Naveen Kumar injury Latest Update: The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 2025) has already delivered some intense action, but the absence of Haryana Steelers’ star raider Naveen Kumar in their recent match has left fans concerned and curious. His name was missing from the lineup during the crucial clash against Gujarat Giants on 15th September, and since then, questions about his injury and possible return have dominated kabaddi discussions.
What exactly happened to Naveen Kumar?
Naveen Kumar sustained a serious left knee injury during match number 21 against Bengaluru Bulls on 8th September 2025. The injury occurred in the first half of the game, during one of his raids. While attempting to make his move, he appeared to land awkwardly and immediately collapsed on his back, clearly in pain. The situation was serious enough for the support staff to carry him off the mat on a stretcher.
The visuals from that moment were difficult to watch, and it left not only the Haryana Steelers fans but the entire kabaddi community concerned about the future of one of the league’s most dynamic raiders.
Coach Manpreet Singh’s update after Gujarat Giants match
After Haryana Steelers’ 40-37 victory over Gujarat Giants in match 33, head coach Manpreet Singh finally provided some clarity on Naveen’s condition during the post-match press conference.
Speaking to the media, Coach Manpreet said:
“As much as the fans are waiting for Naveen’s return, the team and I are waiting even more. We need him back as soon as possible and we’re praying for his quick recovery. We’ve started light training sessions with him, but realistically, it might still take 1–2 weeks before we can confirm his return.”
He added:
“Right now, the hope is alive. If things go well, he could possibly be back on the mat within five to seven days.”
This update has offered a much-needed ray of hope to fans who were worried about his long-term absence.
Haryana Steelers’ current position in PKL 2025
The match against Gujarat Giants, played at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur, was Haryana’s fifth match of the season. With this win, the defending champions now have three wins out of five and have climbed to 7th place on the points table with 6 points.
Despite missing their top raider, the team showed solid character and grit to overcome the challenge. However, the road ahead is not easy, and the team knows that Naveen’s return will be critical if they aim to defend their title.
Will Naveen play in the next match?
Haryana Steelers are scheduled to play their next game against Patna Pirates on 17th September at 9:00 PM in Jaipur. As per Coach Manpreet’s statement, it is confirmed that Naveen Kumar will not play in that match.
That said, fans are now looking forward to the back-to-back fixtures on:
- 19th September vs Puneri Paltan
- 20th September vs Tamil Thalaivas
- 29th September vs Dabang Delhi
There is a possibility that Naveen could make his comeback in one of these two games. However, his return will depend entirely on how well his knee responds to ongoing rehabilitation and match preparation in the coming days.
Final Thoughts
While Haryana Steelers managed a crucial win without Naveen, his absence has definitely impacted the team’s attacking strength. Coach Manpreet’s comments suggest that the team is taking no risks and wants him to return only when fully fit.
Fans will have to wait just a little longer to see the “Naveen Express” back in action. If all goes well, he could be back within a week — and that would be a massive boost not just for Haryana, but for the entire Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.
