Puneri Paltan: PKL History, Achievements, Social Media and More

When the Pro Kabaddi League started in 2014, eight teams took part in this new kabaddi tournament. Among them was Puneri Paltan, representing the city of Pune in Maharashtra. Over twelve seasons, Puneri Paltan has become one of the most loved and respected teams in PKL history. Their story shows ups and downs, hard work, and finally winning the championship trophy.

Puneri Paltan is not just about winning matches. It is about representing Maharashtra’s kabaddi culture, giving chances to young players, and creating memories for millions of fans. From finishing last in their first two seasons to becoming PKL champions in Season 10, Puneri Paltan has shown what it means to never give up.

Season 1 (2014): The Beginning

Puneri Paltan entered the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014 as one of the eight founding teams. The team was owned by Insurekot Sports and played their home matches at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. Their first season was very difficult. The team was led by Wazir Singh, who also played as the main raider.​

In their first PKL season, Puneri Paltan played 14 matches. They won only 2 matches and lost 12 matches. Their best raider was Wazir Singh who scored 87 raid points in 12 matches, while Manoj Kumar was their best defender with 17 tackle points in 14 matches. The team finished at the 8th position in the league table with just 17 points.​

This was a learning season for Puneri Paltan. They understood that kabaddi at the professional level needed better planning, stronger teamwork, and skilled players. However, the team built a small but loyal fan base in Pune who supported them through the tough times.

Season 2 (2015): Still Struggling

The second season of Pro Kabaddi League started in July 2015. Puneri Paltan hoped to improve their performance from Season 1. The team brought in new players and made some changes. Manjeet became an important player for the team during this season.​

However, Season 2 was not much better than Season 1. Puneri Paltan played 14 matches and won only 2 matches, lost 11 matches, and drew 1 match. They again finished at the 8th position, which was the last place in the league table. The team scored 21 points in total, which showed they were still finding their style of play.​

The results were disappointing, but Puneri Paltan did not lose hope. The management understood that building a successful team takes time. They started working on better scouting, training methods, and team building for future seasons.

Season 3 (2016): First Playoff Success

Season 3 in early 2016 was the turning point for Puneri Paltan. The team made big changes before the season started. They brought in experienced players like Manjeet Chhillar, Ajay Thakur, Deepak Niwas Hooda, and Surjeet Narwal. Manjeet Chhillar became the captain of the team.​

These changes worked very well. Puneri Paltan showed completely different performance in Season 3. The team was strong in both raiding and defense. Ajay Thakur and Deepak Hooda formed a powerful raiding combination, while Surjeet Narwal and Manjeet Chhillar made the defense very strong.​

In one match against Bengaluru Bulls, Puneri Paltan won 44-27. Manjeet Chhillar scored 8 points, Ajay Thakur scored 7 points, and Surjeet Narwal scored 6 points. This match showed how the team had improved. Puneri Paltan jumped to the second spot in the league table with this win.​

The team played 14 matches in Season 3. They won 7 matches, lost 4 matches, and drew 3 matches. With 48 points, they finished in 3rd position. In the playoffs, they reached the third-fourth place match. Puneri Paltan beat Bengal Warriors 43-19 to finish third in the competition. Deepak Niwas Hooda scored 12 raid points and Surjeet Narwal scored 8 tackle points in that match.​

Season 4 (2016): Keeping the Momentum

Just a few months after Season 3, PKL Season 4 started in June-July 2016. Puneri Paltan retained Manjeet Chhillar and Deepak Niwas Hooda before the auction. They also bought strong players like Nitin Tomar, Ajay Thakur, Ravinder Pahal, and Somvir Shekhar.​

The team continued their good form from Season 3. Ajay Thakur returned to the team and became one of their main raiders along with Nitin Tomar. The defense was led by Ravinder Pahal and other experienced defenders.​

Puneri Paltan won 6 matches, lost 6 matches, and drew 2 matches in 14 games. They finished in 4th position again with 42 points. The team reached the semifinals but lost to Patna Pirates 28-31 in a close match. Even though they did not reach the final, Puneri Paltan proved they were now one of the top teams in PKL.​

