Kabaddi fans all over the country can now finally breathe a sigh of relief. The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 has come to its most exciting phase, and everything is set to take place in the capital city.
The Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, will be the venue for the knockout matches starting from the play-ins to the finals on the last day of October.
The Place of Action
The movement of the action to one venue comes after the completion of the 108-league matches staged in four different cities. Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium transforms into the competing ground where eight teams will fight for the biggest kabaddi prize. Delhi’s part of the tournament began on October 11, and after it was finished on October 23, the playoff phase started.
This is a significant time for the Delhi fans since playoffs have not been held in the city for quite a number of years. Besides, having everything at one venue implies that the teams will not have to move around during matches which will keep them fresh and focused.
How The New Format Works
Season 12 brought in a completely revamped playoff structure that makes things tougher for everyone involved. Instead of the old system, there’s now a play-in round where teams ranked 5th through 8th get their shot at survival. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Matches started on October 25 with four teams fighting for two spots
- Haryana Steelers took on Jaipur Pink Panthers in the opening match
- Patna Pirates faced U Mumba in the second play-in contest
- Only the teams that come out on top move forward to the next stage
The playoff matches then run from October 26 through October 29, featuring a series of knockout rounds and qualifiers. Each day brings new eliminations until only two teams remain standing for the grand finale.
Top Teams Get Special Treatment
Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. were the lucky ones in the league stage, getting to the top spots and lucrative picks as a result. With 26 points, the teams were the fastest to get their playoff places. They meet in Qualifier 1 on October 27, and the surprising thing is that one of them will definitely be in the finals!
The team that’s victorious will be the one who advances directly to the October 31 final. The other, however, will still have a chance, albeit a harder one, via Qualifier 2.
Middle Of The Pack Gets Messy
Teams that finished between third and eighth positions have a much tougher road ahead. Bengaluru Bulls grabbed the third spot with 22 points, while Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers, and U Mumba all tied at 20 points. Patna Pirates rounded out the playoff picture with their late-season surge.
These teams face a brutal gauntlet:
- The 3rd and 4th placed teams meet in a mini qualifier
- Play-in teams enter through Eliminator 1
- Eliminator 2 happens on October 27
- Eliminator 3 takes place on October 28
One loss at any point, and the season ends right there. Fans following all the action through platforms like Kheloexch can track every moment of these intense matchups as teams battle for survival.
What Makes This Season Different
PKL’s Business Head Anupam Goswami termed Season 12 as one of the most competitive tournaments ever. The majority of the matches were decided in the very last moments and by a miniscule point difference. New captains and vibrant athletes took the ground all over the season, thus making predictions more tough than ever.
The inclusion of the play-in rounds has made it more difficult to deal with. In the previous seasons, the teams that could have easily made it to the playoffs now have to fight their way through the sudden-death matches right from the start. This format makes every match a high-stakes and an exciting one.
Defending Champions Put To Hard Test
Jaipur Pink Panthers stepped in as the ones with the victorious title, but they had to wrestle their way through the play-in round. Their battle against Haryana Steelers was so close that it literally went down to the wire, with Aryan Kumar competing the crucial role in defense and Nitin Kumar scoring the important points. They managed to move on but nothing is easy in such a format.
On the other hand, the three-time champions Patna Pirates surprised everyone by defeating U Mumba in their play-in match. The Pirates’ solid performance not only sent them through to the next round but it also was a reminder of their year’s championship mentality that had made them so unbeatable in the previous seasons.
Catch All The Action
For those wanting to follow every raid and tackle, matches air on Star Sports Network starting at 7:30 PM IST. Fans can also stream everything through JioHotstar from October 25 through the final on October 31. Platforms like Kheloexch provide additional coverage and updates throughout the playoff run.
The Road To October 31
After weeks of league matches and several days of intense knockouts, two teams will step onto the mat for the championship. Whoever lifts the trophy will have earned it through one of the toughest paths in PKL history. The new format means no easy roads exist anymore – every team must prove themselves match after match.
With the capital city ready to host and eight teams ready to throw down, PKL Season 12 heads into its most exciting phase. October 31 can’t come soon enough.
