PKL Winning Captain: Leaders Who Lifted the Pro Kabaddi League Trophy
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has been a thrilling platform for kabaddi since its start in 2014. Over its 11 seasons, several captains have led their teams to victory, earning their place in PKL history. These PKL winning captain have shown great leadership, guiding their teams to the coveted title. So, who are the captains to win the PKL title from Season 1 to Season 11, their achievements, and their impact on the sport.
The PKL has seen eight different teams win the title across 11 seasons, with Patna Pirates leading the pack with three consecutive victories. Each PKL winning captain has played a key role in their team’s success, whether through smart tactics, strong raids, or solid defense. From Navneet Gautam in Season 1 to Jaideep Dahiya in Season 11, these leaders have left a lasting mark. Let’s dive into the list of PKL winning captains and their remarkable journeys.
Season 1 (2014): Navneet Gautam – Jaipur Pink Panthers
In 2014, the first-ever PKL season, Navneet Gautam led Jaipur Pink Panthers to the title. The team defeated U Mumba 35-24 in the final in Mumbai. As a defender, Navneet Gautam ensured his team stayed strong, winning 10 of 14 league matches. Moreover, Maninder Singh’s 10 raid points in the final helped secure the victory. Navneet Gautam, a PKL winning captain, set the tone for the league’s competitive spirit.
Season 2 (2015): Anup Kumar – U Mumba
Next, in Season 2, Anup Kumar guided U Mumba to their first PKL title. They beat Bengaluru Bulls 36-30 in a close final. Anup Kumar, a skilled raider, led with smart captaincy, helping U Mumba win 12 of 14 league games. His calm leadership made him a standout PKL winning captain, bringing U Mumba their maiden trophy.
Season 3 (2016): Manpreet Singh – Patna Pirates
In Season 3, Manpreet Singh captained Patna Pirates to their first title, defeating U Mumba 31-28 in Delhi. Despite a tough league stage, Manpreet Singh’s leadership shone through, with the team securing 10 wins in 14 matches. Additionally, Pardeep Narwal’s 116 raid points made him the season’s top raider. Manpreet Singh, a PKL winning captain, laid the foundation for Patna’s dominance.
Season 4 (2016): Dharmaraj Cheralathan – Patna Pirates
Continuing their success, Patna Pirates won again in Season 4 under Dharmaraj Cheralathan. They defeated Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-29 in the final. Dharmaraj Cheralathan, a veteran defender, led with experience, guiding the team to 10 wins in 14 matches. Furthermore, Pardeep Narwal scored 133 raid points, while Fazel Atrachali added 45 tackle points. Dharmaraj Cheralathan’s role as a PKL winning captain was crucial.
Season 5 (2017): Pardeep Narwal – Patna Pirates
In Season 5, Pardeep Narwal led Patna Pirates to a historic third straight title, beating Gujarat Giants 55-38 in the final. Pardeep Narwal, a star raider, broke records with 369 raid points, including an 8-point raid against Haryana Steelers. As a PKL winning captain, his aggressive style and leadership earned him the MVP award, making Patna the most successful team.
Season 6 (2018): Rohit Kumar – Bengaluru Bulls
Moving to Season 6, Rohit Kumar captained Bengaluru Bulls to their first title, defeating Gujarat Giants 38-33 in the final. Rohit Kumar’s leadership, combined with Pawan Sehrawat’s 22 raid points in the final and 282 points overall, sealed the win. Pawan Sehrawat also won the MVP award. Rohit Kumar, a PKL winning captain, brought Bengaluru Bulls their long-awaited trophy.
Season 7 (2019): Maninder Singh – Bengal Warriors
In Season 7, Maninder Singh led Bengal Warriors to their first PKL title, beating Dabang Delhi K.C. 39-34 in the final. Although Maninder Singh missed the final due to injury, his leadership throughout the season was vital. Mohammad Nabibakhsh’s all-round performance in the final ensured victory. Maninder Singh’s role as a PKL winning captain marked a milestone for Bengal Warriors.
Season 8 (2021-22): Joginder Narwal – Dabang Delhi K.C.
