Teams With the Most Super Tackles in PKL Season 12

A Super Tackle is one of the toughest things to pull off in kabaddi. It happens when a defending team is down to three or fewer players on the mat, yet still manages to stop the raider. Pulling this off takes nerve, timing, and trust between defenders, and teams that do it often build real momentum from it. PKL Season 12 had a clear group of sides that made a habit of it.

1. Haryana Steelers - 28 Super Tackles

Haryana Steelers had the most disciplined defensive unit in PKL Season 12, and their Super Tackle count backs that up. Across 19 matches, the champions built their defence around composure under pressure, which is exactly the situation a Super Tackle demands.

Their 28 Super Tackles were the highest in the league, and it came from a defence that also topped 223 tackle points overall. The biggest contributor was Jaideep Dahiya, who alone picked up 13 Super Tackles this season, comfortably the most by any player in the league. Sahil Narwal added another 5, giving Haryana Steelers two of the most reliable names in this category.

For a champion side, this kind of defensive depth matters. Haryana Steelers were not relying on one big performance to win matches; they had a defence that could produce a Super Tackle at almost any stage of a game, and Jaideep Dahiya was at the heart of it all season.

2. U Mumba - 27 Super Tackles

U Mumba matched Puneri Paltan’s tally of 27 Super Tackles, but they did it in fewer matches, playing just 19 games compared to Puneri Paltan’s 21. That makes their defensive output even more impressive on a per-match basis.

Their 27 Super Tackles came from a defence with real depth. Lokesh Ghosliya led the way with 6 Super Tackles in just 13 matches, while Rinku Sharma and captain Sunil Kumar each added 5 more. Having three different defenders capable of producing a Super Tackle gave U Mumba’s defence a level of unpredictability that opposition raiders struggled with.

U Mumba’s defensive unit was one of the most well-rounded in the league this season. With Lokesh Ghosliya, Rinku Sharma and Sunil Kumar all capable of delivering in these high-risk moments, U Mumba rarely looked short of an answer when a match got tight.

3. Puneri Paltan - 27 Super Tackles

Puneri Paltan finished the league stage on top of the table, and their defence played a huge part in that. Across 21 matches, they built a reputation as one of the toughest teams to raid against, especially in tight, high-pressure moments.

Their 27 Super Tackles came alongside a league-leading 244 tackle points. Gaurav Khatri was their standout contributor in this category, finishing with 5 Super Tackles, while defenders like Abinesh Nadarajan also chipped in with key moments in crucial matches, including the final.

Puneri Paltan’s defence was built on more than one player, and that balance showed throughout the season. Gaurav Khatri gave them a genuine defensive spearhead, but it was the collective effort that made their Super Tackle numbers among the best in the league.

4. Gujarat Giants - 23 Super Tackles

Gujarat Giants may have finished lower down the table, but their defence was one of the more underrated units in PKL Season 12. Across 18 matches, they showed they could match up with the league’s better defensive sides.

Their 23 Super Tackles were the fourth-highest total in the league. Nitin Panwar was their main contributor, finishing with 5 Super Tackles while also chipping in on the raiding side as an all-rounder, making him one of the more versatile defenders in the competition.

Gujarat Giants’ season did not go the way they hoped in the table, but their defensive numbers show a team that competed hard in the tighter moments of matches. Nitin Panwar and Lucky Sharma played a big part in why their Super Tackle count stayed among the league’s best.

5. Bengaluru Bulls - 19 Super Tackles

Bengaluru Bulls round out the top five, level with Jaipur Pink Panthers on 19 Super Tackles each. The Bulls take the fifth spot here on the back of a stronger overall defensive season, having finished with 221 tackle points compared to Jaipur’s 188.

Their 19 Super Tackles came from a defensive unit that improved noticeably as the season went on. Deepak Sankar was their top contributor with 5 Super Tackles, forming a strong partnership at the back that helped Bengaluru Bulls become a much harder team to raid against than in previous seasons.

For Bengaluru Bulls, this kind of defensive improvement was one of the more pleasing signs from Season 12. Deepak Sankar’s performances gave the team a defender they could rely on, and the numbers suggest their defence is heading in the right direction.

What Is a Super Tackle in Kabaddi?

A Super Tackle is awarded when a defending team has three or fewer players left on the mat, yet still manages to stop the raider from returning to their own half. Because the defending side is already at a numbers disadvantage, pulling off a tackle in this situation earns the team a bonus point on top of the usual tackle point. It is widely seen as one of the most skilful and momentum-shifting plays in the sport, since it can instantly swing a match back in the defending team’s favour.

Conclusion

Super Tackles are a clear sign of a defence that thrives under pressure, and Season 12’s top teams - Haryana Steelers, Puneri Paltan, U Mumba, Gujarat Giants and Bengaluru Bulls - all found different ways to deliver in these moments. Whether it was Jaideep Kuldeep Dahiya’s record-breaking season for Haryana Steelers or the shared defensive strength of U Mumba, this season was a reminder that a great defence is often built on more than one player stepping up when the team needs it most.

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