Bengaluru Bulls have engineered one of the most remarkable mid-season turnarounds in PKL Season 12. After a difficult start, the team, now led by captain Yogesh Dahiya and coach BC Ramesh, has found rhythm with a defense-first strategy.
The Bulls have secured 5 wins in their last 6 matches, rocketing them into the top half of the league standings.
This article provides the full squad, analysis of the pivotal mid-season changes, updated player stats, and the remaining schedule as the Bulls push for a playoff spot.
Read on for all the details about Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 2025!
Bengaluru Bulls PKL 2025 At A Glance
The Bengaluru Bulls are entering Season 12 with renewed motivation after a disappointing last season. The Bulls are one of the most successful teams in PKL history. Their first trophy was won by defeating the Gujarat Fortune Giants in the 2018-19 season 6.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Captain | Yogesh Dahiya (Appointed mid-season, replacing Ankush Rathee) |
| Head Coach | BC Ramesh |
| Home Venue | Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Titles | 1 – Season 6 (2018) |
| First Match 2025 | Bengaluru Bulls vs. Puneri Paltan. (Aug 29) |
| Current Standing | After 9 matches – 6th |
| Last Season Recap | Finished 12th in Season 11 |
Now with only 1 trophy of season 6 and ending up at 12th position after winning only 2 matches and a draw out of 22 games in the 11th season, the team is under huge pressure to get back in shape and justify the expectations of their passionate fanbase.
The Rise & Dip Of Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls started their PKL journey in 2014. The early years were difficult. They reached the semifinals in the first season. The team was also the runner-up to U Mumba in 2015 but couldn’t win the title.
Their golden moment came in 2018. Pawan Sehrawat produced a raiding masterclass to lead Bengaluru Bulls to their maiden title in Season 6. Sehrawat scored 22 raid points as Bengaluru Bulls beat Gujarat Fortunegiants 38-33 in a thrilling final. He won the MVP award that season.
The Bulls also have great home support. Fans at Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium create a loud atmosphere. The home crowd is pleased, and they never forget their unconditional support. This support gives the team extra energy in close matches.
Recent years have been tough. The team finished 12th last season with only two wins. The 2025 squad has new players and a returning coach. They hope to get back to winning ways with better raids and stronger defense.
2025 PKL Season Analysis: Bengaluru Bulls
The Bulls’ Season 12 journey has been a story of radical mid-season change. After starting with three losses, the management made a critical decision, which was that Ankush Rathee was replaced by Yogesh Dahiya as captain.
This move proved catalytic. Yogesh’s leadership and brilliant Right Corner play, combined with the emergence of young defender Deepak Sankar, have transformed the unit.
The Bulls now average 12.2 successful tackle points in their wins, demonstrating the success of the defense-first strategy.
Raid concerns have been partially addressed by the resurgence of Akash Shinde and the impressive performance of Iranian all-rounder Alireza Mirzaian, who is proving to be a Do-or-Die specialist.
With a 5-win, 4-loss record after 9 matches, the Bulls have executed a major turnaround and are now strong contenders for a playoff berth, silencing critics who predicted another basement finish.
BC Ramesh is returning as head coach, with fresh ideas and a heavy focus on defense. Ramesh is focusing on forming one of the best defensive units, which makes sense given their weak tackle success rate of just 36% last season.
Most Expensive Defender At The Auction In Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls went big on defense at the auction. They made Yogesh Dahiya their most expensive signing ever. Yogesh was bought for a whopping INR 1.125 crore, which makes him the most expensive Indian defender in the competition’s history.
Other than the two Iranian All-rounders, the team also picked up budget options like Sachin, Sahil Rane, and Amit Thakur for ₹0.09 crore each to add squad depth.
Top acquisitions:
- Yogesh Dahiya – right corner and marquee defender – ₹1.125 crore
- Sanjay Dhull – right cover specialist – ₹0.6 crore
- Akash Shinde – lead raider – ₹0.531 crore
- Dheeraj – left cover backup – ₹0.402 crore
- Ankush Rathee – captain and left corner – ₹0.3 crore
- Alireza Mirzaian – Iranian all-rounder – ₹0.14 crore
Bengaluru Bulls focused on building the strongest defense possible. Yogesh has racked up 149 tackle points in 45 matches in the last two seasons and will lead the corner positions.
Players like Manish, Satyappa Matti, and Shubham Bitake were secured at base prices. This mix gives coach BC Ramesh options to rotate players based on opponent strengths.
