For the past six seasons, star raider Surender Gill has been the face of UP Yoddhas. When he looks back at his journey, one sentiment stands out — “Pro Kabaddi League has given me everything.”
“All the fame and money have been the by-product of PKL,” he says with gratitude. “Everything I have earned in my life has come because of this league. But above all, it gave me UP Yoddhas, a team that feels like family.”
That bond with the Yoddhas continues to drive him. Gill still remembers the heartbreak of last season’s semi-final exit, a contest he believes was decided by “one raid.” Yet, he chooses not to dwell on the past.
“There is no single mistake to blame. We know margins are thin, but our goal this year is clear, take that extra step and make sure Yoddhas cross the line,” he declares.
According to Gill, the Yoddhas’ biggest strength lies in their culture. “The league runs for two months. You can’t win every game, but the positivity in our camp never changes. That’s because of the coaches and management.”
He draws a sharp contrast with other teams: “In other teams, if you get injured, you are sometimes compelled to play. In UP Yoddhas, that will never happen. They put players’ well-being first, always.”
Gill believes the team embodies the essence of Uttar Pradesh — grit, relentlessness, and discipline. Every player carries a story of struggle and triumph, from small-town beginnings to kabaddi stardom.
His own connection with the franchise and its owners runs deep. Gill lauds GMR Sports for nurturing the sport with grassroots initiatives and data-led strategies. From scouting raw talent in the hinterlands to applying analytics for match preparation, he says the owners are committed to building champions.
“Please continue to support us this time, with greater vigour and passion. Last time, we fell short in the semi-finals. That shall not be the case in PKL 2025,” he assures.
For UP Yoddhas, the pursuit goes beyond one individual. It is about a state, a team, and a sporting family chasing its maiden title. And for Surender Gill, the dream remains unfinished until that moment arrives.
Change in PKL 12 schedule
The organisers of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) on Tuesday announced changes to the schedule of season 12 for the Chennai and Delhi legs of the tournament. The Chennai leg will now operate from September 29 to October 10, followed by the Delhi leg, which will now begin on October 11.
This change ensures continuous tournament action while accommodating for the revised Chennai schedule. The following matches, originally scheduled for October 11 and 12 in Chennai, have been relocated to Delhi.
On October 11, the matches moving from Chennai to Delhi are Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Tamil Thalaivas vs Puneri Paltan. On October 12, the relocated matches include Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Puneri Paltan, and Bengal Warriorz vs Bengaluru Bulls.
Barring these changes, all other match dates, orders and team alignments remain unchanged. The overall tournament schedule and structure continue as originally planned, with only the venue location changed for the specified matches on October 11 and 12.
The league stage of PKL 12 will kick off with blockbuster clashes between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas, followed by Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on August 29.