Nitin Dhankhar injury Return Update: The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 12 has been full of thrills, action, and unexpected twists. The Jaipur Pink Panthers have been one of the more exciting teams to watch this season, with their star raider Nitin Dhankhar playing a pivotal role in their performances. However, a recent injury has raised concerns about his availability for upcoming matches. Let’s delve into the details of his injury, the impact on the team, and when we can expect his return.
Nitin Dhankhar’s Injury: What Happened?
Nitin Dhankhar, the star raider of Jaipur Pink Panthers, was forced to miss the team’s last two encounters in the PKL 12 season against Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi. The injury occurred during the match against Haryana Steelers on October 1st, 2025, in the Chennai leg.
In that match, Nitin twisted his ankle while attempting a raid. The injury occurred after a series of unsuccessful raids, including four empty raids and one failed attempt, which eventually led to him being substituted. The impact of his injury was immediately felt by the team, as they struggled in his absence.
The Impact of Nitin’s Absence on Jaipur Pink Panthers
Nitin has been the backbone of Jaipur Pink Panthers’ raid department this season. With his excellent raiding skills, he has been one of the top performers for the team, consistently scoring points and leading the charge on the mat.
Before his injury, Nitin had played in 10 matches and accumulated 109 raid points, placing him 7th in the list of top raiders in the league this season. In fact, before the injury, Nitin was ranked in the top 4 among raiders. His absence has had a major impact on the team, especially in their recent loss to Dabang Delhi in match number 67 of the season.
Jaipur Pink Panthers lost to Dabang Delhi by a narrow margin of 29-26. This defeat was their third loss in the last four matches, putting them in a challenging position in the points table. Currently, with 6 wins out of 12 matches, Jaipur is in 7th place, but their performance without Nitin has been far from ideal.
Coach Narendra Redhu, in a post-match interview, admitted that the team missed Nitin’s presence on the mat. “It’s clear that Delhi is a super team, and their performance, both in raiding and defending, shows on the points table. The strategy we had planned for defense worked well, but we just couldn’t score enough points in the raid department. I feel that if Nitin had played, the match could have been in our hands. If Ali had gotten a point in the last raid, the match could have ended in a tie,” said Redhu.
Nitin Dhankhar’s Return: Coach Narendra Redhu’s Update
Following the loss to Dabang Delhi, Jaipur Pink Panthers’ head coach, Narendra Redhu, provided an update on Nitin Dhankhar’s injury. The coach revealed that while they could have played Nitin in the match against Dabang Delhi, they decided against taking the risk. Jaipur has six upcoming matches in the Delhi leg, and the team did not want to jeopardize Nitin’s long-term availability by rushing his recovery.
“We could have played Nitin today, but we have six crucial matches in the Delhi leg. We didn’t want to take any risks with his health, especially since we’ll have a few days of rest before our next match. This break will give Nitin some time to recover and prepare for the upcoming challenges,” Redhu said.
The Importance of Nitin Dhankhar for Jaipur Pink Panthers
Nitin Dhankhar’s importance to the Jaipur Pink Panthers cannot be overstated. As one of the most consistent raiders in the league, Nitin has been a key contributor to the team’s success in PKL 12. His ability to win crucial raid points, his sharp reflexes, and his overall raiding technique make him one of the standout players in the tournament.
Without Nitin, Jaipur’s raiding department has struggled to fill the void. His absence has forced other raiders, including Ali, to step up, but they have not been able to deliver the same level of impact. This has been evident in Jaipur’s recent losses, and it highlights just how crucial Nitin is to their overall strategy.
When Will Nitin Dhankhar Return?
As per Coach Narendra Redhu, Nitin Dhankhar’s recovery is progressing, but it is unlikely that he will return for Jaipur Pink Panthers’ upcoming match against Bengaluru Bulls on October 11th, 2025. The coach explained that the team is being cautious with his recovery and is hopeful that Nitin will be available for the subsequent matches in the Delhi leg.
“While Nitin is recovering well, we don’t want to rush him back into action. The Delhi leg will be important for us, and we hope to have him back for the upcoming matches,” Redhu added.
Looking Ahead: What Does Nitin’s Return Mean for Jaipur Pink Panthers?
Jaipur Pink Panthers will be eagerly awaiting Nitin Dhankhar’s return, as his presence on the mat can make a huge difference. His ability to break through opposition defenses and score critical points is invaluable, and he will certainly be a key player in the team’s hunt for a spot in the playoffs.
With six matches remaining in the Delhi leg, Nitin’s return will provide the team with much-needed stability and firepower in the raid department. Jaipur’s coach will undoubtedly be hoping for a full recovery so that Nitin can regain his rhythm and continue to lead the charge for the team.
Stay tuned for further updates on Nitin Dhankhar’s recovery and Jaipur Pink Panthers’ upcoming matches as they look to make a strong comeback in the league!