Next, in Season 8, Joginder Narwal guided Dabang Delhi K.C. to their first title in a thrilling 37-36 win over Patna Pirates, the closest final in PKL history. Joginder Narwal, a defender, led a balanced team, with Naveen Kumar and Vijay scoring Super 10s in the final. Naveen Kumar also won the MVP award. Joginder Narwal, a PKL winning captain, delivered Delhi’s maiden title.
Season 9 (2022): Sunil Kumar – Jaipur Pink Panthers
In Season 9, Sunil Kumar captained Jaipur Pink Panthers to their second title, defeating Puneri Paltan 33-29 in the final. Sunil Kumar’s strong leadership, along with Arjun Deshwal’s 296 raid points and Ankush’s 89 tackle points, drove the team to success. As a PKL winning captain, Sunil Kumar brought Jaipur their second trophy.
Season 10 (2023-24): Aslam Inamdar – Puneri Paltan
In Season 10, Aslam Inamdar led Puneri Paltan to their first PKL title, beating Haryana Steelers 28-25 in a low-scoring final. Aslam Inamdar, an all-rounder, was also the season’s MVP, supported by Gaurav Khatri’s four tackle points and Pankaj Mohite’s nine raid points. Aslam Inamdar’s role as a PKL winning captain marked Puneri Paltan’s breakthrough.
Season 11 (2024): Jaideep Dahiya – Haryana Steelers
Finally, in Season 11, Jaideep Dahiya captained Haryana Steelers to their first title, defeating Patna Pirates 32-23 in the final on December 29, 2024, in Pune. Jaideep Dahiya led the defense, with Mohammadreza Shadloui’s five tackle points and Shivam Patare’s nine total points securing the win. Jaideep Dahiya, a PKL winning captain, brought Haryana their maiden trophy.
The PKL winning captains have shaped the league’s history with their leadership and skills. Patna Pirates’ three titles under Manpreet Singh, Dharmaraj Cheralathan, and Pardeep Narwal highlight their dominance. Meanwhile, Jaipur Pink Panthers won twice under Navneet Gautam and Sunil Kumar. Other captains, like Anup Kumar, Rohit Kumar, and Jaideep Dahiya, led their teams to their first titles, showing the league’s competitive nature.
Moreover, these PKL winning captains come from diverse backgrounds. Some, like Pardeep Narwal and Maninder Singh, are star raiders, while others, like Dharmaraj Cheralathan and Jaideep Dahiya, are defensive stalwarts. Their ability to unite their teams and perform in high-pressure finals makes them true leaders.
The role of a PKL winning captain goes beyond lifting the trophy. They inspire fans, guide young players, and promote kabaddi across India. For example, Pardeep Narwal’s record-breaking raids in Season 5 made him a household name, while Anup Kumar’s calm leadership earned him respect. These captains have helped PKL grow into a global sport, with millions of fans tuning in each season.
Additionally, the success of PKL winning captains shows the importance of teamwork. Each captain relied on their teammates, whether it was Pawan Sehrawat’s raids for Bengaluru Bulls or Naveen Kumar’s Super 10s for Dabang Delhi. Their ability to build strong teams is a key reason for their success.
The PKL winning captains have left an indelible mark on the Pro Kabaddi League. From Navneet Gautam’s historic win in Season 1 to Jaideep Dahiya’s triumph in Season 11, these leaders have shown what it takes to win a PKL title. Their stories of hard work, leadership, and teamwork inspire fans and players alike. As PKL Season 12 continues in 2025, fans eagerly await the next PKL winning captain to join this elite list.
FAQs About PKL Winning Captain
1. Who are the PKL winning captains with multiple titles?
Only Jaipur Pink Panthers (Navneet Gautam in Season 1 and Sunil Kumar in Season 9) and Patna Pirates (Manpreet Singh in Season 3, Dharmaraj Cheralathan in Season 4, and Pardeep Narwal in Season 5) have won multiple titles under different captains.
2. Which PKL winning captain led Patna Pirates to three titles?
Patna Pirates won three titles under three different PKL winning captains: Manpreet Singh (Season 3), Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Season 4), and Pardeep Narwal (Season 5).
3. Who was the PKL winning captain in Season 11?
Jaideep Dahiya was the PKL winning captain in Season 11, leading Haryana Steelers to a 32-23 victory over Patna Pirates in the final on December 29, 2024.
