PKL Season 12 Kicks Off with Record Competitiveness

During the opening week of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, the competition has reached unprecedented levels, delivering some of the closest matches in recent years. Of the first 14 games, 10 were decided by five points or fewer, marking 71% of contests as nail-biters, compared to 43% in Season 11 and 50% in Seasons 9 and 10. The first week also saw four tie-breakers and a dramatic ‘Golden Raid,’ highlighting the increased intensity and aggression among teams.

Only one match was decided by more than 11 points, showing how evenly matched the teams are. Puneri Paltan Head Coach Ajay Thakur praised the league’s competitiveness, citing players’ improved fitness and the impact of new rules, while captain Aslam Inamdar noted that such tight contests push teams to perform at their best. Season 12 has also produced high drama, including a standout 21-point performance by Bengal Warriorz’ Devank Dalal and notable rivalries like Sunil Kumar versus Mohammadreza Shadloui.