PKL 2025 is Here: Your Ultimate Guide to the New Season
(source: ProKabaddi Facebook)
The complete Pro Kabaddi player list for the 2025 season is officially locked in, Champs. After a dramatic auction, we can finally break down the full squads for all 12 teams. This is your ultimate guide to every raider, defender, and all-rounder, including the captains who will be leading the charge. This is where the strategies we’ve talked about come to life.
Alright Champs, the auction floor has gone silent, but the roar of the crowd is just around the corner. The battle lines for the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 season are officially drawn, and if you thought the auction was dramatic, you haven’t seen anything yet.
This isn’t just another season; it’s a completely new game, reshaped by blockbuster bids, shocking player transfers, and bold new strategies. As your guide from wickets to wins, I’m here to break down every team, every star, and every angle. Let’s get Reddy for the action.
What to Expect After the PKL 2025 Auction
This year’s auction wasn’t just about filling rosters; it was a strategic earthquake. We saw record-breaking prices for powerhouse raiders and teams spending fortunes to build impenetrable defensive walls.
The power dynamics of the league have been completely shuffled. Old alliances are gone, and new “super-teams” have emerged on paper. But as we all know, games aren’t won on paper.
The biggest question is: will those expensive price tags translate into match-winning performances on the mat?
A Fresh Battlefield: New Rivalries and Team Dynamics
Get ready for some spicy matchups. Imagine a star raider, the former hero of his city, now leading an attack against his old teammates. These are the personal battles and new rivalries that will define the season.
The battlefield is fresh, with some teams going all-in on an aggressive, raid-heavy strategy, while others have built a patient, tactical fortress. Your complete guide to every squad, captain, and key player starts right here. It’s time to analyze the board before the first whistle blows.
Think before you swing.
Official Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 Teams List
Before diving into the player stats and auction strategies, let’s start with the fundamentals: the 12 franchises that will battle for the PKL 2025 trophy. These teams represent cities and states from across the nation, each bringing a unique identity to the league. Here are the official teams competing this season.
All 12 Competing Franchises (Logos and Names)
Read more: Pro Kabaddi League in India: Teams, Schedule & Match Live Info
Complete Pro Kabaddi 2025 Player List & Captains by Team
The auctions are done, the strategies are set, and the final squads are locked in. This is where seasons are won and lost. Below is the complete player list for all 12 franchises for the Pro Kabaddi 2025 season, including the appointed captains who will lead their teams onto the mat.
Bengal Warriors: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The undisputed leader, Maninder Singh, will once again wear the captain’s armband, ready to lead the charge with his powerful raids.
Raiders: Maninder Singh, Shrikant Jadhav, Vishwas S, Suyog Gaikar, R Guhan, Parshant Kumar, Aslam Thambi, Maharudra Garje
Defenders: Shubham Shinde, Jaskirat Singh, Vaibhav Garje, Harsh Lad, Aditya S. Shinde, Dipak Arjun Shinde
All-Rounders: Nitin Kumar, Akshay Kumar
Bengaluru Bulls: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The cornerstone of their defense, Saurabh Nandal, steps up to lead the Bulls, bringing his tactical mind to the captaincy.
Raiders: Vikash Kandola, Bharat, Neeraj Narwal, Monu, Abhishek Singh, Sushil, Banty, Piotr Pamulak
Defenders: Saurabh Nandal, Aman, Surjeet Singh, Vishal, Ankit, Parteek, Sunder, Rakshith, Ponparthiban Subramanian
All-Rounders: Ran Singh, Sachin Narwal
Dabang Delhi K.C.: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The “Naveen Express,” Naveen Kumar, will not only be the lead raider but also the captain, aiming to inspire his team with his explosive talent.
Raiders: Naveen Kumar, Ashu Malik, Manjeet, Meetu, Ashish Narwal, Suraj Panwar
Defenders: Vishal Bhardwaj, Sunil, Balasaheb Jadhav, Nitin Chandel, Vijay, Himmat Antil, Ashish, Yogesh
All-Rounders: Akash Prasher
Gujarat Giants: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: Iranian legend Fazel Atrachali takes the helm for the Giants, bringing immense experience and world-class defensive skills to his leadership role.
