The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 is all set for its much-awaited return to the Pink City, Jaipur, as the action shifts from Vizag to the SMS Indoor Stadium. Beginning on Friday, Jaipur will host the second leg of what is shaping up to be the most competitive season yet.
The last time PKL graced Jaipur was in January 2024, and the city’s passionate kabaddi fans are eager to witness their beloved Jaipur Pink Panthers in action on home soil once again. The team, which clinched the inaugural PKL title in 2014 and their second championship in Season 9, will be looking to leverage the home advantage and the unwavering support of their loyal fanbase.
The Jaipur leg will continue till September 27, featuring multiple matches across the 12 teams. This comes after the end of the Vizag leg on September 11, with Puneri Paltan, Dabang Delhi K.C., Telugu Titans and U Mumba showing early signs of dominance in Season 12.
Speaking at the launch of the Jaipur Leg, Anupam Goswami, Business Head, Mashal Sports and League Chairman, PKL said, “PKL has reworked its format to make it more exciting for fans and competitive for players. The introduction of the tie-breaker rule has ensured that every match produces a decisive outcome. This season, we have already witnessed five tie-breakers, including two Golden Raids, which highlights how this innovation keeps the intensity high. Nearly 30% of total points have come from young players in just their first or second PKL season, underlining how fresh talent is shaping the league. We now look forward to carrying this momentum into the Jaipur leg.”
The Pink City has always been synonymous with sporting excellence and cultural richness, making it the perfect backdrop for high-octane kabaddi action. The captains and coaches of the Jaipur Pink Panthers also took time out their busy schedule to visit the Hawa Mahal, which is the hallmark of the city.
“We’ve had a solid start to the season – two wins already and two very close games that could have gone our way. The team is looking balanced and confident. Playing at our home ground gives us a special boost of energy, and I know our fans will turn up in big numbers to back us,” said Nitin Rawal, skipper of the Jaipur Pink Panthers.
“This season has shown that every match is unpredictable, and that keeps us motivated to fight harder. We’re confident that if we play with discipline and teamwork, we can turn the pressure into opportunity,” added Bengaluru Bulls skipper Yogesh Dahiya.
The Jaipur leg will witness the home favourites, two-time champions Jaipur Pink Panthers, lock horns with the Bengaluru Bulls in what promises to be a thrilling opener. The second match of the day will see Tamil Thalaivas take on Bengal Warriorz, setting the stage for an action-packed return to Rajasthan's capital.
Inches separate the two sides as U Mumba clinch victory in last raid thriller against Patna Pirates
Vizag, September 11, 2025: In the penultimate game of the first leg of PKL 12, U Mumba edged past the Patna Pirates in a nail-biting contest, pulling off a thrilling 40-39 victory at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Thursday.
Ayan Lohchab scripted history to become the first player to record successive 20-point games in PKL history, but was left heartbroken as a costly unforced error in the dying seconds tilted the game away from his side. For U Mumba, Amirmohammad Zafardanesh starred with a Super 10, while Anil made vital contributions in what turned out to be a high-scoring night.
U Mumba were quick off the blocks in this contest, as Vijay Kumar tackled Ayan Lohchab and Anil recorded a two-point raid to give the Season 2 champions a three-point lead. Milan Dahiya opened the scoring for the Patna Pirates, and they were soon back on level terms courtesy of a successful Do-or-Die raid from Ayan.
Zafardanesh then helped U Mumba regain the lead with a brilliant Super Raid, as his side began to take control of the game, opening up a six-point gap. On the brink of an ALL OUT, Ayan Lohchab stood tall for the Pirates with his brilliance on the offensive end, reducing the deficit to just two points, with the score at 9-11 after the first quarter.
U Mumba eventually inflicted the ALL OUT on their opponents, with captain Sunil Kumar leading the way through his first tackle of the night. The Anil Chaprana-led side looked defensively superior, maintaining a seven-point gap with under five minutes left in the first half.
Ayan Lohchab continued his fine form, completing his Super 10 in the opening half. Despite his best efforts, the Patna Pirates trailed by eight points at the break, with the score reading 23-15.
In the opening five minutes of the second half, the Patna Pirates came storming back into the contest. There was no stopping Ayan Lohchab, as his brilliance helped his side inflict their first ALL OUT and bring the scores level. The two teams continued to trade blows, with the scoreboard reading 29-29 heading into the final ten minutes.
Anil and Zafardanesh kept U Mumba in the fight, but Ayan remained unstoppable, keeping the Pirates narrowly ahead with a two-point lead as the clock ticked down to the last five minutes.
Zafardanesh then completed his Super 10, pulling U Mumba back on level terms at 34-34. However, the Pirates regained the advantage thanks to Ayan Lohchab’s sensational effort, as he notched up his second successive 20-point performance.
With under two minutes left, a timely Super Tackle from U Mumba cut the deficit to just one point. Zafardanesh struck with a four second raid to keep U Mumba in the game, levelling the scores with less than five seconds remaining as a tie-breaker seemed imminent and giving Ayan a final chance to seal victory in the last raid. But in the heat of the moment, he committed an unforced error by stepping into the lobby, a mistake that cost his team dearly and handed U Mumba the narrowest of wins.