Bengaluru Bulls Full Squad List 2025
Bengaluru Bulls is a 23-man squad with a mix of young players with experienced members. Two international talents also mix in, the Iranian all-rounders Ahmad Reza Asgari and Alireza Mirzaian, who mix in with defence specialists and raiders with more all-rounders.
| No. | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankush Rathee | Defender, Captain |
| 2 | Akash Shinde | Raider |
| 3 | Pankaj | Raider |
| 4 | Lucky Kumar | Defender |
| 5 | Sanjay | Defender |
| 6 | Yogesh | Defender |
| 7 | Chandranik M | All-Rounder |
| 8 | Aashish Malik | Raider |
| 9 | Ganesha Hanamantagol | Raider |
| 10 | Mahipal | Raider |
| 11 | Manjeet Thakur | Raider |
| 12 | Shubham Bitake | Raider |
| 13 | Deepak Sankar | Defender |
| 14 | Manish | Defender |
| 15 | Satyappa Matti | Raider |
| 16 | Shubham Rahate | Defender |
| 17 | Ahmad Reza Asgari | All-Rounder |
| 18 | Alireza Mirzaian | All-Rounder |
| 19 | Amit Thakur | All-Rounder |
| 20 | Dheeraj | All-Rounder |
| 21 | Jitender Yadav | All-Rounder |
| 22 | Sachin | All-Rounder |
| 23 | Sahil Rane | All-Rounder |
With 10 defenders and 7 all-rounders, this squad prioritizes stopping opponent raids first. Coach BC Ramesh can rotate players easily while maintaining the team’s defensive strength and structure.
Captain Yogesh Dahiya: The Mid-Season Catalyst
The most impactful change for Bengaluru Bulls this season was the mid-season appointment of Yogesh Dahiya as captain, replacing Ankush Rathee after the team’s initial struggles.
This decision has been an overwhelming success, with the team winning 5 of the 6 matches under his leadership. Yogesh, the team’s most expensive signing, has led the defensive revolution.
In 9 matches, he has accumulated 25 tackle points with a 49% success rate and 2 High 5s. His ability to guide the defense, particularly in the right corner, has been instrumental in the Bulls’ climb up the standings.
Ankush Rathee remains a valuable defender in the squad, but Yogesh Dahiya is the current, active leader.
The Bulls finished last season with terrible defense. Now they need someone who can organize the back line and make fewer mistakes. Ankush proves better without the captain’s responsibility to pull off god defence.
Bengaluru Bulls 2025 PKL Schedule
The Bulls play across four cities this season. They started with a 32-32 draw against Puneri Paltan. Now they face tough teams like Delhi and U Mumba early, so quick adjustments are needed.
Vizag (Vishwanadh Sports Club)
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Dabang Delhi K.C. | 20:00 IST |
| Sep 5 | Bengaluru Bulls vs U Mumba | 20:00 IST |
| Sep 6 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Patna Pirates | 20:00 IST |
| Sep 8 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Haryana Steelers | 20:00 IST |
Jaipur (SMS Indoor Stadium)
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 12 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers | 20:00 IST |
| Sep 15 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans | 21:00 IST |
| Sep 16 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas | 21:00 IST |
| Sep 22 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Gujarat Giants | 20:00 IST |
| Sep 25 | Bengaluru Bulls vs UP Yoddhas | 20:00 IST |
Chennai (SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium)
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Puneri Paltan | 20:00 IST |
| Oct 5 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas | 21:00 IST |
Delhi (Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium)
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 11 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers | 20:00 IST |
| Oct 12 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Bengal Warriorz | 21:00 IST |
| Oct 16 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Patna Pirates | 19:30 IST |
| Oct 18 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Dabang Delhi K.C. | 19:30 IST |
| Oct 22 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Bengal Warriorz | 20:30 IST |
| Oct 23 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Gujarat Giants | 19:30 IST |
The Delhi leg has six matches in two weeks. Smart player rotation will be key. Strong wins in Jaipur and Chennai can help the Bulls climb up from last season’s bottom position.
Where To Watch Bengaluru Bulls PKL 2025 Matches
Pro Kabbadi League will stream across multiple channels in multiple languages. If you missed Season 11, it is also available to watch on JioHotstar.
| No. | Platform / Channel | Type | Languages Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JioHotstar | Streaming | English + regional commentary |
| 2 | Star Sports 1 / 1 HD | TV | English |
| 3 | Star Sports 2 / 2 HD | TV | English |
| 4 | Star Sports 1 Hindi / 1 Hindi HD | TV | Hindi |
| 5 | Star Sports 1 Tamil | TV | Tamil |
| 6 | Star Sports 1 Telugu | TV | Telugu |
| 7 | Star Sports 1 Kannada | TV | Kannada |
If you miss a game, JioHotstar will upload highlights soon after the game ends, plus Star Sports usually airs reshows of ongoing leagues, so keep a watch for that schedule!
Bulls To Watch Out For In Bengaluru This Season Of PKL
These players will decide how far Bengaluru Bulls can go in Season 12. They bring tackles, raids, and experience, and can change the game when it matters most.
1. Yogesh Dahiya (Captain & Right Corner): The team’s new captain and defensive anchor. Yogesh has led by example, racking up 25 tackle points and 2 High 5s in 9 matches while dramatically improving the team’s defensive structure. His leadership has been the key factor in the Bulls’ turnaround.