Season 5 (2017): Playoff Run

For Season 5 in 2017, Puneri Paltan kept Deepak Niwas Hooda as their main retained player. Deepak became the captain of the team. They also brought back strong players like Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Sandeep Narwal, Nitin Tomar, and Rajesh Mondal.​

Season 5 had 12 teams instead of 8, which made the competition much harder. Puneri Paltan played 22 matches. They won 15 matches, lost 7 matches. The team finished at 2nd position with 80 points.​

During the season, Puneri Paltan had some great performances. They beat Patna Pirates 47-42 in one match, showing they could defeat the strongest teams. Deepak Hooda led the team well with both his raiding and defensive skills.​

In the playoffs, Puneri Paltan beat UP Yoddha 40-38 in the first eliminator match. Then they faced Patna Pirates in another eliminator and lost 32-42. However, they came back and beat Telugu Titans 40-35 to finish third in the tournament. Deepak Hooda was named the best player of that match.​

Season 6 (2018): Missing the Playoffs

After two good seasons, Puneri Paltan faced a difficult time in Season 6. The team was led by captain Girish Maruti Ernak. Nitin Tomar was their main raider, supported by GB More and other players.​

Puneri Paltan started the season well. They beat Haryana Steelers 34-22 in one of their early matches. Nitin Tomar scored 7 points, GB More scored 6 points, and Deepak Kumar Dahiya scored 5 points. The team also defeated U Mumba 32-32 in a tie match.​

However, the team could not keep up their good form. Nitin Tomar got injured after playing eight matches, which hurt the team badly. Without their main raider, Puneri Paltan struggled to score enough raid points. They played 22 matches, won 8 matches, lost 12 matches, and drew 2 matches. With 52 points, they finished at 4th position and missed the playoffs.​

In their last match of Season 6, Puneri Paltan beat Telugu Titans 35-20. GB More scored 10 points in that match, and six out of seven starting players scored points. This win showed the team had talent, but they needed better planning for the full season.​

Season 7 (2019): Another Rebuilding Year

Before Season 7 started in 2019, Puneri Paltan made a big decision. They did not retain any player from the previous season and decided to build a completely new team. The team hired Anup Kumar, the famous kabaddi player and former Indian captain, as their head coach.​

At the player auction, Puneri Paltan bought Nitin Tomar for Rs. 1.20 crore, making him their most expensive player. They also signed Manjeet for Rs. 63 lakh, Surjeet Singh for Rs. 56 lakh, and Girish Ernak for Rs. 33 lakh. Surjeet Singh became the captain of the team.​

Force Motors came in as the principal sponsor of Puneri Paltan for Season 7. This showed that companies believed in the team even during difficult times.​

The new team took time to settle down. Puneri Paltan won their first match of the season by beating Patna Pirates 41-20 at the Patliputra Stadium in Patna. Pankaj Mohite scored 8 raid points and Amit Kumar scored 4 tackle points in that match.​

However, the team could not maintain consistency. They played 22 matches, won 7 matches, lost 12 matches, and drew 3 matches. Puneri Paltan finished at 10th position with 48 points and missed the playoffs again.​

Season 8 (2021-22): Back in the Playoffs

After a two-year gap because of the pandemic, PKL returned with Season 8 in 2021-22. Puneri Paltan made smart decisions before the season. They retained Pawan Kumar Kadian, Hadi Tajik, and Balasaheb Shahji Jadhav as elite retained players. Nitin Tomar became the captain.​

The team brought in strong raiders like Rahul Chaudhari along with Nitin Tomar. The defense was led by Baldev Singh, Vishal Bhardwaj, and the Iranian player Hadi Tajik. Anup Kumar continued as the head coach.​

Puneri Paltan showed much better performance in Season 8. They won matches regularly and played good kabaddi. In one match, they beat Telugu Titans 34-33 in a close game. They also defeated Bengal Warriors 39-27, showing their strong team play.​

The team played 22 matches and won 12 matches, lost 9 matches, and drew 1 match. With 66 points, they finished at 6th position and qualified for the playoffs. This was a big achievement after missing playoffs in the previous two seasons.​

