Defending champions Puneri Paltan is set to put up a challenge in Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) as they look to become just the second team to successfully defend their PKL crown. Having been one of the most consistent teams in recent years, Puneri Paltan secured 19 victories in PKL 10, including the playoffs, setting a new record for the most wins in a single season.
With appearances in six out of the ten PKL playoffs, Puneri Paltan will once again be led by their head coach BC Ramesh, in his third consecutive campaign. Ramesh, one of the league’s most successful coaches, has two PKL titles to his name—one with Bengal Warriors in Season 7 and another with Puneri Paltan in Season 10. He was also the assistant coach when the Bengaluru Bulls lifted the trophy in Season 6.
Heading into PKL 11, Puneri Paltan retained most of their core squad, opting for minimal activity at the player auction. Their most notable acquisition was raider V Ajith Kumar for INR 66 lakhs, along with eight other players. Let’s take a closer look at their squad as they prepare to defend their title in the upcoming season.
Strengths: Star raiders and PKL-winning players
Puneri Paltan’s main strength for Season 11 lies in retaining the core group of players from their title-winning squad. In attack, the team has kept key players like Pankaj Mohite, Mohit Goyat, and Akash Shinde, who collectively scored 274 raid points last season, playing crucial roles at key moments.
Their defensive lineup is also challenging, with stars from last season such as Sanket Sawant, Abinesh Nadarajan, and Gaurav Khatri continuing in the squad. The Paltan defence was rock-solid in PKL 10, accumulating the most tackle points (349), the best average tackle points (14.5), and conceding the fewest all-outs (14).
Moreover, the presence of their skipper and last season’s MVP, Aslam Inamdar, adds further strength. Aslam’s all-rounder abilities helped him secure 142 raid points and 26 tackle points last season, and he will be aiming for even better stats this season.
Weaknesses: Lack of defensive powerhouse
Despite retaining most of their squad, Puneri Paltan will miss the services of star Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Chiyaneh in PKL 11. Chiyaneh was a crucial figure in their PKL 10 campaign, topping the tackle points chart (99) and adding 27 raid points as well. His departure leaves a big gap in the defence, and it remains to be seen whether the new defenders brought in during the player auction can fill the void.
Opportunities: V Ajith Kumar might capitalise
V Ajith Kumar, after a below-par season last year where he managed just 80 raid points, will be looking to make a strong comeback in Season 11. With 460 raid points to his name overall, Ajith is eager to regain his top form for Puneri Paltan this season. Mohd. Amaan, a promising left-corner defender, will also be looking to make an impact after impressing in the domestic circuit, and he is expected to debut in PKL 11.
Threats: Presence of inexperienced defenders
The left side of Puneri Paltan’s defence could be a weak spot, especially after Chiyaneh’s departure. Though the team has acquired defenders like Vishal, Aman, and Mohit, none were particularly outstanding last season. Vishal secured just 12 tackle points, while Aman managed 22. If these players fail to rise to the occasion, the defence could struggle, potentially weakening Puneri Paltan’s title defence.
