New Delhi, Nov 1 (NationPress) As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) wrapped up its 12th season on Friday, Rishank Devadiga shared insights on Dabang Delhi K.C.'s triumphant title win. He highlighted the remarkable performances of the finalists, the teamwork that led to an unforgettable championship, and his discussions with Delhi’s coach Joginder Narwal.

Dabang Delhi K.C. clinched the title with a narrow 31-28 victory over Puneri Paltan in the finals. This achievement marks their second PKL title, the first being in Season 8 when current head coach Joginder Narwal was the captain.

During an interview on JioStar’s ‘KBD Live’, Devadiga expressed, “Winning the trophy brings an unparalleled feeling after years of hard work. The final match is filled with deep emotions, especially since each player had their unique journey. Fazel Atrachali, Surjeet Singh, and Saurabh Nandal each had their distinct stories, with Nandal experiencing his first PKL final. Captain Ashu Malik led Dabang Delhi K.C. to their second Pro Kabaddi League trophy, showcasing how these individual journeys merged to create a strong team that ultimately triumphed over Puneri Paltan.”

With this victory, Dabang Delhi joins Patna Pirates and Jaipur Pink Panthers as teams with multiple PKL titles.

Regarding Dabang Delhi's hard-earned victory, Devadiga stated, “Kabaddi requires exceptional fitness, as shown by veterans like Fazel Atrachali. Captain Ashu Malik has emerged as a key player this season. Delhi started the final with strong dominance, but injuries to their skipper tested their steadiness against Puneri Paltan. Despite these challenges, the team showed resilience to achieve the win. I believe Delhi will overcome these hurdles and return stronger next season to compete for their third PKL title.”

Both teams showcased resilience and skill to reach the final. Dabang Delhi, the Season 8 champions, narrowly defeated Puneri Paltan in a tense Qualifier 1, winning 6–4 in the tiebreaker after a 34–34 draw in regulation time. Puneri Paltan’s journey has been notably impressive, leading the league standings and excelling in both offense and defense.

Commenting on the final match-up, Devadiga noted, “On paper, and based on seasonal performance, Puneri Paltan appeared stronger. However, Delhi’s experienced players outperformed Pune’s younger squad. The match ultimately came down to a crucial mistake by Aditya Shinde; had he attempted a running hand touch instead of going too deep against Saurabh Nandal, he might have scored successfully. That single point could have tied the game, which we were all eagerly anticipating. Nevertheless, Dabang Delhi emerged victorious and claimed the trophy.”

Under captain Ashu Malik and coach Joginder Narwal, Delhi’s strategy centered on robust defense and mental resilience, often succeeding under pressure. Further elaborating on the game plan, he remarked, “While both teams were deserving finalists, Dabang Delhi proved to be more worthy through their outstanding execution. They entered the match with a well-defined strategy and implemented it flawlessly from the outset. By establishing an early lead, they exerted immediate pressure on Puneri Paltan, whose younger players tend to struggle when trailing. Delhi’s ability to execute their plan from the first whistle is what ultimately secured them their second Pro Kabaddi League championship.”

Devadiga also mentioned a conversation he had with coach Narwal after the match, who dedicated the trophy to Surjeet Singh, praising his dedication to winning the PKL title for ten years.

“I spoke with Coach Joginder Narwal after the match, and he specifically dedicated this trophy to Surjeet Singh, who has been pursuing this PKL title for a decade. His stellar performance in the final and consistent contributions throughout the season made him truly deserving of this moment. Kudos also to Fazel Atrachali for executing that decisive final tackle, which clinched the championship for Delhi,” Devadiga concluded.