Schaeffler India became the associate sponsor of Puneri Paltan for Season 8, appearing as the ‘Powered By’ partner. This partnership showed the growing popularity of the team.​

Season 9 (2022): First Final Appearance

Season 9 of PKL in 2022 became the most successful season for Puneri Paltan until that time. The team made excellent decisions before the season started. They kept their young raiders Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat, who had performed very well in Season 8.​

At the auction, Puneri Paltan made a big move. They bought two Iranian stars – Fazel Atrachali for Rs. 1.38 crore and Mohammad Nabibakhsh for Rs. 87 lakh. Fazel Atrachali became the captain of the team.​

The combination of young raiders and experienced defenders worked perfectly. Aslam Inamdar scored 169 raid points and Mohit Goyat scored 159 raid points. They got good support from Pankaj Mohite and other raiders. The defense led by Fazel Atrachali, Sombir, Sanket Sawant, and Abinesh Nadarajan was very strong.​

Puneri Paltan had an amazing season. They played 22 matches and won 14 matches, lost 6 matches, and drew 2 matches. With 80 points, they finished at 2nd position in the league table. The team reached the final of PKL for the first time in their history.​

In the final match, Puneri Paltan faced Jaipur Pink Panthers. It was a very close and exciting match. However, Jaipur Pink Panthers won 33-29. Even though they lost, reaching the final was a huge achievement for Puneri Paltan. The team showed they had the quality to compete for the championship.​

The team had one of the youngest squads in Season 9, with an average age of 22 years. This showed that Puneri Paltan was building for the future with young talented players.​

Season 10 (2023-24): Becoming Champions

After coming so close in Season 9, Puneri Paltan came back stronger in Season 10. The team kept most of their core players. They retained Sombir and Abinesh Nadarajan as elite players, along with young players like Pankaj Mohite, Sanket Sawant, Aslam Inamdar, Mohit Goyat, and Akash Shinde.​

BC Ramesh returned as the head coach, replacing Anup Kumar. Aslam Inamdar became the captain of the team. At the auction, Puneri Paltan made a smart buy by signing Iranian defender Mohammadreza Chiyaneh.​

Season 10 was the best season in Puneri Paltan history. The team was strong in every department. Aslam Inamdar led from the front with both raiding and defense. He scored 142 raid points and 26 tackle points in 23 matches. Mohit Goyat and Pankaj Mohite supported him well in raiding.​

The defense became the best in the league. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh scored 99 tackle points, which was the highest by any defender in Season 10. Gaurav Khatri, Sombir, and Abinesh Nadarajan also played very well. Puneri Paltan recorded the most tackle points (349), the best average tackle points (14.5), and gave away the fewest all-outs (14) in the season.​

The team played 22 matches in the league stage. They won 17 matches, lost only 2 matches, and drew 3 matches. With 96 points, they finished at the top of the league table. This was the fewest defeats for any team in a season when the league had 22 games.​

In the playoffs, Puneri Paltan continued their strong performance. They reached the final and faced Haryana Steelers on March 1, 2024, at the GMC Balayogi Sports Complex in Hyderabad.​

The final was a close match. Puneri Paltan won 28-25 against Haryana Steelers. It was a complete team effort. Gaurav Khatri scored 4 tackle points, Pankaj Mohite scored 9 raid points, and Mohit Goyat scored 5 raid points. Captain Aslam Inamdar led the team brilliantly throughout the match.​​

After ten seasons of trying, Puneri Paltan finally became PKL champions. The win was emotional for the players, coaches, and fans. The team had worked very hard to reach this moment.​

Puneri Paltan dominated the awards for Season 10. Aslam Inamdar won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his all-round performance. Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh won the Defender of the Season award. These awards showed how well the team had played throughout the season.​

Season 11 (2024): Defending the Title

As defending champions, Puneri Paltan entered Season 11 with high hopes. They retained most of their championship-winning squad. Gaurav Khatri, Abinesh Nadarajan, Pankaj Mohite, Sanket Sawant, and other key players stayed with the team.​

