Dabang Delhi KC and Puneri Paltan will clash in the PKL Season 12 Grand Final on Friday, October 31 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The match is set to feature Delhi’s experience and defensive approach against Pune’s consistent and attacking tactics, with both teams finishing top two in the points table. Their consistent performances highlight the quality and depth of their squads this season.
The final comes after a closely fought Qualifier 1 where Dabang Delhi defeated Puneri Paltan 6–4 in a tiebreak after a 34–34 draw in regulation time. This win secured Delhi a place in the finals. For Pune, a strong response in Qualifier 2 saw them beat the Telugu Titans to seal their third final in four seasons and keep their hopes of a maiden title alive.
Delhi rely on Ashu Malik’s leadership and Joginder Narwal’s coaching. The home support at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium is expected to be a factor, with the team counting on established performers like Fazel Atrachali, Saurabh Nandal and Ashu Malik. On the other hand, Pune is captained by Aslam Inamdar and coached by Ajay Thakur, with a squad known for its depth and rotation.
Every encounter between Delhi and Pune this season has gone to a tiebreak, which shows how evenly matched the two teams are. Their head-to-head record this year highlights the fine margin and tactical acumen required to secure victory in these competitions.
Key individual contributions shaped the journeys of both teams. Delhi’s Ashu Malik guided his side through the crucial moments as the Pune raiders rotated effectively to keep the opposition defense under constant pressure. The defensive stability of Atrachali and Nandal also played a central role in Delhi’s performance, especially in close matches.
Delhi’s strategy is built around defensive discipline and the ability to handle tight situations as seen throughout the season. Pune’s balanced team play and ability to rotate raiders have been hallmarks of their season. Their cohesive defense complemented the attacking flair in previous rounds. These strengths provided the foundation for their comeback win in Qualifier 2.
Joginder Narwal, head coach of Dabang Delhi KC, said his team’s return to the finals was a result of their faith and teamwork.
“I’m extremely proud of this group – we’ve grown together. From the young players to the seniors, they’ve all stepped up. This isn’t about one individual, it’s about the collective spirit. The way they’ve fought through the challenges and stayed united makes me believe this team deserves every bit of success it gets,” said Narwal.
Head coach Ajay Thakur said the team’s unity and discipline were their biggest plus points this season.
“When I took over as coach, I knew the foundation had to be about belonging. You can’t build a champion side overnight – it takes time, trust and discipline. What I’m most proud of is how united these boys are; their love for each other shows in the way they play. We’ve shown all season we belong at the top and now it’s about staying calm and giving it our all,” said Thakur.
Historically, Delhi is aiming for its second PKL title after the previous triumph in season 8, while Pune is aiming to lift the trophy for the first time. The result will shape the legacy of both teams as Delhi look to cement their position among the league’s elite and Pune aim to overcome previous disappointments and clinch the title.
PKL SEASON 12 FINALS: TEAMS
Dabang Delhi KC
Raiders: Mohit (right winger), Anil Gurjar, Vijay, Ajinkya Ashok Pawar, Akshit (left winger), Neeraj Narwal, Ashu Malik
Defenders: Sandeep (Left cover), Anurag (Left corner), Raman Singh (Right corner), Mohit (Left cover), Saurabh Nandal (Left corner), Gaurav Chhillar (Right cover), Surjeet Singh (Right cover), Amirhossein Bastami (F) (Right corner), Fazel Atrachali (F) (Left corner)
Versatile: Amit, Ashish Kumar (Sangwan), Naveen, Arkam Shaikh
Puneri Paltan
Raiders: Mohit Goyat, Aditya Tushar Shinde, Pankaj Mohite, Abhishek Tukaram Gunge (R), Stuart Singh (R), Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh (F), Milad Mohajer (F), Sachin
Defenders: Gaurav Khatri (Right Corner), Abinesh Nadarajan (Right Cover), Dadaso Shivaji Pujari (Right Corner), Sanjay Enania (Right Corner), Rakesh (Left Corner), Vaibhav S. Rabade (Right Cover), Rohan Ashok Tupare, Vishal Bhardwaj, Mohd. Amaan (left corner)
Versatile: Aslam Mustafa Inamdar, Gurdeep
When and where to watch the PKL season 12 final?
The final of PKL season 12 will be played at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on 31 October. The season 12 finale is telecast live on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar from 6:30 PM onwards.
– The end
Published on:
October 30, 2025