Raiders: Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh, More G B, Sonu, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, Sombir
Defenders: Fazel Atrachali, Sumanth, Sourav Gulia, Manuj, Deepak Rajender Singh, Nitesh
All-Rounders: Rohan Singh, Arkam Shaikh, Jitender Yadav
Haryana Steelers: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The dynamic raiding duo sees Jaideep Dahiya and Mohit Nandal sharing leadership duties as joint captains for the Steelers this season.
Raiders: Siddharth Desai, Vinay, Chandran Ranjit, K. Prapanjan, Shivam Patare, Vishal Tate, Ghanshyam Magar
Defenders: Jaideep Dahiya, Mohit Nandal, Rahul Sethpal, Hardeep, Himanshu Chaudhary, Ravindra Chouhan, Monu Hooda
All-Rounders: Ashish, Naveen Satnarain
Jaipur Pink Panthers: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: Veteran defender and master tactician Sunil Kumar will continue to lead the Panthers, aiming to steer the defending champions to another title.
Raiders: Arjun Deshwal, Ajith Kumar V, Bhavani Rajput, Navneet, Rahul Chaudhari, Shashank B, Amir Hossein Mohammadmaleki
Defenders: Sunil Kumar, Sahul Kumar, Reza Mirbagheri, Ankush, Abhishek KS, Ashish, Devank, Lucky Sharma
All-Rounders: Sumit
Patna Pirates: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: Star raider Sachin Tanwar has been entrusted with the captaincy, tasked with leading the league’s most successful franchise back to glory.
Raiders: Sachin, Manjeet, Sudhakar M, Ranjit Naik, Anuj Kumar, Zheng-Wei Chen, Rakesh Narwal
Defenders: Neeraj Kumar, Krishan Dhull, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj, Manish, Naveen Sharma, Abinand Subhash
All-Rounders: Sanjay, Daniel Odhiambo, Rohit, Ankit
Puneri Paltan: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The young and supremely talented Aslam Inamdar will lead the Paltan, with his all-round abilities making him a natural on-field commander.
Raiders: Mohit Goyat, Pankaj Mohite, Akash Shinde, Aditya Shinde
Defenders: Sanket Sawant, Gaurav Khatri, Abinesh Nadarajan, Badal Singh, Vaibhav Kamble
All-Rounders: Aslam Inamdar, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Vahid Rezaeimehr, Ahmed Enamdar
Tamil Thalaivas: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: Defensive rock Sagar Rathee is the captain of the Thalaivas, bringing stability and a sharp defensive mind to the team’s leadership.
Raiders: Ajinkya Pawar, Narender, Himanshu, Jatin, Himanshu Singh, Selvamani K
Defenders: Sagar, Sahil Gulia, M. Abishek, Mohit, Himanshu, Ashish, Aashish, Ronak, Amirhossein Bastami
All-Rounders: Ritik, Masanamuthu Lakshnanan
Telugu Titans: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The “High-Flyer” Pawan Sehrawat will lead the Titans, carrying the weight of expectation as both the league’s most expensive player and team captain.
Raiders: Pawan Sehrawat, Rajnish, Vinay, Robin Chaudhary, Praful Zaware
Defenders: Parvesh Bhainswal, Sandeep Dhull, Milad Jabbari, Nitin, Ankit, Mohit, Gaurav Dahiya
All-Rounders: Shankar Gadai, Hamid Nader, Omkar Patil, Sanjeevi S
Read more: Pro Kabaddi 2025 Start Date & Full Schedule for Season 12
U Mumba: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The experienced and reliable defender Surinder Singh takes charge of U Mumba, tasked with marshalling their defense and guiding the team.
Raiders: Guman Singh, Jai Bhagwan, Heidarali Ekrami, Pranay Rane, Rupesh, Sachin
Defenders: Surinder Singh, Rinku, Girish Maruti Ernak, Mahender Singh, Shivansh Thakur, Shivam
All-Rounders: Visvanath V, Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, Alireza Mirzaeian
UP Yoddhas: Player Squad and Captain
Captain: The “Record-Breaker” Pardeep Narwal will lead the Yoddhas from the front, with his raiding prowess setting the standard for the entire squad.
