The franchise will once again be guided by head coach Joginder Narwal, under whom they enjoyed a dominant Season 11 campaign. With 13 wins in 22 matches, they finished second in the league stage with 81 points before bowing out to Patna Pirates in the semis.
Photo: IANS
Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 8 champions Dabang Delhi K.C. will head into the upcoming Season 12 determined to reclaim the title after falling short in last year’s semi-finals. One of the most consistent outfits in recent seasons, Delhi have qualified for the Playoffs in each of the last six editions.
The franchise will once again be guided by head coach Joginder Narwal, under whom they enjoyed a dominant Season 11 campaign. With 13 wins in 22 matches, they finished second in the league stage with 81 points before bowing out to Patna Pirates in the semis.
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Determined to go one better, Dabang Delhi were the busiest side at the Season 12 player auction, snapping up 16 players for a combined ₹4.899 crore. Their signings have addressed most areas on the mat, creating a squad that blends experience with raw talent.
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A major boost came in the form of star raider Ashu Malik, retained via the Final Bid Match (FBM) card for two seasons at a hefty ₹1.90 crore. Joining him in the attack are Neeraj Narwal (₹32.60 lakh) and experienced campaigner Ajinkya Ashok Pawar (₹13 lakh).
The acquisition of Iranian legend Fazel Atrachali – the league’s most successful defender with 545 tackle points in 188 games – stands out. Signed for his base price of ₹30 lakh, Atrachali will be supported by seasoned right cover Surjeet Singh (₹20 lakh), Iranian right corner Amir Hossein Bastami (₹30 lakh) and left corner Saurabh Nandal (₹13 lakh).
However, the departure of talismanic captain Naveen Kumar looms large. The “Naveen Express” was instrumental in Delhi’s maiden PKL triumph in 2022 and claimed consecutive MVP awards in Seasons 7 and 8. His partnership with Ashu Malik was a nightmare for rival defences, and replacing his impact will be no small task.
Another potential weakness lies in the lack of quality all-rounders. Amit, Ashish Kumar Sangwan, Naveen, and Arkam Shaikh are the only recognised names in that department, meaning the side will rely heavily on its specialists.
Season 12 offers a platform for emerging talents like Neeraj Narwal, Anil Gurjar, Mohit, Vijay and Akshit to step up alongside Ashu Malik. The ace raider has amassed 538 raid points in his last 46 matches and will again be the focal point of Delhi’s offence.
For Atrachali, the season is also an opportunity for redemption after a below-par stint with Bengal Warriors. His leadership at the back could prove decisive in Delhi’s title push. With a potent mix of proven stars and hungry newcomers, Dabang Delhi K.C. have the tools to mount a serious challenge but their success may hinge on whether the supporting cast can rise to the occasion and fill the Naveen-shaped void.
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