bengal. Coach Joginder Narwal is likely to rotate defenders and perhaps bring in a fresh raider from the bench to restore balance.
Who are the top earners from the PKL 12 auction?
Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh fetched the highest bid at Rs 2.23 crore for Gujarat Giants, followed closely by Bengal Warriorz’s captain Devank Dalal at Rs 2.205 crore. Both players are expected to be key contributors this season.
Why did veteran Pardeep Narwal go unsold?
Teams prioritized younger, more agile raiders this year, believing they could adapt to the faster pace of PKL 12. Narwal’s recent injury concerns also made franchises hesitant to invest heavily.
When is the next big clash in the league?
Match 76 on October 10, 2025, pits Bengal Warriorz against U Mumba at 21:00 UTC. It’s a critical fixture for both sides, as a win could dramatically shift the mid‑table scramble for playoff spots.