However, there was one big change. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, who was the best defender in Season 10, left the team. To replace him, Puneri Paltan bought Vishal, Aman, and Mohit at the auction. Their most expensive buy was raider V Ajith Kumar for Rs. 66 lakh.​

BC Ramesh continued as the head coach, and Aslam Inamdar remained the captain. The team wanted to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Patna Pirates.​

Season 11 was more difficult for Puneri Paltan. The team missed the impact of Mohammadreza Chiyaneh in defense. Captain Aslam Inamdar also suffered an injury during the season, which affected the team’s performance.​

Puneri Paltan played 22 matches and won 9 matches, lost 10 matches, and drew 3 matches. With 60 points, they finished at 8th position. They missed the playoffs, which was disappointing after winning the championship in the previous season.​

Even though the season did not go as planned, players like Pankaj Mohite, Mohit Goyat, Gaurav Khatri, and Abinesh Nadarajan continued to perform well. The team learned from this season and started planning for the next one.

Season 12 (2025): Return to the Final

Puneri Paltan came back very strong in Season 12. The team made some changes. Ajay Thakur, the famous kabaddi player, became the head coach. Aslam Inamdar continued as captain.​

The team retained their core players including Abinesh Nadarajan, Gaurav Khatri, and Pankaj Mohite as elite retained players. They also kept young players like Aditya Shinde, Aslam Inamdar, Dadaso Pujari, and Mohit Goyat.​

At the auction, Puneri Paltan bought Sachin Tanwar for Rs. 1.057 crores to strengthen their raiding department. They also signed Iranian players Mohammad Nabibakhsh and Milad Mohajer, along with several other players.​

Season 12 was another excellent season for Puneri Paltan. The team played very good kabaddi throughout the tournament. Their defense was one of the strongest in the league, led by Gaurav Khatri and Abinesh Nadarajan. The raiders Mohit Goyat, Pankaj Mohite, and Aditya Shinde scored points regularly.​

Puneri Paltan played 18 matches in the league stage and won 13 matches, lost 5 matches, and drew no matches. With 26 points under the new points system, they finished at the top of the league table.​

In the playoffs, Puneri Paltan reached the final for the third time. They faced Dabang Delhi KC in the grand final on October 30, 2025. All three matches between these two teams during the season had gone into tiebreakers, which showed how close the competition was.​​

The final was a close and exciting match. Puneri Paltan fought hard but lost 28-31 to Dabang Delhi KC. It was disappointing to lose, but finishing as runners-up showed that Puneri Paltan was still one of the best teams in PKL.​​

This was Puneri Paltan’s third final appearance in four seasons (Season 9, 10, and 12). Very few teams in PKL history have reached the final so many times in such a short period.​

Season-wise Standings of Puneri Paltan

Season	Year	Total Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	League Standing
1	2014	14	2	12	0	17	8th
2	2015	14	2	11	1	21	8th
3	2016 (Jan-Feb)	14	7	4	3	48	3rd
4	2016 (Jun-Jul)	14	6	6	2	42	3rd
5	2017	22	15	7	0	80	2nd
6	2018	22	8	12	2	52	4th
7	2019	22	7	12	3	48	10th
8	2021-22	22	12	9	1	66	6th
9	2022	22	14	6	2	80	2nd (Runners-up)
10	2023-24	22	17	2	3	96	1st (Champions)
11	2024	22	9	10	3	60	8th
12	2025	18	13	5	0	26	1st (Runners-up)

Key Players Who Made Puneri Paltan Great

Many talented players have played for Puneri Paltan over the years. Some of them became legends and helped the team reach new heights.

