PKL 12: Can UP Yoddhas win their Pro Kabaddi League Title for the First Time?
There is a popular saying in Hindi which I would roughly translate for you which states “Uttar Pradesh means the state full of all possibilities” but that exact possibility is currently in radar for UP Yoddhas who would be looking to deliver quality performance on the mat and deliver exceptional Kabaddi Skills in order to register their first Pro Kabaddi League Title.
Here in this article we will reveal UP Yoddhas full Squad for PKL 12 and decode one line each about them along with Strength, Weakness and Expectation to be shared in the below format:
UP Yoddhas Complete Squad for PKL 12:
Guman Singh, Dong Geon Lee, Pranay Rane, Bhavan Rajput, Surender Gill, Gagan Gowda, Shivam Choudhary, Keshav Kumar and Jatin. (All are Raiders)
Mohammadreza Kaboudharangi, Mahender Singh, Ronak, Sumit, Ashu Sngh, Sahul Kumar, Hitesh, Jayesh Mahajan, Gangaram and Sachin(All Defenders)
Let’s decode about each of these players one by one in sequential Format:
Guman Singh – A powerful lead raider with a strong running hand touch and proven PKL match-winning ability.
Dong Geon Lee – A Korean import with sharp movement and fearless raiding instincts, adds international flavor.
Pranay Rane – Quick-footed raider with bonus-hunting ability and calmness in pressure situations.
Bhavani Rajput – An athletic raider known for his agility and ability to break through defensive chains.
Surender Gill – Star performer with a mix of speed, game IQ, and the ability to dominate in do-or-die raids.
Gagan Gowda – An emerging name in raiding who brings raw power and youthful hunger to the mat.
Shivam Choudhary – Promising young raider with potential to deliver in second raiding role.
Keshav Kumar – Strategic raider with strong anticipation skills, best utilized in rotating raiding setups.
Jatin – Energetic and fearless raider, thrives in fast-paced game situations and quick escapes.
Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi – Iranian defensive powerhouse with elite blocking, thigh holds, and composure.
Mahender Singh – Left-cover specialist known for ankle holds and rock-solid defensive coordination.
Ronak – Gritty and consistent right-corner defender, effective in 1v1 situations.
Sumit – Veteran left-corner defender famous for his timely dashes and defensive awareness.
Ashu Singh – Agile right-corner with excellent body balance and confident tackling in super tackle situations.
Sahul Kumar – Physically dominant and aggressive defender who never shies away from a challenge.
Hitesh – Backup defender with good mat awareness and useful in strategic substitutions.
Jayesh Mahajan – Versatile defender capable of playing both corner and cover positions.
Gangaram – Raw talent with potential, needs more mat time to showcase his defensive value.
Sachin – Steady defender with good positioning, adds value as a team player in defense rotations.
Strength:
1. They have explosive raiding unit for PKL 12 including the likes of- Surender Gill, Guman Singh and Bhavani Rajput to bring firepower in their squad and all these players are proven match winner.
2. When it comes to gaining International Experience and Unpredicatability, Dong Geon Lee will add flavor in their squad.
3. They have exciting young talented raiders including the likes of- Gagan Gowda, Shivam Choudhary and Keshav Kumar to strengthen their instance in main event.
4. The defensive players like Mohammadreza Kabodhurang will add International Quality and depth in their squad.
5. Players like Mahender Singh, Sumit and Ashu Singh form a solid trio who can deliver for the franchise with immaculate consistency.
6. Sahul Kumar as player would bring tactical awareness and mind aspect of the game.
7. They have squad depth including the likes of-Ronak, Jayesh Mahajan and Hitesh who will create a formidable flexibility Option for them where they can pick and choose players based on the requirement of the game.
8. If you look at Current UP Yoddhas squad , they have all bases covered with specialist in Left Cover and Corner Positions.
