PKL 2025 final: Dabang Delhi wins a thriller against Puneri Paltan to secure second title

In a final that went down to the wire, Dabang Delhi K.C. managed to edge past Puneri Paltan 31-28 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Friday to emerge champion in the 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). It is Dabang Delhi’s second title, having won the eighth edition in 2021-22 as well. Neeraj Narwal and Ajinkya Pawar played starring roles for Delhi, which enjoyed the support of a packed house. While Narwal scored nine points, Pawar contributed six points to Delhi’s victory.

For the runner-up, raider Aditya Shinde was exemplary on the night, but his 10 points weren’t sufficient to get his side over the line.

Dabang Delhi had the better of the exchanges in the first half as it went into the five-minute break with a 20-14 lead. Having edged in front at the start of the half, it maintained a comfortable lead all the way through. Narwal enjoyed a perfect streak with his raids in the opening 20 minutes and set the tone for Delhi. The 25-year-old’s show made up for the fact that captain Ashu Malik, who seemed to be nursing an injury, wasn’t quite at his best.

In the second half, Paltan narrowed the margin by registering eight raid points as opposed to Delhi’s three. As the final neared its conclusion, Delhi certainly had to endure some nervous moments. But once Shinde, who hadn’t put a foot wrong for most of the evening, was successfully tackled by Iranian star Fazel Atrachali with less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Delhi’s celebrations could begin.

Published on Oct 31, 2025