Aslam Inamdar

Aslam Inamdar is the most important player in recent Puneri Paltan history. He started playing for the team as a young raider and became one of the best all-rounders in PKL. Aslam can raid very well and also help in defense.​

In Season 8, Aslam scored 169 raid points and showed everyone his talent. He continued his good form in Season 9 when the team reached the final. But his best season came in Season 10 when he scored 142 raid points and 26 tackle points. He led the team as captain and won the MVP award.​

Aslam has been the captain of Puneri Paltan since Season 10. Under his leadership, the team won their first championship and reached two more finals. He is calm, intelligent, and always leads by example on the kabaddi mat.​

Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh

Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh joined Puneri Paltan for Season 10 and changed their defense completely. The Iranian left corner defender was almost impossible to beat. His tackles were accurate and powerful.​

In Season 10, Chiyaneh scored 99 tackle points, which was the highest by any defender that season. He won the Defender of the Season award for his brilliant performance. His presence made the entire defense stronger and more confident.​

Chiyaneh’s contribution was very important in Puneri Paltan winning the championship. Even though he left the team after Season 10, his impact on the franchise will always be remembered.​

Pankaj Mohite 

Pankaj Mohite has been with Puneri Paltan for many seasons. He is known for his simple but effective raiding style. Pankaj does not try fancy moves but gets raid points regularly through smart play.​

Pankaj holds the record for most career raid points while playing for Puneri Paltan. In the Season 10 final, he scored 9 raid points, which was the highest in the match. His experience and calm nature help the team during pressure situations.​​

Pankaj continues to play for Puneri Paltan in Season 12. His loyalty to the team and consistent performance make him one of the most loved players among fans.​

Mohit Goyat 

Mohit Goyat is a young and fast raider who has played for Puneri Paltan since Season 8. He is known for his running hand touches and quick movements on the mat. Mohit can score points even in the most difficult situations.​

In Season 8, Mohit scored 159 raid points. He continued his good form in Season 9 and Season 10. In the Season 10 final, he scored 5 raid points to help his team win the championship.​

Mohit is retained by Puneri Paltan for multiple seasons, which shows the trust the team has in him. His partnership with other raiders creates problems for opposition defenses.​

Gaurav Khatri

Gaurav Khatri is a right corner defender who has become very important for Puneri Paltan. He is strong, smart, and takes very good decisions during matches. Gaurav can do different types of tackles and is difficult to escape.​

In the Season 10 final, Gaurav scored 4 tackle points, which helped Puneri Paltan win the championship. His consistency throughout the season made him one of the top defenders in PKL.​

Gaurav is one of the elite retained players for Puneri Paltan, showing how valuable he is for the team. His presence gives confidence to the entire defensive unit.​

Other Important Players

Many other players have contributed to Puneri Paltan’s success over the years:

• Ajay Thakur was a star raider in Season 3 and 4, helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time​
• Deepak Niwas Hooda led the team well in Season 5 as captain and all-rounder​
• Manjeet Chhillar captained the team in their breakthrough Season 3​
• Nitin Tomar was the main raider for many seasons and scored hundreds of raid points​
• Fazel Atrachali brought experience and strong defense in Season 9​
• Abinesh Nadarajan has been a reliable cover defender for multiple seasons​
• Sanket Sawant is a consistent left cover defender​

Coaches Who Shaped Puneri Paltan

Good coaching has been very important for Puneri Paltan’s success. Several coaches have worked with the team over the years.

Anup Kumar is one of the most famous coaches in Puneri Paltan history. He was a legendary kabaddi player and former Indian captain. Anup became the coach before Season 7 and stayed for several seasons. He brought his vast experience and knowledge to the team. Under his coaching, Puneri Paltan reached their first final in Season 9.​​

BC Ramesh has coached Puneri Paltan in multiple seasons. He was the coach when the team won the championship in Season 10. BC Ramesh understands kabaddi very well and knows how to bring out the best from players. He also coached the team in Season 11.​

Ajay Thakur became the head coach for Season 12. Ajay is a famous kabaddi player who played for Puneri Paltan in earlier seasons. His experience as a player and understanding of the game helped the team reach the final again.​

Ashok Shinde was the coach during Season 3 when Puneri Paltan made the playoffs for the first time. He played an important role in building the team’s winning culture.​

Puneri Paltan Owners and Management

Puneri Paltan is owned by Insurekot Sports Private Limited. This Mumbai-based company was founded on April 9, 2001. The company has three directors: Sumanlal Babulal Shah, Rajesh Harkishandas Doshi, and Karthi Kumar Venkatraman Marshan.​

