The PKL 12 is set to begin from August 29 with exciting matches on the cards. With a renewed energy after the Player Auction, teams are set to go all out for the title glory.
In this article, let us have a look at the top raiders to look for at PKL 12.
PKL 12: Top Raiders To Look For Ft. Naveen Kumar
Devank Dalal
Devank Dalal was not retained by Patna Pirates ahead of the Player Auction 2025. He, then, became one of the most sought-after agents and Bengal Warriorz did not miss the opportunity to acquire him.
Prirates tried to use the Final Bid Match card to get him back. But Warriorz went all guns blazing by increasing the bid and eventually netting him for Rs 2.205 cr. He is going to be the top player to watch out for. A former member of the Indian Army, Dalal boast of a remarkable strength in both his body and mind. He showed in the 71st Senior Nationals finals, when the match was moved to a tie-breaker, and it was the calmness of the man from Rohtak that guided Services to the title.
Akash Shinde
The auction wasn’t just about players switching jerseys — coaches did too, and some brought their trusted lieutenants along. One such duo is Coach BC Ramesh and star raider Akash Shinde, both making the move from Puneri Paltan to Bengaluru Bulls.
Shinde played a vital role in Paltan’s success in Seasons 9 and 10. Now 24, he steps into a leadership role with the Bulls’ young and relatively inexperienced raiding unit — especially crucial with rising star Pirati Srisivatejesh ruled out. Akash will be pivotal in sharing the raiding workload and keeping the attack sharp throughout matches.
Parteek Dahiya
Parteek Dahiya is set to spearhead the Gujarat Giants’ raiding department this season. Coming from a Kabaddi-rich lineage — his maternal uncle being PKL legend Deepak Hooda — Parteek brings both pedigree and potential.
After a sensational debut in Season 9 where he scored 183 points, the 23-year-old hit a rough patch last season. But the Giants have shown faith by retaining him, and under a new coaching setup, he’ll look to bounce back. With Mohammadreza Shadloui now anchoring the defense, Parteek will need to carry the scoring burden and lead from the front.
Naveen Kumar
In one of the biggest surprises of the auction, defending champions Haryana Steelers made a late but decisive move — securing the services of star raider Naveen Kumar, who entered the PKL auction for the first time in his career.
Despite recent injury concerns, Naveen remains one of the most dangerous raiders in the league. Haryana’s coach, Manpreet Singh, is banking on him to bolster an already formidable squad. With a solid core in place, the 25-year-old will have more freedom to express his natural game. Fans will be hoping for the full-speed return of the “Naveen Express.”
Also Read: PKL 12: SWOT Analysis Of Telugu Titans
Arjun Deshwal
Arjun Deshwal, the highest point-scorer over the past four PKL seasons, will now don the Tamil Thalaivas jersey. His move marks a turning point for a franchise that has seen legends like Ajay Thakur and Rahul Chaudhari but still struggled to find consistent success.
Now under the guidance of his longtime mentor, Coach Sanjeev Baliyan, Arjun will aim to take the Thalaivas to new heights. Even Mohammadreza Shadloui, PKL’s top defender in recent years, has admitted that Arjun is the toughest raider he’s faced. With support from fellow stars like Pawan Sehrawat and Narender Kandola, the 26-year-old — and honorary DSP — will look to lead from the front and transform Thalaivas into genuine title contenders.
