The action in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) continues with another mouth-watering clash as Bengaluru Bulls take on Puneri Paltan. The battle promises high intensity, not just because of the teams’ fierce rivalry, but also due to the fascinating subplot of Akash Shinde, who represented Paltan last season, now raiding against his former side, led by his good friend and current Puneri captain Aslam Inamdar.

Head-to-Head Record: Bengaluru Bulls vs Puneri Paltan

In their 20 PKL meetings, Puneri Paltan hold the edge over Bengaluru Bulls:

  • Puneri Paltan – 13 wins

  • Bengaluru Bulls – 7 wins

Recent form strongly favours Puneri, who have won 4 of the last 5 encounters between the two sides. The Bulls will be looking to turn the tide and begin their campaign on a positive note.

Bengaluru Bulls Squad for PKL Season 12

Following a tough PKL 11, the Bulls have gone for a fresh approach in Season 12, retaining only a handful of players and rebuilding their squad with smart auction moves and marquee signings.

  • Key Auction Buys:

    • Yogesh Dahiya (Defender, Right Corner) – ₹1.125 crore

    • Ankush Rathee (Defender, Left Corner, Captain) – ₹30 lakh

    • Akash Shinde (Raider) – ₹53.10 lakh

    • Dheeraj (Left Cover) – ₹40.20 lakh

  • Retained Core:

    • Raiders: Manjeet, Pankaj

    • Defender: Lucky Kumar

    • All-rounder: Chandranaik M

  • Full Squad Highlights:

    • Raiders: Manjeet, Pankaj, Pirati Srisivatejesh, Ganesha B. Hanamantagol, Aashish Malik, Shubham Bitake, Mahipal, Akash Shinde, Alireza Mirzaeian (F)

    • Defenders: Yogesh Dahiya, Ankush Rathee (C), Lucky Kumar, Deepak S, Shubham Rahate, Manish, Satyappa Matti, Sanjay

    • All-rounders: Chandranaik M, Amit Singh Thakur, Sahil Suhas Rane, Sachin, Ahmadreza Asgari (F), Dheeraj

The Bulls’ defence has been significantly strengthened with Yogesh Dahiya and captain Ankush Rathee, two of the most promising young defenders in PKL. In attack, Akash Shinde, alongside Manjeet and Pankaj, will spearhead the raiding department, while their mix of young Indian talent and Iranian all-rounders adds depth and versatility. The Bulls look determined to bounce back this season with a balanced squad.

Puneri Paltan Squad for PKL Season 12

The PKL Season 10 champions Puneri Paltan have shown faith in their core by retaining most of their young stars while adding experience through the auction.

  • Key Auction Buys:

    • Gurdeep (All-rounder) – ₹47.10 lakh

    • Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh (All-rounder, Iran) – ₹13 lakh

    • Mohd Amaan (All-rounder, FBM for 2 seasons) – ₹35 lakh

  • Retained Core:

    • Raiders: Mohit Goyat, Pankaj Mohite, Aditya Shinde

    • Defenders: Abinesh Nadarajan, Gaurav Khatri, Dadaso Shivaji Pujari

    • All-rounder: Aslam Inamdar (Captain)

  • Full Squad Highlights:

    • Raiders: Mohit Goyat, Pankaj Mohite, Aditya Shinde, Abhishek Tukaram Gunge, Stuwart Singh, Sachin, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh (F), Milad Mohajer (F)

    • Defenders: Gaurav Khatri, Abinesh Nadarajan, Dadaso Shivaji Pujari, Sanjay Enania, Rakesh, Vaibhav Rabade, Rohan Ashok Tupare, Vishal Bhardwaj, Mohd. Amaan

    • All-rounders: Aslam Inamdar, Gurdeep

With Mohit Goyat and Pankaj Mohite in raiding form, Aslam Inamdar’s leadership, and a rock-solid defence marshalled by Gaurav Khatri and Abinesh Nadarajan, Paltan enter as strong contenders.

What to Expect

  • Rivalry Edge: Puneri’s dominance in head-to-head contests gives them confidence.

  • Akash Shinde Storyline: The former Paltan raider will be keen to prove a point against his old side.

  • Captaincy Duel: Aslam Inamdar (Puneri) vs Ankush Rathee (Bulls) sets up a fascinating leadership battle.

  • Playoff Drive: Both teams missed the playoffs last season, and with the top 8 teams qualifying this year, every match is crucial.

Match Details

  • Match: Bengaluru Bulls vs Puneri Paltan
  • Tournament: Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 - Match 2
  • Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
  • Venue: Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag
  • Time: 9 PM
  • Live Streaming: Catch the action live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar. For live scores and updates, visit prokabaddi.com or download the Pro Kabaddi Official App.

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