The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 2025) is getting more intense with every passing match! On Monday, 27th October 2025, fans at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, New Delhi witnessed one of the most thrilling clashes of the season as Dabang Delhi K.C. defeated Puneri Paltan in a nerve-wracking tie-breaker (6-4) to book their place in the PKL 12 Final.
With the regulation time ending at 34-34, the Qualifier 1 turned into a pulsating tie-breaker, where the Season 8 champions Delhi showed nerves of steel to seal victory in front of their home crowd. They will now face the winner of Qualifier 2 in the grand PKL 12 Final, scheduled for Friday, 31st October 2025, at 8:00 PM — at the same venue.
A High-Octane Qualifier 1: Delhi vs Pune Battle for Glory
From the very first whistle, both sides came out with full intensity. Saurabh Nandal and Abinesh Nadarajan gave their teams early momentum with aggressive tackles. Delhi quickly raced to a four-point lead thanks to solid defensive efforts from Sandeep and Surjeet Singh.
Delhi’s star raider Ashu Malik kept the scoreboard ticking with a confident Do-or-Die raid, but Gurdeep’s spectacular Super Tackle brought Puneri Paltan back within a point — the score reading 7-6 after ten minutes of play.
Ashu Malik’s Heroics Give Delhi the First All-Out
Dabang Delhi’s first major strike came through Ashu Malik, who produced a superb Do-or-Die raid followed by a multi-point raid that inflicted the first All-Out on Puneri Paltan, giving Delhi a seven-point lead. The home fans erupted in joy as their team looked to be in complete control.
However, Puneri Paltan refused to back down. Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite led the fightback with quick raids, while the defensive trio of Abinesh Nadarajan, Gurdeep, and Vishal Bhardwaj turned the tide with some powerful tackles. Soon after, Pune inflicted an All-Out on Delhi, leveling the scores at 16-16.
Second Half: Lead Changes and Non-Stop Drama
The momentum kept shifting in the second half. Delhi captain Fazel Atrachali and Saurabh Nandal pulled off timely tackles to help Delhi maintain a slender 18-17 lead at halftime.
Puneri Paltan then struck back strongly through a Super Raid from Aditya Shinde and two brilliant tackles from Gaurav Khatri, which gave them their second All-Out of the match and a five-point advantage with just ten minutes left on the clock.
Aditya Shinde completed his Super 10, while Aslam Inamdar also contributed crucial points, putting Delhi under immense pressure.
Neeraj Narwal’s Super Raid Revives Delhi
When it looked like Puneri Paltan were on course for a famous win, Neeraj Narwal produced a stunning Super Raid in a Do-or-Die situation that brought Delhi right back into the contest. Ashu Malik followed it up with another successful raid, cutting the deficit down to just three points.
With time running out, Delhi’s defense held firm. Sandeep’s last-minute tackle brought the scores level at 34-34, sending the game into a tie-breaker — the third time these two teams faced each other in a tiebreaker this season.
Tie-Breaker: Delhi Hold Their Nerve to Reach the Final
In the high-pressure tie-breaker, Delhi showed calmness and control. Saurabh Nandal gave them the perfect start with a tackle in the second raid. From there, Akshit Dhull and Ashu Malik sealed the deal, guiding Delhi to a 6-4 victory.
The win means Dabang Delhi K.C. become the first team to enter the PKL 12 Final, while Puneri Paltan will get another opportunity to make it to the final through Qualifier 2, which will be played on Wednesday.
The Road Ahead: Title Clash on 31st October
The much-awaited PKL 12 Final will take place on Friday, 31st October 2025, at 8:00 PM at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Dabang Delhi will face the winner of Qualifier 2 — and fans can expect another blockbuster kabaddi showdown.
For Delhi fans, this will be a golden chance to witness their team possibly lift the trophy once again, while Puneri Paltan will look to bounce back stronger and keep their title hopes alive.
Key Performers
- Ashu Malik (Dabang Delhi) – Match-winning raids and consistent pressure on Pune’s defense.
- Neeraj Narwal (Dabang Delhi) – Crucial Super Raid that turned the game around.
- Saurabh Nandal (Dabang Delhi) – Solid defensive performance, including key tackles in the tie-breaker.
- Aditya Shinde (Puneri Paltan) – Super 10 performance and attacking brilliance despite the loss.
Qualifier 1 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 was everything fans could have hoped for — high-intensity raids, strong tackles, emotional swings, and a dramatic finish. Dabang Delhi once again showed why they are among the most consistent teams in the league, with their experience and composure under pressure helping them reach yet another final.
As the countdown to the PKL 12 Final begins, the question now is — can Dabang Delhi reclaim the title, or will a new champion emerge this season?
