Dabang Delhi win the PKL Season 12 Title in a Thrilling Finale at Home

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 came to a dramatic end at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, as Dabang Delhi won against the Puneri Paltan with a narrow 31–28 victory to lift the desired title. With this win, Delhi not only claimed the championship but also became the first team since 2015 to win a home final, an accomplishment last achieved by U Mumba in Season 2 in 2015.

From the opening whistle, Delhi seemed determined. Neeraj Narwal set the tone with a quick two-point raid, followed by a sharp tackle that helped them establish control early in the game. Ajinkya Pawar soon delivered a stunning blow with the first All Out, giving Delhi a six-point cushion. As the crowd erupted in support, Narwal doubled down with a Super Raid, extending Delhi’s lead to 20–14 at halftime.

The second half, however, was a test of nerves for both teams. Puneri Paltan recovered instantly, tightening their defensive techniques and finding momentum through Aditya Shinde, who led their fightback with a series of successful raids. Pune’s Gurdeep also stood tall in defence, pulling off timely tackles that kept the pressure on Delhi till the end.

As the clock ticked down, the game swung like a pendulum with probability on both their sides. Delhi’s Ashu Malik managed a crucial raid point in the final quarter to steady his side, while Anurag’s brilliant Super Tackle proved important in keeping Delhi ahead. Pune refused to give up easily. Shinde’s late All Out brought the fall down to just one point, sending the stadium into a frenzy. But in the dying seconds, Delhi’s captain Fazel Atrachali produced a tackle on Shinde, guaranteeing the match and the championship for the home side.

For Dabang Delhi, this victory was the result of a blend of composure, strategy, and experience. Their coach, Joginder Narwal, was involved in coordinating tactical switches throughout the game, rotating defenders, adjusting raiding patterns, and ensuring his team maintained its composure under pressure throughout. Interestingly, the win was doubly special for Joginder, who became the first individual in PKL history to win the title both as a player and as a coach.

Neeraj Narwal ended the night as Delhi’s top scorer with 8 points, followed by Ajinkya Pawar with 6. On the other side, Aditya Shinde’s Super 10 and Abinesh Nadarajan’s heroic defensive display (four tackle points and three Super Tackles) kept Pune in the contest till the end.