Get the latest updates on PKL 2025! Discover which players have been retained by your favorite teams for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 and what to expect from the upcoming auction on May 31–June 1, 2025. Stay tuned for all the action.
Introduction to PKL Season 12 and the Auction
Yo, kabaddi fans! The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is back with its 12th season, and it’s about to get lit! After the Haryana Steelers snagged their first-ever title in Season 11, all 12 teams are ready to rumble in the player auction happening on May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. This auction is where the magic happens—teams will splash their INR 5 crore salary purse to build squads that can dominate the mat. With over 500 players up for grabs, divided into categories A (INR 30 lakh), B (INR 20 lakh), C (INR 13 lakh), and D (INR 9 lakh), expect some serious bidding wars for Raiders, Defenders, and All-Rounders. Before we dive into the auction hype, let’s check out which players the teams have locked in to keep their squads tight.
Retained Players by Each Team
The teams have played it smart, retaining 83 players across three categories: Elite Retained Players (ERP) for the seasoned pros, Retained Young Players (RYP) for rising stars, and New Young Players (NYP) for fresh talent. Here’s the full breakdown of who’s staying put:
| Team | Elite Retained Players (ERP) | Retained Young Players (RYP) | New Young Players (NYP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal Warriorz | Vishwas S | None | Yash Malik, Manjeet, Deep Kumar, Sushil Kambrekar |
| Bengaluru Bulls | None | None | Chandranaik M, Lucky Kumar, Manjeet, Pankaj |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | None | None | Sandeep, Mohit |
| Gujarat Giants | Himanshu Singh, Himanshu | Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh | None |
| Haryana Steelers | Rahul Sethpal, Vinay | Shivam Anil Patare, Jaideep, Jaya Soorya NS, Vishal S. Tate | Sahil, Manikandan N, Vikas Ramadas Jadhav |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | Reza Mirbagheri | Abhishek KS | Ronak Singh, Nitin Kumar, Sombir, Ritik Sharma |
| Patna Pirates | Hamid Mirzaei Nader, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj | Sudhakar M | Ayan, Navdeep, Deepak, Sahil Patil |
| Puneri Paltan | Abinesh Nadarajan, Gaurav Khatri, Pankaj Mohite | Aslam Mustafa Inamdar, Mohit Goyat, Dadaso Shivaji Pujari, Aditya Tushar Shinde | None |
| Tamil Thalaivas | Moein Shafaghi, Himanshu, Sagar | Nitesh Kumar, Narender, Ronak, Vishal Chahal, Aashish | Anuj Kaluram Gawade, Dhiraj Ravindra Bailmare |
| Telugu Titans | Shankar Bhimraj Gadai, Ajit Pandurang Pawar | Ankit, Praful Sudam Zaware | Sagar, Chetan Sahu, Nitin, Rohit |
| U Mumba | Sunil Kumar, Rohit, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Satish Kannan | Mukilan Shanmugam | Ajit Chouhan, Deepak Kundu, Lokesh Ghosliya, Sunny |
| UP Yoddhas | Sumit, Bhavani Rajput, Sahul Kumar, Surender Gill, Ashu Singh | Hitesh, Gagana Gowda HR, Shivam Chaudhary | Jayesh Vikas Mahajan, Gangaram, Sachin, Keshav Kumar |
Source: [1]
Key Highlights:
- U Mumba is banking on experience with Sunil Kumar and Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, a dynamic Iranian all-rounder who’s been turning heads.
- Puneri Paltan, the Season 10 champs, have kept their core intact with Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat, setting them up for another strong run.
- UP Yoddhas have retained a solid five ERPs, including raider Surender Gill, signaling their intent to dominate the raiding department.
- Dabang Delhi K.C. and Bengaluru Bulls have gone light on retentions, likely saving their purse for big auction buys.
This retention strategy shows teams are balancing experience with youth. For example, Haryana Steelers, fresh off their Season 11 win, have kept raider Vinay and defender Jaideep to maintain their winning formula, while also nurturing new talent like Shivam Anil Patare.
Expectations for the PKL 2025 Auction
With the retained players locked in, the auction is where the real drama unfolds. Over 500 players, including domestic and international stars, will go under the hammer, and teams are ready to flex their INR 5 crore purses. Here’s what to watch for:
- Big Names to Watch: Pawan Sehrawat, the record holder for the most expensive PKL buy at INR 2.6 crore in Season 11, and Pardeep Narwal, the “Record Breaker,” are likely to spark fierce bidding wars. Will Pawan break his own record again?.
- Teams to Watch: Dabang Delhi K.C. and Bengaluru Bulls, with minimal retentions, might go all-in for top raiders or defenders to rebuild their squads. Bengaluru Bulls, who struggled in Season 11, are under new coach BC Ramesh and will be eager to bounce back.
- Auction Rules: Players are split into four categories (A: INR 30 lakh, B: INR 20 lakh, C: INR 13 lakh, D: INR 9 lakh), with each team allowed 2–4 overseas players. This setup ensures a mix of star power and budget buys.
- Fan Engagement: Catch all the live action on the Pro Kabaddi YouTube page or follow updates on their social media handles for real-time bidding drama.
Conclusion
PKL Season 12 is shaping up to be a banger, with teams locking in their core players and gearing up for the May 31–June 1, 2025, auction in Mumbai. From U Mumba’s defensive stalwarts to Puneri Paltan’s all-round firepower, the retained players set the stage for an epic season. As the auction nears, fans can expect high-stakes bids, new team dynamics, and maybe even a few record-breaking deals. Don’t miss out—follow the action live on the Pro Kabaddi official website and get ready for another season of heart-pounding kabaddi!
Bibliography
[1] PKL, “Pro Kabaddi Season 12 Player Auction: Full list of retained players from all teams,” Pro Kabaddi League, May 17, 2025. https://www.prokabaddi.com/news/pro-kabaddi-league-announces-retained-players-list-for-season-12
