The race for the best raider in PKL Season 12 is already heating up, with Devank Dalla and Ashu Malik leading the charts and just a few points apart.
Nitin Dhankhar isn’t far behind either, which makes every raid a chance to shuffle the order.
Alongside these early-season battles, the number of all-time greats and team records reminds us how today’s stars are chasing legacies built over a decade.
Let’s look at all about the raiding stats in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Current Top Raiders in PKL 12
The first few weeks of Season 12 have already thrown up standout raiding displays. Five players in particular have separated themselves with consistency, strike rate, and the ability to change games.
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Raid Points | Avg Raid Points | Successful Raids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devank Dalal | Bengal Warriors | 6 | 93 | 15.5 | 81 |
| 2 | Ashu Malik | Dabang Delhi | 6 | 77 | 12.83 | 61 |
| 3 | Nitin Kumar Dhankhar | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 6 | 74 | 12.33 | 66 |
| 4 | Ayan Lohchab | Patna Pirates | 6 | 73 | 12.17 | 56 |
| 5 | Alireza Mirzaian | Bengaluru Bulls | 8 | 70 | 8.75 | 61 |
| 6 | Gagan Raju Gowda | U.P. Yoddhas | 6 | 69 | 11.5 | 46 |
| 7 | Bharat Hooda | Telugu Titans | 8 | 66 | 8.25 | 58 |
| 8 | Vijay Malik | Telugu Titans | 8 | 63 | 7.88 | 42 |
| 9 | Arjun Deshwal | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 5 | 59 | 11.8 | 54 |
| 10 | Shivam Anil Patare | Puneri Paltan | 6 | 54 | 9 | 45 |
The table gives us a lot of numbers on the top 10 raiders of the season, but let’s look at the top 5 in a little more detail.
1. Devank Dalal – Bengal Warriors
Dalal has been the biggest surprise package so far, sitting on top with 93 raid points in just 6 games.
His 15.5 average is not only eye-catching but also shows how fearless he has been in attack, and proves why he was paid Rs. 2.205 crores in the PKL auction. If this rhythm continues, he could well become the season’s breakout star.
2. Ashu Malik – Dabang Delhi
Already known for his explosiveness, Ashu Malik is living up to the hype with 77 raid points from 6 games.
His ability to deliver under pressure and close out raids is giving Delhi an edge. The slight dip in efficiency compared to Dalal is noticeable, but he remains a lethal threat.
3. Nitin Dhankar – Jaipur Pink Panthers
Brought in as Jaipur’s lead raider after Arjun Deshwal’s exit, Dhankhar has wasted no time proving his value.
With 74 raid points and a 12.33 average, he’s carrying the team’s attack. His sharp bursts through defensive lines show Jaipur may not miss their old talisman as much as expected.
4. Ayan Lohchab – Patna Pirates
Ahead on 5 points with Gagan Gowda, Lohchab edges into the top five because of his stronger strike rate in successful raids.
Scoring 73 points at a 12.17 average shows real promise. If he can sustain this early impact, he might evolve into a dependable frontline raider this season.
5. Alireza Mirzaian – Bengaluru Bulls
Alireza Mirzaian has been a steady force with 70 raid points, averaging 8.75 per match. While not the most explosive, his all-round contributions and knack for turning half-chances into points keep him valuable in crunch moments.
PKL Raid Point System Explained
Every raid in Pro Kabaddi has the chance to earn points. A raider scores one point for each defender they touch and return safely, while a defender revival happens automatically when the team scores. In short, this is how it goes –
- Touch a defender – 1 point (if the raider returns safely)
- Bonus line – 1 point (when six or more defenders are present)
- Super raid – 3 or more points in a single raid
- All-out – 2 points to the raiding team, plus revival of all out defenders
- Defender revival – automatic whenever the team scores
Scoring bonus points is a tricky skill, which makes it that much more fun to watch on screen. And what makes it somewhat luck-based is the presence of defenders necessary to get the score.
