The grand finale of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 promises a blockbuster as Dabang Delhi K.C. and Puneri Paltan collide at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi. It’s not just a fight for the title — it’s a clash of leadership, legacy, and tactical mastery.
On one side stands Agent Ashu Malik, who began his journey as a rookie champion in PKL 8 and now captains Delhi in pursuit of his first title as leader. On the other, Aslam Inamdar, the composed strategist of Puneri Paltan, aims to script history as the first captain to win multiple PKL titles. Adding to the spectacle, defensive legend Fazel Atrachali — the “Sultan” himself — seeks to become the first defender to cross 600 career tackle points while chasing a record third championship crown.
Road to the Final – Thrillers, Tie-Breakers, and Unfinished Business
Few rivalries in PKL history have been as evenly contested as Delhi vs Pune this season. All three meetings in PKL 12 have gone down to the wire — and all decided through tie-breakers.
- Match #14: Delhi triumphed 28–28 (2–0) in the golden raid – the first in PKL 12 history.
- Match #79: Pune hit back, winning 38–38 (6–5) in a nail-biting finish.
- Qualifier 1: Delhi edged past again, 34–34 (6–4) in a tie-breaker thriller to reach the Final.
That makes it 2–1 in Delhi’s favour this season, though both sides enter the final with equal belief and unmatched intensity.
Overall Head-to-Head:
Matches – 27 | Dabang Delhi – 11 | Puneri Paltan – 13 | Tied – 3
Coaches’ Duel: Joginder Narwal vs Ajay Thakur
Adding spice to the final is a fascinating coaching battle between two former teammates turned rivals. Joginder Narwal (Delhi) and Ajay Thakur (Pune) once lifted the PKL trophy together in Season 8. Now, they aim to join an elite list of champions to win the title as both player and coach.
- Joginder Narwal (Delhi): 42 matches as coach, 27 wins (64% win rate)
- Ajay Thakur (Pune): 20 matches, 14 wins (70% win rate) in his debut coaching season
Both share a common philosophy — disciplined defence and fearless raiding — but only one will walk away with the title.
Agent Ashu Returns to Lead Delhi’s Charge
Ashu Malik has been Delhi’s heart and soul. Despite an injury forcing him out of six matches, the captain remains one of the most efficient raiders in PKL 12.
Ashu Malik in PKL 12:
- Matches: 13
- Raid Points: 150 (11.5 avg)
- Super 10s: 8 (Joint-third most)
- Raid SR: 60%
- Do-or-die Points: 22 at 92% success (2nd-best in league)
He struggled in Qualifier 1 with only 4 raid points but his stellar record against Pune — 78 raid points in 8 matches (3 Super 10s) — could prove decisive.
Captain Aslam Inamdar’s Calm Command
Aslam Inamdar, Puneri Paltan’s young leader, has guided his side with tactical maturity beyond his years. He’s not just a captain — he’s the anchor of a balanced, ruthless unit.
Aslam Inamdar as Captain:
- Matches: 45
- Wins: 31 (69% win rate)
- PKL Titles: 1 (aiming for 2nd)
His personal stats may not be headline-grabbing — 56 raid points and 19 tackles this season — but his leadership has been instrumental in Pune’s consistent dominance.
Sultan Fazel & Delhi’s Defensive Wall
Delhi’s defence, led by Fazel Atrachali and Saurabh Nandal, has been clinical under pressure. Together, they form one of the most formidable corner duos in PKL history.
Delhi Defence in PKL 12:
- Total Tackle Points: 203 (10.7 avg)
- Tackle SR: 44%
Key Defenders:
- Fazel Atrachali – 51 tackle points (54% SR, 4 High 5s)
- Saurabh Nandal – 50 tackle points (59% SR, 3 High 5s)
Fazel, a two-time champion, needs just four more tackles to hit the 600 mark — a record that would underline his dominance in kabaddi’s modern era.
Delhi’s Support Raiders Rising at the Right Time
With Ashu’s injury absence, Delhi’s depth came to the forefront.
Support Raiders in PKL 12:
- Neeraj Narwal – 79 points (40% SR)
- Ajinkya Pawar – 59 points (41% SR)
- Akshit – 48 points (84% SR, 3 Super 10s)
Their versatility ensures Delhi never loses momentum, even when Ashu is neutralized. Akshit’s late-game efficiency — 118% raid SR in final 10 minutes — could be game-changing.
Puneri Paltan – The Best Defence in PKL 12
If Delhi pride themselves on balance, Pune’s identity lies in defence. They’ve averaged 11.9 tackle points per match at 46% success rate, the best in the league.
Top Defenders (PKL 12):
- Gaurav Khatri – 59 tackle points (60% SR, 5 High 5s)
- Gurdeep – 40 tackle points (47% SR)
- Vishal Bhardwaj – 35 tackle points (57% SR)
- Abinesh Nadarajan – 31 tackle points (44% SR)
Khatri’s dominance vs Delhi: 12 tackle points in 3 matches (92% SR). His face-off with Ashu Malik could define the night.
Pune’s Raiding Pair in Red-Hot Form
In Qualifier 2, Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite were unstoppable.
- Aditya Shinde: 21 raid points at 105% SR
- Pankaj Mohite: 10 raid points at 56% SR
They’ve combined for 263 raid points this season and thrive in pressure situations — especially Shinde, who holds a 96% SR in 2–3 defender raids, the best in the league.
What to Expect
This PKL 12 Final is a duel of philosophies — Delhi’s composed all-round game against Pune’s disciplined, high-pressure defence.
Given their history of close encounters, expect another tactical masterclass potentially decided in the final minutes — or even another tie-breaker.
Pune’s defensive efficiency and form make them slight favourites, but Agent Ashu’s hunger for redemption and Fazel’s milestone chase could tilt the narrative.
Either way, fans are in for an unforgettable finale — a battle of minds, muscle, and legacy.
Match Details
- Fixture: Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Puneri Paltan – PKL 12 Final
- Date: Friday, 31st October 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi
- Live: Star Sports Network & Disney+ Hotstar