The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is about to witness one of its most intriguing storylines as Narender Redhu’s Jaipur Pink Panthers square off against Dhaakad Devank’s Bengal Warriorz at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur. Scheduled for Thursday, September 18, this clash not only holds importance for the points table but also carries the emotional undertone of a guru vs shishya battle.
The Narender Redhu–Devank Connection
Narender Redhu, known for his tactical sharpness and defensive discipline, guided Patna Pirates to the playoffs in Season 10 and to the finals in Season 11. It was under his mentorship that Devank blossomed into one of the league’s brightest stars.
Devank’s record-breaking PKL 11 campaign cemented his place among the elite. He was the league’s top raider with over 300 raid points, most Super 10s, and even a jaw-dropping 25-point game against Tamil Thalaivas. For the first time, Redhu and Devank will stand on opposite sides, making this duel both strategic and personal.
Nitin Kumar vs Devank – The Star Raiders to Watch
The spotlight will inevitably fall on the two lead raiders. Nitin Kumar, Jaipur’s talisman, has carried the team on his shoulders, while Devank, Bengal’s captain, has been unstoppable with six straight Super 10s.
Interestingly, both players are facing their former franchises — Devank began his career with Jaipur, while Nitin once turned out for Bengal. Together, they contribute more than 60% of their respective teams’ raid points.
Devank, currently the league leader in average raid points, needs just one raid point to become the fastest player to 400 raid points in PKL history (38 matches). Nitin, on the other hand, has delivered under pressure with four Super 10s already this season. Their head-to-head battle could decide the outcome.
Jaipur’s Season So Far – Strong Raiding, Fragile Defence
The Pink Panthers have been inconsistent with three wins and three defeats. While Nitin’s brilliance — including a golden raid against Gujarat Giants — has kept them competitive, the defence has been their Achilles’ heel.
If the defence doesn’t provide balance, Jaipur might again struggle despite having one of the top raiding units.
Bengal Warriorz – Searching for Consistency
Bengal Warriorz began with a strong win over Haryana but slipped into a four-match losing streak before bouncing back against UP Yoddhas. Devank has been their only consistent scorer, but against UP, the defence finally showed signs of life with 13 tackle points, including a High 5 from Ashish.
If corners Nitesh Kumar and Ashish repeat that form, Bengal could finally offer Devank the platform he needs to finish games strongly.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 20
- Jaipur Wins: 9
- Bengal Wins: 10
- Tied: 1
Key Player Battles
- Nitin Kumar vs Ashish/Nitesh Kumar – Jaipur’s ace raider will test Bengal’s corners.
- Devank vs Nitin Rawal/Reza Mirbagheri – Jaipur’s struggling defence faces their toughest test yet.
Match Details
- Match: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Bengal Warriorz, Match 39 – PKL Season 12
- Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur