Kabaddi

Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans (2025): PKL Match Preview

September 15, 2025

Written By:

For years, the match-up of Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans was completely one-sided, with the Bengaluru Bulls consistently having the upper hand.

But after a wild last season that saw the Telugu Titans finally win a couple of games against them, this game is going to have a new and exciting vibe and gameplay.

Here, Bengaluru Bulls show consistent defense systems that have kept them afloat through the seasons, while the Telugu Titans are trying again with high-power attacks and raids.

In this article, I’ve broken down their head-to-head records, dissected their player rosters, and analyzed their game plan. I have also included a personal match prediction of who is going to win.

Now let’s see how this battle is going to stay fresh.

2025 Season Preview: Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans

The Bengaluru Bulls are a whole new team this season, and it all starts with the man in charge, BC Ramesh, who is a two-time champion coach who has made defense his top priority.

They’ve gone all in on a defensive wall, with expensive captain Yogesh Dahiya and Ankush Rathee holding down the corners.

Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans 2025
Source: SoraAI

They may not have a single superstar raider like in the past, but they’ve got a whole crew of guys, from the wily Akash Shinde to the strong Iranian, Alireza Mirzaian, who can find points in any situation. This is a team built to outlast you.

Then there are the Telugu Titans. They’ve always been a bit of a puzzle, but this year they’re focused on one thing, and that is a fast, high-scoring attack.

They have a handful of seriously dangerous raiders in Ashish Narwal, Manjeet, and Bharat Hooda, all ready to light up the scoreboard. The big question, though, is whether their defense can hold up. It’s been their weak spot for a while.

So, when these two step on the mat, it’s a perfect test. Can the Bulls’ new defensive fortress shut down the Titans’ raiding fire, or will the Titans’ scoring machine simply be too much to handle?

Head-to-Head History: Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans

A rivalry is only as good as its history, and when it comes to the Bengaluru Bulls vs. Telugu Titans, it’s a lopsided story. The Bulls have a massive lead, winning 16 of the 25 games played.

For a long time, it felt like they simply had the Titans’ number, with the Titans only managing to get 5 wins in total. This was always a big win for the Bulls and a tough night for the Titans.

StatBengaluru BullsTelugu Titans
Matches Played2525
Wins165
Losses516
Tied44
Highest Score4938
Lowest Score2121

But then last season came along, and the Telugu Titans completely flipped the script. They surprised everyone by not just winning one game, but beating the Bulls twice.

This was a huge deal for a team that had struggled so much against them. It felt like the Titans finally figured out the secret to winning and got a massive boost of confidence.

Those two wins must have really hurt the Bulls, because it proved they can be beaten. Now, with a new season, you have to wonder what will happen.

Will the Titans be able to do it again and really turn this rivalry around, or will the Bulls step up and show them who is still in charge? This is a matchup that just got very, very interesting.

The Best Moments from the Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans Rivalry

Honestly, even if the history is lopsided, this rivalry has still given us some wild matches. 

The Season 2 semifinal is a great example of how interesting these teams can get against each other. However, the teams have completely changed personnel since then.

The Bulls barely won, a 39-38 nail-biter. It was a high-stakes, winner-takes-all kind of situation, and the Bulls really showed their grit by hanging on and pulling off the win. That victory proved they were the kind of team that could perform under pressure.

Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans Rivalry
Source: PKL

Then there are the games where the Bulls just showed up to dominate. Take that one match in Season 7, where they beat the Titans 47-26. That was not a close game. It was a statement from the Bulls showing everyone they were a different class.

The most interesting part of the rivalry, hands down, was the tie in Season 8. The game finished 34-34, and it weirdly felt like a win for everyone involved. That was the moment the Titans finally proved they could compete with the Bulls on their level.

And Pawan Sehrawat really did not leave people’s minds after the match. Playing for the Bulls back then, he was subbed in for the last few seconds and then managed to make an insane tackle that genuinely saved the game.

And of course, there’s what happened last season. The Titans completely took over. They won both their games against the Bulls. This was a huge deal because it was the first time in forever that the Titans managed to take control of the rivalry.

Those two wins must have given them a ton of confidence. It feels like the whole rivalry has been reset. Now we just have to see if the Titans have a permanent solution or if the Bulls can remind them who is still boss.

A Look at the Team Strengths: Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans 2025

The way these two teams are built is a considerable contrast this season. The Bengaluru Bulls have gone all in on a defense-first strategy, putting together a solid wall at the back.

Meanwhile, the Telugu Titans are betting big on their raiding unit to get the job done. It’s a classic battle of strength versus strength, and this match will show which approach is the smarter one.

TeamBengaluru BullsTelugu Titans
CaptainYogesh DahiyaVijay Malik
CoachBC RameshKrishan Kumar Hooda
Key RaidersAkash Shinde, Alireza MirzaianAshish Narwal, Manjeet, Bharat Hooda
Key DefendersYogesh Dahiya, Sanjay DhullShubham Shinde, Aman Antil

The Bengaluru Bulls’ plan is all about defense. They spent big on defender and captain, Yogesh Dahiya, making him the most expensive Indian defender in the league’s history.

Captain Yogesh and Ankush Rathee, a Best Defender award winner from Season 9, are a serious pairing in the corners. With them holding down the fort, their defense is probably one of the best in the league. Their raiding is a different story, though.

Ankush Rathee PKL player
Source: PKL

But right now, after three games, the team of Bengaluru Bulls has seemingly faced problems with the initially appointed captain, Ankush Rathee, who failed to show up and perform in their 3rd and 4th match. 

They don’t have a big-name star like some other teams. Instead, they have a whole group of raiders like Akash Shinde and Alireza Mirzaian who are young and hungry. 

The strategy is simple to just let the defense hold firm and rely on these younger guys to score just enough points to win.

 Bharat Hooda PKL player
Source: PKL

The Telugu Titans, on the other hand, have a deep and dangerous raiding unit. They brought in Bharat Hooda to join players like Vijay Malik, Ashish Narwal, and Manjeet.

These guys can get points quickly and from anywhere on the mat. The Titans are built to be a high-scoring, exciting team. But the big question mark is their defense.

While they have good players like Shubham Shinde and Aman, they are not as strong on paper as some other teams. The team’s success depends on whether their raiders can keep the points flowing and whether their defense can hold up under pressure.

They are a team that will live and die by their attack.

Full Squad List Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans 2025

The way these teams are built is a completely different story. The Bulls have gone for a balanced, deep squad across the board, with a focus on defense. The Titans, though, seem to be betting the farm on their raiding power. 

Here’s a full look at the line-ups for both sides.

PositionBengaluru BullsTelugu Titans
CaptainYogesh Dahiya (Defender)Vijay Malik (All-Rounder)
RaiderAkash ShindeAshish Narwal
RaiderPankajManjeet
RaiderManjeetRohit Singh
RaiderGanesha HanamantagolChetan Sahu
RaiderShubham BitakeJai Bhagwan
RaiderMahipalPrafull Zaware
RaiderPirati SrisivatejeshNitin Rawal
DefenderAnkush RatheeShubham Shinde
DefenderSanjay DhullAman Antil
DefenderChandranaik MAnkit
DefenderLucky KumarRahul Dagar
DefenderDheerajAmir Ejlali
DefenderDeepak SSagar
DefenderShubham RahateAvi Duhan
DefenderManishBantu Malik
DefenderSatyappa Matti
All-RounderAlireza MirzaianBharat Hooda
All-RounderAmit Singh ThakurGanesh Parki

Looking at the table, it’s pretty clear what each team’s plan is. The Bulls have a huge group of raiders, so they’re not relying on just one star to get points. It’s a team effort.

The Titans, on the other hand, have loaded up on firepower, especially in the raiding department, and are hoping that their attack is just too much to handle for their defense to matter as much.

Comparing Performances From Past Seasons For Bengaluru Bulls and Telugu Titans

The Bulls and Titans have totally different histories. The Bulls have a championship to their name, proving they can go all the way, while the Titans have consistently struggled to win it all.

But in the most recent season, something finally shifted. The Titans took control and completely changed the story.

MetricBengaluru Bulls (Overall)Telugu Titans (Overall)Bengaluru Bulls (Season 11)Telugu Titans (Season 11)
Matches Played1661652222
Wins796325
Draws161613
Losses71861914
Highest Score51614748
Biggest Winning Margin29231921
Total Raids703570469431031
Successful Raids24872609295379
Raids Success %35%37%31%37%
Total Tackles38284097560585
Successful Tackles15481605215269
Tackles Success %40%39%38%46%
All Out Points4103903260

The numbers tell a clear story. Historically, the Bulls have been the better team, with a strong winning record, but in Season 11, the entire script completely flipped.

The Bulls’ performance was a total letdown, and it’s a big reason why they finished at the very bottom of the table. Their raid and tackle percentages plummeted, and they only managed to win two games all season.

Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans teams players
Source: PKL

But the Telugu Titans proved themselves a more consistent team last season. They had more wins comparatively, with 3 ties, and better metrics. This showed their improvement and desire to do better.

The numbers and metrics from season 11 prove that history is less relevant when it comes to a new team and a new season. So Bengaluru Bulls and Telugu Titans are a big guess, and the individual players will add to this anticipation.

Key Players to Watch: Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans

This match is going to be a pure showdown between a superstar’s speed and a defense built on brute force.

The most crucial battle will be the Titans’ raiding machine, led by Ashish Narwal and Manjeet, going up against the Bulls’ rock-solid defensive pairing of captain and Yogesh Dahiya.

Ashish Narwal PKL player
Source: PKL

Yogesh is known for being incredibly disciplined. He and the others in the team look to slow the game down with their strong holds and perfect timing, denying the Titans’ raiders the quick points they crave.

Yash Dahiya PKL player
Source: Yash Dahiya Instagram

The Titans’ game plan revolves around getting those fast touch points, so this is a clash of two completely different styles. The match will be decided by whether the Titans can break through that wall. If they can’t, the Bulls will control the tempo and the scoreboard.

But this isn’t a one-sided affair. On the other end, the Bulls’ raiding unit, which lacks a single big-name star, will need to be smart and cohesive.

Players like Akash Shinde will have to work together to exploit any weaknesses in the Titans’ defense. The Titans’ backline, while much improved, still has a lot to prove.

If they can’t handle the pressure and make a few key errors, the Bulls’ collective raiding strength could easily run away with the game. This whole thing comes down to which team can force its own style of play.

Predicting the Winner: Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans

Right now, the Bengaluru Bulls are looking like a team with a purpose. They’ve got a new coach, a strong defensive core, and a clear plan to play a tough, grinding style of kabaddi.

They are not a flashy team, but they are a cohesive one that is built to win under pressure. They look like a real threat to make it deep into the playoffs this year.

On the other side, the Telugu Titans are a fascinating team to watch. They’ve added some real firepower to their raiding unit, but their defense is still a question mark.

Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans players match
Source: PKL

The biggest problem for them is that their defense hasn’t quite shown the same discipline as the Bulls’ unit. My simple take is that the Titans are going to have a really tough time getting past the Bulls’ well-drilled defense.

Even if the Titans’ raiders get some quick points, the Bulls’ veteran experience and game plan will ultimately give them the edge in a match they should win.

Related Reads:

Conclusion: The Bulls Have a Clear Advantage, But the Titans Are Ready to Fight for a New Beginning

The contrast between these two teams comes down to an essential question of team-building. The Bulls are a championship-winning machine, built on a strong foundation of chemistry and a defensive-first mindset.

The Titans, however, are a project in motion, a team that has been gambling on top-tier raiding talent in the hopes of finally putting it all together.

Recent history is a stark reminder of this divide, but ultimately, this match is a test of will.

The Bulls have the balance and a proven winning record to be the clear favorite, but the Titans’ fighting spirit means they can never be counted out.

FAQs

What Does The Jersey Colour Of Bengaluru Mean?

The team’s colors are red and black. Red shows their energy and passion for the game, and black shows their strength and power when they play on the mat.

What Does The Jersey Colour Of Telugu Mean?

The Titans’ jersey is mainly yellow and blue. The yellow color shows their energy and speed on the mat, and blue represents their fighting spirit.

Is Ankush Rathee A Good Captain?

Ankush Rathee is not the captain of the team anymore. He was replaced by Yogesh Dahiya after some issues with the team. Yogesh is doing a good job now.

What Are The Mottos Of Both Bengaluru And Telugu?

Bengaluru’s motto is “Full Charge Maadi,” which means “Charge Fully.” The Telugu Titans’ motto is “Matti Mein Milakar Jeetenge,” meaning “Will win by grinding in the soil.”

Which Teams Have More Fan Following?

Bengaluru Bulls has a large following in Karnataka. They have an emotional connection with their fans and are one of the most popular teams in the league.

Devraj Chauhan is a sports development strategist with hands-on experience in managing tournaments, coaching programs, and infrastructure planning across India. Dedicated to promoting both indoor and outdoor games, he brings a practical perspective to grassroots sports and writes to inspire growth in community-based athletics.

Scroll to Top