Insurekot Sports was established in 2014 with the aim to help Indian sports grow. The company provides platforms and good infrastructure to young athletes so they can show their talent. Apart from owning Puneri Paltan in PKL, Insurekot Sports also owns teams in other sports.​

Kailash Kandpal is the CEO of Insurekot Sports Private Limited and manages Puneri Paltan. Under his leadership, the team has become one of the most professional franchises in PKL. The management focuses on finding young talent, building good team culture, and using smart strategies.​

The owners have shown their commitment to kabaddi by organizing various events. They run a program called ‘Bol Kabaddi’ which conducts kabaddi tournaments at college, school, and corporate levels. This helps in finding new kabaddi talent from across the country.​

Home Ground and Fan Support

Puneri Paltan plays their home matches at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. This stadium becomes very loud and exciting when Puneri Paltan plays there. The fans create an amazing atmosphere that motivates the team.​

The people of Pune and Maharashtra have always supported Puneri Paltan strongly. Even during the difficult early seasons when the team was losing matches, fans continued to come to the stadium and cheer for their team. This loyal support helped the team during tough times.

When Puneri Paltan reached the final in Season 9 and won the championship in Season 10, the celebrations in Pune were amazing. Thousands of fans gathered to welcome the team and celebrate with them. The bond between Puneri Paltan and their fans is very special.

Social Media Presence

Puneri Paltan has a strong presence on social media platforms. The team uses social media to connect with fans, share updates, and create engaging content.

On Instagram, Puneri Paltan has around 550,000 to 553,000 followers. This makes them one of the most followed PKL teams on Instagram. The team regularly posts match highlights, player interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and promotional material. Their engagement rate is good, with posts getting thousands of likes and comments.​

On YouTube, Puneri Paltan has their official channel with around 165,000 subscribers. The channel posts match highlights, player profiles, training videos, and other kabaddi content. The videos help fans stay connected with the team even when matches are not happening.​

On Facebook, Puneri Paltan has around 835,000 followers. The team uses Facebook to share updates, photos, and videos. The platform has many fans from different age groups who interact with the team’s content.​

On Twitter (X), Puneri Paltan has around 123,000 followers. They use this platform for quick updates, live match commentary, and interacting with fans during matches.​

The total social media following of Puneri Paltan across all platforms is around 1.4 to 1.5 million. This shows the growing popularity of the team. After winning the championship in Season 10, the social media following has increased even more.​

Puneri Paltan’s social media team creates good content that keeps fans engaged. They post regularly and respond to fans’ comments and messages. This helps in building a strong community of Puneri Paltan supporters online.

Overall Achievements and Records

Puneri Paltan holds some impressive records in Pro Kabaddi League history:

• First PKL Title: Won in Season 10 (2023-24) by defeating Haryana Steelers 28-25​
• Runners-up Finishes: 2 times (Season 9 and Season 12)​
• Third Place Finishes: 2 times (Season 3 and Season 4)​
• Most Final Appearances in Recent Seasons: 3 finals in 4 seasons (Season 9, 10, 12)​
• Best League Stage Performance: Season 10 with 18 wins and only 2 losses in 22 matches​
• Fewest Defeats in a Season: Only 2 losses in Season 10​
• Most Tackle Points by a Defender: Mohammadreza Chiyaneh with 99 tackle points in Season 10​
• MVP Award: Aslam Inamdar in Season 10​
• Defender of the Season: Mohammadreza Chiyaneh in Season 10​

Puneri Paltan has become much more than just a kabaddi team. They represent the pride of Pune and Maharashtra. The team shows that with patience, hard work, and smart planning, success will come.

From the difficult early days to the championship glory in Season 10, Puneri Paltan has written an amazing story. They have given joy to millions of fans, inspired young kabaddi players, and helped PKL become more popular.

The three final appearances in four seasons show that Puneri Paltan is now one of the best teams in PKL. With a strong squad, good management, excellent coaching, and passionate fans, the team is ready to win more titles in the future.​

Puneri Paltan’s journey teaches us important lessons about never giving up, working as a team, and believing in yourself. The team that once finished last has now become champions. This is the true spirit of sports and the true spirit of Puneri Paltan.