2. Deepak Sankar (Cover Defender): The breakout star of the season, Deepak Sankar has quickly become one of the league’s top cover defenders. He has been a superb complement to Yogesh, securing 24 tackle points and 2 High 5s in just 8 matches with a stellar 57% success rate. He is crucial for middle defense.
3. Akash Shinde (Lead Raider): Akash remains the primary raider, providing consistent points. Though his exact point tally varies, he has maintained good form and proved he can handle the main raiding duties. His reliable presence in the attack allows the defense to play with confidence.
4. Alireza Mirzaian (All-Rounder/Support Raider): The Iranian all-rounder has been the dark horse of the attack. His efficiency in pressure situations is noteworthy; he leads the team in Do-or-Die raid points and provides essential support to Shinde, ensuring the attack doesn’t become one-dimensional.
5. Ankush Rathee (Left Corner): Despite the change in captaincy, Ankush remains a top-tier defender. With 232 career tackle points, he is vital for his experience and ability to stop high-scoring opposition raiders, providing balance in the left corner alongside Yogesh.
The performance of these five players will decide the team’s level. If the defense stays strong and Akash keeps scoring, Bengaluru Bulls can climb from last season’s poor finish.
The Last Of The Last Season: Bengaluru Bulls Season 11 Recap
Season 11 was the worst in Bengaluru Bulls history. They could not win games and finished at the bottom. Poor raids and weak defense made every match difficult for the team.
| No. | Category | Stat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wins | 2 |
| 2 | Draws | 1 |
| 3 | Losses | 19 |
| 4 | Final Standing | 12th Place |
| 5 | Total Raid Points | 378 |
| 6 | Successful Raid Rate | 30% (of 968 raids) |
| 7 | Total Tackle Points | 227 |
| 8 | Tackle Success Rate | 36% (of 543 tackles) |
| 9 | Highest Match Score | 37 vs Tamil Thalaivas |
| 10 | Biggest Winning Margin | 4 points |
| 11 | All-Outs Inflicted | 12 (24 points) |
These numbers show everything went wrong. Only 30% raid success meant they could not score points. Just 36% tackle success allows opponents to score easily. The team needs big improvements to avoid another disaster season.
The Short Rise With Hope For Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls have played 223 matches in PKL history. They have won 96, drawn 14, and lost 113. Their highest score stands at 64 points, and their biggest win came by 40 points.
The team’s proudest moment remains the 2018 championship when Pawan Sehrawat led them to glory. That title still gives hope to fans waiting for another successful season.
Strengths & Weaknesses Of Bengaluru Bulls
The Bulls have clear advantages in some areas but face real problems in others. How they handle both sides will decide if they can move up from last place.
Strengths
- Strong defensive core with proven tackle specialists like Ankush and Yogesh.
- Multiple all-rounders give flexibility during matches.
- Iranian players add international experience and different playing styles.
- Coach BC Ramesh knows the team well from previous seasons.
Weaknesses
- Too many untested raiders beyond Akash Shinde in the main unit.
- Low confidence after winning just 2 games last season.
- Lack of a proven match-winner who can score 15+ points consistently.
If the Bulls stick to their defensive strength, they can stay in close games. But if the raiding department fails to improve, they might struggle to finish teams off again.
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Conclusion: Yogesh-Led Bulls Execute Mid-Season Rebirth
The Bengaluru Bulls are no longer an unproven rebuild; they are a team that has found its winning formula mid-season.
The change in captaincy to Yogesh Dahiya and the subsequent defensive dominance have propelled the team out of the cellar and into the top half of the standings.
The defense-first strategy is clearly working, backed by the breakout performance of Deepak Sankar and the resilience of Akash Shinde in the attack. The challenge now is consistency.
If the Bulls can maintain their defensive strength and continue converting crucial raids in the second half of the season, they are strongly positioned to secure a playoff spot and surprise many in the title race.
The journey to prove their worth is now in full swing – catch all the action live!
FAQs
Most Bulls matches begin at 8 PM IST, with some evening games at 7:30 PM. Delhi leg has the most variety in timings, while Vizag and Jaipur stick to standard slots for better viewership.
Ankush Rathee leads with significant PKL exposure across multiple teams and seasons. His 227 career tackle points come from facing different raiding styles, making him valuable for guidance and game reading.
The Bulls will not play any matches in their home city, Bengaluru, this season. All games happen across four venues: Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai, and Delhi as per the league’s rotation format.
Both bring international kabaddi exposure and different technical approaches compared to Indian players. Their height, reach, and unique raiding angles can trouble defenses not used to such styles regularly.
Last season’s 12th-place finish with only 2 wins forced a complete rethink. The management decided that strong defense wins more games than flashy raids, leading to heavy investment in tackle specialists.
