Meet the captains of all 12 teams in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12

The wait is over! The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 will start in Vizag on August 29.

Since its inception in 2014, the PKL has witnessed many inspirational leaders who have led their teams by example on and off the mat.

Having an astute captain who can lead by example is the foundation of championship-winning teams in the PKL. Apart from producing consistent performances on the mat, a captain also carries out the added responsibility of guiding their teammates during matches and making crucial decisions that can change the course of the game.

With just two days to go before the tournament starts, let’s have a look at the men who will lead the teams this season.

Bengal Warriorz - Devank

Bengal Warriorz have named star raider Devank Dalal as their captain for the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. The PKL Season 7 champions have also appointed veteran defender Nitesh Kumar as the defence captain. After roping in Devank for a whopping INR 2.205 crore at the Season 12 Player Auction following his breakthrough Season 11 campaign with a staggering 301 raid points, the Warriorz will hope that their talisman can lead from the front and guide them to their second PKL title.

Bengaluru Bulls - Ankush Rathee

Pro Kabaddi League Season 6 winners Bengaluru Bulls have named Ankush Rathee as their captain for the upcoming season. One of Pro Kabaddi’s most consistent and feared defenders, Ankush joined the Bulls set-up after they acquired him for INR 30 lacs at the Season 12 Player Auction. Ankush will be the leader of a new-look Bulls team, following the retirement of their former captain, the Dubki King, Pardeep Narwal. Since his PKL debut in Season 9, Ankush has already accumulated 227 tackle points in 69 games, including 15 Super Tackles and 20 High 5s.

Dabang Delhi K.C. - Ashu Malik

Dabang Delhi K.C. have announced that star raider Ashu Malik will continue as captain for the Pro Kabaddi Season 12. Under his leadership, Dabang Delhi K.C. were one of the dominant teams last season as they finished second in the standings with 13 wins in 22 matches. The team pulled off an incredible 15-match winning streak before they went down to the Patna Pirates in the PKL Season 11 semi-finals. On the personal front, Ashu has emerged as one of the top raiders in the league with 730 raid points in 91 games, including 23 Super Raids and 38 Super 10s.

Gujarat Giants - Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh

Two-time PKL finalists Gujarat Giants have named Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh as captain for the forthcoming season. The Giants broke the bank to acquire the services of Shadloui for INR 2.23 crore, the most expensive player at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction. Shadloui has already cemented his legacy as one of PKL’s greatest overseas players after winning back-to-back titles with Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers. The 25-year-old was also adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in PKL Season 11 for his incredible all-round performances. Overall, Shadloui has racked up 354 tackle points and 94 raid points in 92 games so far.

Haryana Steelers - Jaideep Dahiya

After guiding Haryana Steelers to their maiden PKL title last season, the reappointment of Jaideep Dahiya as captain for the new season was an absolute no-brainer. Under Jaideep’s brilliant leadership, the Steelers topped the PKL Season 11 points table in the regular league stage with 16 victories in 22 games. The Manpreet Singh-coached side later continued their dominance in the PKL Season 11 Playoffs and defeated Patna Pirates 32-23 in the final to clinch their first-ever PKL trophy. Apart from his leadership credentials, Jaideep has been a top defender in the PKL with 227 tackle points in 87 games, comprising 20 Super Tackles and 16 High 5s.

Jaipur Pink Panthers - Nitin Rawal

Two-time Pro Kabaddi League champions Jaipur Pink Panthers have announced Nitin Rawal as captain for the upcoming Season 12. The Pink Panthers signed Nitin at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction for INR 50 lacs to strengthen their squad. Having previously joined the Pink Panthers in Season 5 as a New Young Player (NYP), Nitin has developed into a formidable all-rounder over the years. Following the departure of their former captain and lead raider, Arjun Deshwal, Nitin has been given the captaincy responsibility, considering his experience and leadership qualities. Since his PKL debut in 2017, the experienced all-rounder has amassed 144 raid points and 167 tackle points in 103 games so far.