Raiders: Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Vijay Malik, Anil Kumar, Mahipal, Gulveer Singh
Defenders: Nitesh Kumar, Sumit, Ashu Singh, Harendra Kumar, Hitesh
All-Rounders: Gurdeep, Nitin Panwar, Helvic Wanjala
Read more: Kabaddi Online Games: Best Free Games to Play & Pro Tips
The Game Changers: Top 5 Raiders to Watch in PKL 2025
These are the men who can alter the course of a game in 30 seconds. While a deep pro kabaddi player list is crucial for a long season, these superstars are the league’s biggest draws. Their electrifying raids and signature moves often overshadow the tactical depth of their team’s full pro kabaddi player list. Keep a close eye on these five this season.
Pawan “High-Flyer” Sehrawat: The Powerhouse Raider
There is no athlete in the Pro Kabaddi League more explosive than Pawan Sehrawat. Combining brute strength with breathtaking acrobatic skill, his “High-Flyer” nickname is well-earned. As the league’s most expensive player and captain of the Telugu Titans, the pressure on his shoulders is immense. The big question for 2025: can he not only dominate the scoring charts but also lift his entire team to championship contention? Every raid will be a spectacle.
Arjun Deshwal: The Reigning MVP’s Quest for More
If Pawan is thunder, Arjun is lightning. The reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) is the definition of efficiency and surgical precision. He doesn’t always go for the spectacular, but he almost always comes back with points. His calm demeanor and flawless technique make him a nightmare for defenders. Now, the challenge is greater. As the MVP, every team will have a specific strategy to stop him. His quest is to prove that his peak is not just a season, but an era.
Pardeep “Record-Breaker” Narwal: Can He Reclaim the Throne?
The legend. The G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). Pardeep Narwal’s name is all over the PKL record books. His signature “Dubki” is arguably the most famous move in modern Kabaddi. However, recent seasons have seen flashes of brilliance mixed with periods of inconsistency. The narrative for Pardeep in 2025 is all about his legacy. Can the record-breaker silence the critics, find his unstoppable rhythm, and reclaim his throne as the undisputed king of raiding?
Naveen “Express” Kumar: The Speed and Agility Factor
Speed kills, and Naveen Kumar is the fastest man on the mat. Watching the “Naveen Express” in full flow is like watching a blur; his lightning-fast hand touches and escapes are nearly impossible to defend against when he’s at his best. His only true opponent has been his own body, with injuries hampering him in the past. If Naveen can maintain his fitness throughout the long season, he has the raw talent to outscore everyone. His story is one of high-risk, high-reward, and pure, unadulterated speed.
[Emerging Star/New Sensation]: The Dark Horse Raider of the Season
Every season, a new star is born. While the legends dominate the headlines, I’m telling you to watch the second or third raider on teams like Puneri Paltan or Dabang Delhi. Last season, players like Ashu Malik stepped up brilliantly when given the chance. This year’s dark horse will be a young, fearless player who isn’t afraid to take risks. He’ll be quick, unpredictable, and hungry to make a name for himself. Spotting this player early is the smartest move you can make. Who’s your pick?
Reddy G’s Analysis: Smart Money on Team Strategies
Analyzing the complete pro kabaddi player list for 2025 reveals the true strategy behind each team. Team building is an art, and a close look at the official pro kabaddi player list shows which franchises are aiming for an all-out assault and which are building a defensive fortress. Others construct their defense brick by brick, daring opponents to break them down. Here’s my breakdown of the league’s key strategic identities for PKL 2025.
Offensive Powerhouses: Teams with the Strongest Raiding Units
These are the teams built on one simple principle: attack, attack, attack. They aim to outscore their opponents in high-octane shootouts.
- Jaipur Pink Panthers: When you have the reigning MVP, Arjun Deshwal, you are automatically a top offensive unit. He is the anchor, but with the veteran presence of Rahul Chaudhari and the energetic Ajith Kumar, they have depth. They can sustain pressure from multiple angles, making them incredibly difficult to plan against.
- UP Yoddhas: The strategy here is a two-headed monster. With both Pardeep “Record-Breaker” Narwal and the incredibly effective Surender Gill, the Yoddhas can unleash elite raiders from both sides of the mat. If one has an off night, the other can carry the team. This relentless, dual-pronged attack can wear down even the best defenses.
Defensive Walls: Franchises with Fortress-Like Defenses
These teams win matches not with flashy 5-point raids, but with bone-crunching tackles and patient, suffocating defense. They control the pace and frustrate their opponents into making mistakes.
