Naveen Kumar Suffers Knee Injury against the Bengaluru Bulls

Haryana Steelers star raider Naveen Kumar suffered a suspected left knee injury during PKL 12 against Bengaluru Bulls. He collapsed mid-raid, screaming in pain, and had to be stretchered off, leaving teammates and coach visibly distraught. Naveen, who has 1,120 raid points in 111 matches, has a history of knee and ankle issues that now cast doubt on his immediate future.

When the Haryana Steelers faced Bengaluru Bulls in match 21 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 on September 8, 2025, the game took a dramatic turn with a major injury to star raider Naveen Kumar. Around seven and a half minutes into the first half, with Bengaluru leading 15-13, Naveen collapsed while attempting a raid near the right corner, landing awkwardly on his back and screaming in pain.

The medical team rushed in, and he was stretchered off the mat in tears, visibly upsetting teammates and coach Manpreet Singh. Without their talisman, Haryana struggled to maintain momentum and eventually lost 33-40. Bengaluru Bulls were led by Alireza Mirzaian, who notched his second consecutive Super 10, while Deepak Sankar and skipper Yogesh delivered strong defensive performances. For Haryana, Shivam Patare and Mayank Saini top scored with 7 and 6 points respectively.

Naveen Kumar’s career has been plagued by injuries, particularly to his knees and ankles, causing him to miss significant portions of the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Dabang Delhi. Despite this, he has accumulated 1,120 raid points in 111 games, averaging 10.09 points per match, making him one of PKL’s brightest stars. However, this latest knee injury raises concerns about his immediate future in the league.