From chaos to composure: Bengal Warriorz stuns Dabang Delhi in high-drama PKL finish

Bengal Warriorz has been the very definition of a rollercoaster ride in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12.

Despite boasting a formidable raiding unit that leads the league in raid points, the Kolkata-based outfit has been plagued by a defence as unpredictable as a monsoon storm, managing only four wins in 11 outings.

However, on Thursday, against the seemingly unstoppable table-topper Dabang Delhi, the script flipped dramatically. In a thrilling contest at the SDAT Multipurpose Stadium in Chennai, the Warriorz’s usually fragile defence stood tall, sealing a gripping 37-36 victory. It was the backline — long the team’s Achilles’ heel — that finally answered the call.

“Today (On Thursday) our defence did really well. It was a true team game,” beamed Warriorz coach Naveen Kumar in the post-match press conference. “We have struggled to get Super Tackles, and today we got them in combination of two and three.”

The inconsistent side finally found its spine, proving that when its defence fires, the Warriorz can conquer any opponent.

The team has averaged only 8.27 tackles per game this season, but on the night, it was the defenders who set the tone against Delhi, which was without its captain and main raider, Ashu Malik.

Warriorz’s defence collected 13 tackle points, including three Super Tackles — each arriving at crucial junctures.

In the final phase of the second half, it seemed the Warriorz had once again lost the plot after building a commanding 10-point lead. In a frenetic three-minute burst, Delhi’s raiders went ballistic, erasing the deficit and threatening a second all-out.

With their backs to the wall and only two men left, the Warriorz produced a defensive miracle. Manjeet and Ankit executed a bone-jarring tackle on Neeraj Narwal. Moments later, Ashish, ice-cool under pressure, trapped the dangerous Ajinkya Pawar with a flawless ankle hold. These moments of defensive brilliance, each fetching two points, didn’t just stop the collapse; they sparked an improbable comeback.

The defensive trio proved decisive, accounting for 11 of the team’s 13 tackle points. Notably, eight of those came when the Warriorz were trailing. While the absence of Ashu Malik undoubtedly altered the balance, the Warriorz played the hand they were dealt — and played it to perfection.

The match had everything: aggression, desperation, drama and a chaotic finish.

The tension spilled over right after the final whistle. A long delay in confirming the result triggered a heated confrontation involving both captains and match officials. The situation escalated so sharply that E. Prasad Rao, PKL’s technical director, had to personally intervene to defuse it.

From defence to dominance — Bengal Warriorz turned the tables on Dabang Delhi in a nail-biting PKL finish!
| Photo Credit:
PKL MEDIA

The controversy stemmed from the dying seconds. With just 32 seconds remaining and the Warriorz leading by two, raider Himanshu entered the opponent’s half to kill time. He stayed on the mat for the entire 30-second raid without crossing the baulk line or making contact, a clear defensive ploy that rightly saw him declared out.

But confusion erupted the moment the raid clock expired. The game clock appeared to skip the final two seconds, jumping prematurely to 0:00. As Delhi’s players rushed for one last raid, officials stepped in and ended the match.

Warriorz captain Devank Dalal, who finished with 12 raid points, defended his side’s actions. “We instructed Himanshu to take the entire time in the raid,” he said. “It is not our fault that the [game] clock showed 0:00. There was a lot of confusion.”

Despite the controversy, Dabang Delhi became the first team to qualify for the top eight later that evening, after Gujarat Giants edged UP Yoddhas 41-39 in the night’s second match.

Published on Oct 10, 2025