Thrilling start to PKL Season 12 in Vizag

PKL Season 12 in Vizag delivered a dramatic opening week with 71% of matches decided by five points or fewer, four ties, and a Golden Raid. Coaches and players hailed the competitiveness, intensity, and aggression shaping the league this season.

HYDERABAD: Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 on JioStar has opened to a thrilling start, delivering the most competitive opening week in the past few seasons. Of the first 14 matches, 10 have been decided by a margin of just 5 points or fewer, a remarkable 71% of games producing nail-biting finishes, compared to 43% in Season 11 and 50% in both Seasons 9 and 10.

The season has already served up four tie-breakers and a dramatic ‘Golden Raid’ in the first week itself, underlining how the thrill, intensity, and aggression have gone up several notches.

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Adding to the spectacle, only one match of the 14 played in Week 1 has been decided by more than 11 points (Season 11, 10 and 9: 4 matches). The early trend is clear: Season 12 is defined by razor-thin margins and cut-throat competition, with teams evenly matched and every raid and tackle carrying weight.

Puneri Paltan Head Coach Ajay Thakur said: “It’s great to witness and be part of such competitive matches in Season 12. The Pro Kabaddi League has progressed significantly, with players now taking fitness and training extremely seriously.”

“Even the new rules introduced by the league have added to the competitiveness. This is exactly what the league needed, a strong start. Such closely fought matches, combined with the aggressive style of play, will draw more attention to PKL and further accelerate the growth of the sport,” he said.

Puneri Paltan skipper Aslam Inamdar said: “The increased competitiveness in PKL Season 12 will only have a direct impact on the league. It pushes us to bring out the best possible version of ourselves since we cannot take any team lightly.”

Speaking on the aggression and intensity of the opening week, JioStar expert Rishank Devadiga said: “I cannot recollect when a Pro Kabaddi League season has had such a strong start, consistent close finishes, fierce rivalries, and players openly showcasing aggression on the mat. It has all come together nicely and has really benefited the tournament.”