Weakness:
1. There is always potential injury concern with some of the Top players in the squad so they need to make sure they are risk averse going ahead of PKL 12.
2. There is complete lack of 3rd Raider in the Squad with Guman and Surender Gill as main raider as backup options as 3rd Raider who could possibly be used in that squad.
3. They have unproven defenders in their squad which include- Gangaram, Jayesh Mahajan and Sachin if they get exposed, they hardly will have time to react.
4. Tactical Captaincy still remains a challenge for them, going forward so most probably having powerful leader in their squad.
5. Rotating players in offence and defence too often, would create bigger gap in their squad that could be widely exposed.
Expectations:
When it comes to Understanding the expectations, from them considering their formation, probable Playing 7 and star players and Strength and Weakness on offer team doesn’t look rock solid contender to enter in the playoffs.
For them to achieve desirable results they need to come to the party with immaculate consistency and grit in order to deliver best performance for the franchise in PKL 12.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q-1: What is the Biggest Concern for UP Yoddhas Going Forward? Who is most likley to lead them in PKL 12?
Answer: The Biggest Concern for UP Yoddhas Going Forward is shared in the below format:
a. Not Having back up defenders.
b. Not Having Enough Star Power in their Squad.
c-Tactically strong players
d- Not having more International Exposure.
e- Main every too much prone to Injuries.
Bhavani Rajput is most likely to lead them as leader or Surender Gill who is part of this franchise in last few seasons most likely to lead them in Upcoming Marquee Event.
Q-2: Talk a little bit about Coach Jasveer Singh Captaincy Style?
Answer: He is cool, calm and collective as coach and doesn’t show animated reactions on the mat, and very apt and calculative with his calculations and move to execute their strategy on the mat.
Jasveer Singh as Coach would be looking to extract best performance, from their team so that they can reach at the Playoffs.
Q-3: How Up Yoddhas could possibly dark horse for PKL 12?
Answer: UP Yoddhas could possibly become dark horse for PKL 12 provided all the players in offence and defence are clear about their roles and responsibilities and come together as one unit to do wonders for the franchise.
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is most likely to kick off on 17th August 2025, and with it begins yet another chapter in India’s most dynamic and fast-evolving sporting spectacle. This season, 12 top franchises will lock horns in what promises to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable editions in the history of the league. Each team is fully loaded with international stars, young talent, tactical coaches, and passionate fanbases – all hungry for that prestigious PKL crown.
The quality of kabaddi has improved remarkably over the years. From its initial seasons where raw strength and local talent dominated the mat, the sport has now evolved into a high-paced, tech-driven, and analytically rich game. The introduction of innovative rules, improved player fitness, and in-depth match strategies have added multiple dimensions to kabaddi, making it far more thrilling to watch and tougher to master.
Rule tweaks such as the revival of bonus points, do-or-die raids, and super tackle opportunities have kept both defenders and raiders on their toes, ensuring that no match is ever predictable. Teams now approach the game with detailed data analysis, video reviews, and pre-match simulations – all of which showcase how far the league has come since its inception in 2014.
Franchises like Patna Pirates, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Dabang Delhi, and Puneri Paltan have already set benchmarks by lifting the title, and now all eyes will be on franchises like Gujarat Giants and Telugu Titans who are desperately seeking their maiden championship. The level of competition has never been higher, and with international players like Mohammadreza Shadloui, Fazel Atrachali, and Dong Geon Lee in the mix, PKL 12 will truly be a global showcase of kabaddi.
As we count down to the season opener, the anticipation across fans, players, and teams continues to build. Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 isn’t just another tournament—it’s a celebration of India’s indigenous sport evolving into a global force.
Pro Kabaddi League came after ISL(India’s Top Tier League for Football) but the league has exponentially grown due to roles played by stakeholders behind the scenes to make this entity as extremely successful.
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is expected to bring more changes in terms of rules and regulations where the best players would be expecting to deliver quality output on the mat be it in offence or defence.
