Mumbai: As season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League approaches, team coaches BC Ramesh, Manpreet Singh, and Ajay Thakur, as well as JioStar PKL expert Rishank Devadiga shared their insights around the new schedule launch and outlined what makes the new season the most exciting and competitive one yet.
Speaking exclusively at the PKL pre-season Media Day, JioStar expert Rishank Devadiga commented on PKL’s evolution:
“PKL has brought stability to the lives of young players. Coaches like BC Ramesh and Manpreet Singh are betting big on youth, and the game has become faster and more aggressive. Players like Devank (Dalal), who was impressive last season, are being rewarded. PKL has provided financial security—most Kabaddi players come from middle-class families, and now they’re getting name, fame, and fan support. This is all thanks to PKL and broadcasters like JioStar who are building the league’s visibility.”
Rishank Devadiga on season’s expectations and key teams and players to watch out for:
“In PKL, the thrill begins from the first match. Every team treats the opener like a final. On Day 1, four teams will clash—including the Southern Derby, which will be a treat to watch. I’m very excited, and I know the fans will be too. It’s hard to pick one top team. I’d name three—Haryana Steelers, who played well and retained strong defenders; Puneri Paltan, with key additions like Sachin; and Tamil Thalaivas, who also look well-settled. Last season saw defence dominance—like Shadloui’s brilliance—but this year, raiders like Devank and Ashu Malik will make headlines. It’s time for the raiders to reclaim the spotlight.”
Speaking exclusively at the PKL pre-season Media Day, Bengaluru Bulls Head Coach BC Ramesh shared his motivation for re-joining Bengaluru Bulls:
“I was with Bengaluru Bulls in Season 6, then moved to Puneri Paltan in Seasons 9 and 10, where we reached the finals and became champion. I had been in talks with Bengaluru Bulls since last season and always wanted to come back. Being a native of Bengaluru, this team holds a special place for me. The fan support in Karnataka and beyond is immense. It’s a challenging season ahead, but we have a strong squad of young players and I’ll ensure they are well-prepared.”
Elaborating on his tactical approach, Bengaluru Bulls Head Coach BC Ramesh emphasised defence and emerging talent:
“From experience, I believe 50% of a match is won through defence. That’s why we’ve focused heavily on strengthening that area. Our defence is solid across all positions—right corner, left corner, right cover, left cover. On the raiding front, players like Naveen, Mohit, Aslam, Pawan, and Pardeep have come through New Young Players Program (NYP) and are showing great promise. I was looking for a left raider, which is hard to find, and Akash Shinde stood out. I’ve been following him for 2–3 seasons—he’s talented. We also found Aashish Malik and Ganesh during the NYP trials in Bangalore. An Iranian right raider from last season will also add value. Overall, I expect a good team performance.”
Speaking exclusively at the PKL pre-season Media Day, Haryana Steelers Head Coach Manpreet Singh highlighted the balance his team has achieved in both raiding and defence:
“In the auctions, our goal was to build a balanced squad. Naveen joins us with valuable experience in raiding. Even before, our raiding was strong, but his presence makes it even better. In defence, we have Rahul and Jaideep, who have been consistent over the past two seasons, now entering their third. We’ve added two promising young defenders to that mix. The overall balance of our team is very good. Young players are performing with energy and talent. Last season, we won 18 out of 22 matches, and we aim to maintain that momentum.”
Speaking exclusively at the PKL pre-season Media Day, Puneri Paltan Head Coach Ajay Thakur commented on team unity and challenges:
“Puneri Paltan has a talented squad, many of them champions. But performance depends on the hard work put in over the last year. My focus is on building unity. Often, when players have strong individual abilities, there can be clashes. My job is to eliminate that and make them function as one team. Players should feel heard, and empowered to make decisions on the mat. That mutual trust will define our success. It’s my first season as head coach, and the biggest challenge is to unite the team.”
Puneri Paltan Head Coach Ajay Thakur on initial fixtures and season planning:
“Every team plays each other, and win or lose, it’s a long season with 22 matches. Our focus is to take it step by step. The goal is first to finish in the top six, then aim for the semi-finals and finals. I don’t want to put the pressure of being champions right away. We need to play every match with focus and consistency.”