Patna Pirates - Ankit Jaglan

After Patna Pirates retained Ankit Jaglan using their FBM option at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction, the three-time PKL champions have further shown their faith by naming him as captain for the forthcoming season. Having emerged as one of the top defenders in the league with 79 tackle points in 25 matches last season, the Pirates exercised their FBM card at the auction for one season to re-sign Ankit for a whopping INR 1.573 crore. In the previous two editions of the PKL, Ankit has been a key member of the Pirates’ defence, accumulating 145 tackle points in 48 games, including 13 Super Tackles and nine High 5s. With his appointment as captain in his third season for the Pirates, Ankit will aim to guide them to a record-extending fourth PKL title.

Puneri Paltan - Aslam Inamdar

Puneri Paltan have once again appointed Aslam Inamdar as captain for the Pro Kabaddi Season 12. The Pune-based team struggled last season after Aslam Inamdar missed the majority of the campaign due to a knee injury. As a result, Puneri Paltan managed just eight wins in 22 games to finish eighth on the PKL Season 11 standings. Earlier, Aslam Inamdar led from the front to guide the team to their maiden title in PKL Season 10. Following his consistent all-round performances, he was named the league’s MVP in Season 10. With 480 raid points and 65 tackle points to his name, Aslam Inamdar will be looking to lead Puneri Paltan to their second PKL crown in Season 12.

Tamil Thalaivas - Pawan Sehrawat

Tamil Thalaivas have named Pawan Sehrawat as captain for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi season. Hi-Flyer Pawan has joined the Thalaivas squad after they bought him for INR 59.50 lacs at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction. While Pawan previously donned the Thalaivas’ jersey in Season 9, he was unable to play much due to an injury. Third on the all-time leaderboard for most raid points (1318) in PKL history, Pawan also has enough leadership experience, having led his former side, Telugu Titans, in PKL Season 10 and 11. Having assembled a star-studded squad, Pawan will be hoping to guide the Thalaivas to their first-ever PKL title.

Telugu Titans - Vijay Malik

Telugu Titans have announced Vijay Malik as captain for the Pro Kabaddi Season 12. While their former captain, Pawan Sehrawat, was injured during PKL Season 11, Vijay Malik led from the front as he took his raiding to another level. Even though the Titans missed the PKL Season 11 Playoffs by a whisker as they finished seventh in the standings, Malik emerged as the sixth-best raider in the league with 172 points in 22 matches, including seven Super 10s and one Super Raids. Following his stellar campaign, the Titans used their FBM option to retain their seasoned all-rounder for one season for INR 51.50 lacs at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction. Vijay Malik is all set to enjoy his first-ever season as the full-time captain of the Titans.

U Mumba - Sunil Kumar

Pro Kabaddi League’s most successful captain, Sunil Kumar, will continue his role as skipper of U Mumba for the PKL Season 12. Sunil surpassed Fazel Atrachali’s record for most wins as a captain in PKL history (73) last season. Under his leadership, U Mumba qualified for the PKL Season 11 Playoffs after three editions. After yet another successful season as a leader, he sits at the top with 77 wins as a captain. The seasoned defender also holds the record for being the first-ever Indian player to have captained in more than 100 PKL matches. The Indian defender previously guided Jaipur Pink Panthers to the PKL title in Season 9. With 390 tackle points in 160 games, Sunil will hope to lead U Mumba to their second PKL trophy.

UP Yoddhas - Sumit Sangwan

UP Yoddhas have appointed star defender Sumit Sangwan as captain for the upcoming season. The experienced defender has been part of the Uttar Pradesh-based side since PKL Season 7. Sumit has been rewarded for his consistent performances at the left corner position in the last few seasons. Since making his Pro Kabaddi debut in 2019, Sumit has already racked up 326 tackle points in 112 matches, including 23 Super Tackles and 24 High 5s. Sumit takes over the captaincy responsibility from UP Yoddhas' teammate Surender Gill.

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