- Puneri Paltan: This team is a masterclass in defensive structure. Led by the world’s best all-rounder, Mohammadreza Shadloui (who is a defensive force of nature), and supported by disciplined defenders like Sanket Sawant and Abinesh Nadarajan, they function as a single, cohesive unit. They don’t just stop raiders; they demoralize them.
- Gujarat Giants: When you are captained by the legendary Fazel Atrachali, defense is not just a strategy; it’s your identity. The “Sultan” organizes his backline with unmatched intelligence. Supported by solid corners, the Giants are built to win low-scoring, tactical battles. Raiding against them is a true test of skill and nerve.
My Pick for a Dark Horse: The Underdog Team to Watch
Every season has a surprise package. A team that nobody talks about in the pre-season, but nobody wants to face in the playoffs. My pick for the team that could shatter expectations is the Haryana Steelers.
Here’s why: They have the perfect dark horse formula. First, a rock-solid, proven defensive core in their captains, Jaideep Dahiya and Mohit Nandal. This foundation means they will always be in the game. Second, they have a genuine X-factor in raider Siddharth “Bahubali” Desai. On his day, Desai’s raw power is unstoppable. He’s a match-winner who has been inconsistent in the past.
Their season rests on a simple but powerful “if”: IF Siddharth Desai finds his peak form and stays fit, the Steelers’ balance of elite defense and powerhouse raiding makes them a nightmare matchup for any team in the league. They are the definition of high-risk, high-reward, and that’s a team you should never bet against lightly. Think before you swing.
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Pro Kabaddi 2025: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is the most expensive player in PKL Season 11 (2025)?
While the all-time record still belongs to Pawan Kumar Sehrawat for his massive ₹2.61 Crore deal with Telugu Titans in Season 10, the 2025 auction was historic. It showed the league’s incredible growth, with multiple players crossing the coveted ₹2 Crore mark. Star all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh and breakout raider Devank Dalal also fetched massive bids, proving that teams are willing to pay big for game-changers, whether they are seasoned international stars or explosive young Indian talent.
Q2: Who are the owners of the Pro Kabaddi teams?
The PKL is backed by a mix of major corporations and celebrity star power. Here’s a quick list of the team owners:
Bengal Warriors: Capri Sports (The sports arm of Capri Global Holdings)
Bengaluru Bulls: Kosmik Global Media
Dabang Delhi K.C.: DoIT Sports Management (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Radha Kapoor Khanna)
Gujarat Giants: Adani Wilmar Ltd. (Adani Group)
Haryana Steelers: JSW Sports (Part of the JSW Group)
Jaipur Pink Panthers: Abhishek Bachchan
Patna Pirates: KVS Energy and Sports Limited (Rajesh V. Shah)
Puneri Paltan: Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd.
Tamil Thalaivas: Magnum Sports Private Limited
Telugu Titans: Veera Sports (Srinivas Sreeramaneni, Mahesh Kolli, & Gautham Nedurumalli)
U Mumba: Unilazer Ventures Pvt. Ltd. (Ronnie Screwvala)
UP Yoddhas: GMR Group
Q3: Who is considered the best raider in Pro Kabaddi history?
While there are many legends, the consensus among experts and fans points to one man: Pardeep Narwal. Nicknamed the “Record-Breaker,” he is the only player to score over 1800 raid points in the league’s history. His signature move, the “Dubki,” has baffled the best defenders for years. While players like Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal are current superstars, Pardeep’s records and impact on the game make him the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) of raiding.
Q4: Where is the best place to find the complete pro kabaddi player list for 2025?
You are in the right place! Just scroll up in this very article to the section titled “Complete Pro Kabaddi 2025 Player List & Captains by Team” for a full breakdown of every squad. For live updates, the official Pro Kabaddi League website and app are also excellent resources.
Q5: When does the PKL 2025 season start?
Mark your calendars, Champs. The organisers have officially announced that the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 will begin on August 29, 2025. The full schedule with venues and match timings will be released closer to the date.
Q6: Which team has won the most PKL titles?
The most successful team in PKL history is the Patna Pirates. They hold the record with three championship titles, and impressively, they won them all consecutively in Season 3, Season 4, and Season 5, establishing a dynasty that remains the benchmark in the league.
