Season 9 of the Pro Kabaddi League begins on October 7 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. A total of twelve teams will fight for the trophy over the next three months, with matches hosted in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. With updated lineups and intense preparation, the teams are ready for an action-packed season. The opening match will see the current champions, Dabang Delhi, face off against U Mumba.
The ninth season of the Pro Kabaddi League gets underway on October 7 at Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Twelve teams will participate in PKL 9, which is set to be played across three venues in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. Teams with a new look will battle over three months to clinch the title. Fans are going to witness mouth-watering battles as all 12 teams are in full swing. Defending champions Dabang Delhi take on U Mumba in the season-opener.
While the raiders aim for aggressive precision and defenders strive for an unbreakable wall, the burden of victory often falls on the all-rounders, who must be elite in both offensive and defensive play. Their versatility allows teams to be more flexible with their strategies and combinations, making these players true game-changers on the mat. Here are the top three all-rounders to watch in PKL 9.
First up is Vijay, a cornerstone of the Dabang Delhi squad during their previous championship run. His steady performance was instrumental in their title win. While he is primarily a raiding threat—netting 157 raid points and five tackle points last season—his overall track record shows a strong defensive side, with 69 tackle points accumulated over his career. Following his success in PKL 8, Vijay is now focused on surpassing his previous scoring records.
Coming in at number two is Deepak Niwas Hooda of the Bengal Warriors. As one of the few veterans to have played in every single PKL season, Hooda brings immense experience to the game. He is equally adept at raiding and defending, possessing the tactical intelligence to adapt his playstyle to whatever the match requires. Last season, he recorded 117 raid points and three tackle points. Over his career, the 28-year-old has amassed an impressive total of 973 raid points and 90 tackle points.
Mohammad Nabibakhsh stands out as one of the premier international talents in the league. The Iranian powerhouse has been exceptional for the Bengal Warriors over the past two seasons, contributing 181 raid points and 49 tackle points. Now, alongside Fazel Atrachali, he aims to lead Puneri Paltan toward a Pro Kabaddi championship.