Top 3 Defenders Troubling Raiders in PKL 12
Season 12 has seen defenders rise just as strongly as raiders. Three names, in particular, have consistently shut down attacks and shaped the balance of matches so far.
1. Gaurav Khatri – Puneri Paltan
With 26 tackle points in 7 games, Khatri has emerged as the most reliable stopper of the season. His 18+ successful tackles show sharp anticipation on the mat.
Averaging over three points per game, he combines timing with controlled aggression, giving his team a dependable weapon whenever raiders threaten to dominate.
2. Fazel Atrachali – Dabang Delhi
Fazel Atrachali continues to show why he’s one of the most reliable defenders in the league. With 20 tackle points in 6 matches, averaging over 3 per game, he’s been a rock at the back.
His experience and sharp anticipation in pressure situations make him a constant threat for raiders, proving that he still sets the benchmark for defensive play.
3. Sumit Sangwan – U.P. Yoddhas
Sumit Sangwan has been a dependable presence in defense with 20 tackle points from 6 matches. Averaging over 3 per game, he has combined aggression with control, often stepping up in key moments to halt opposition raiders.
His consistency in holding the defensive line makes him a vital cog in his team’s backline.
What Reward Does The Best Raider In PKL Receive?
Over the years, Pro Kabaddi has built a strong reward system to recognise standout players. The Best Raider of the Season currently receives ₹15 lakh, matched by the Best Defender of the Season.
The Most Valuable Player prize sits higher at ₹20 lakh, while promising youngsters earn ₹8 lakh for the New Young Player award.
Finals also bring smaller but prestigious honours, like Game Changer, Tackle, Super Raid, and Moment of the Final, each worth ₹50,000.
Larger seasonal awards like Super Raid and Tackle of the Season carry ₹5 lakh prizes, showing how individual brilliance is celebrated alongside team glory.
The Pro Kabaddi Winners List echoes this balance, highlighting teams whose collective strength turned standout moments into title wins.
All-Time Top Raiders Of Pro Kabaddi League
Pardeep Narwal’s 1,801 raid points set the standard, but averages tell another story. Naveen Kumar and Arjun Deshwal both cross ten points a match, showing how their efficiency matches their reputation.
| Rank | Player | Matches | Raid Points | Avg Raid Points | Successful Raids | Super Raids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pardeep Narwal | 190 | 1801 | 9.48 | 899 | 79 |
| 2 | Maninder Singh | 161 | 1551 | 9.63 | 1125 | 46 |
| 3 | Pawan Sehrawat | 142 | 1340 | 9.44 | 776 | 40 |
| 4 | Arjun Deshwal | 117 | 1203 | 10.28 | 888 | 25 |
| 5 | Naveen Kumar | 111 | 1120 | 10.09 | 963 | – |
| 5 | Rahul Chaudhari | 154 | 1045 | – | 693 | 26 |
| 7 | Sachin Tanwar | 149 | 1040 | – | 443 | – |
| 8 | Deepak Hooda | 157 | 1020 | – | – | – |
| 9 | Vikash Kandola | 128 | 813 | 8.71 | 484 | 24 |
| 10 | Ajay Thakur | 120 | 794 | – | – | 23 |
Pardeep Narwal remains the face of raiding with records like his eight-point super raid against Haryana. Maninder Singh’s steady scoring has powered Bengal Warriors, while Pawan Sehrawat is known for explosive match-winning raids.
Arjun Deshwal’s rise to 1,000 points in record time and Naveen Kumar’s high strike rate underline their impact on the new era. The next five feature stalwarts of different phases.
Rahul Chaudhari was the original poster boy, Sachin Tanwar and Deepak Hooda built reputations on consistency, Vikash Kandola offered agility, and Ajay Thakur gave Tamil Thalaivas their most memorable finishes.
Teams with the Highest Raid Points in PKL History
Raid points measure how teams have built pressure on opponents over the years. They also show how certain squads have consistently relied on attacking play to keep themselves in contention.
| Rank | Team | Matches | Raid Points in PKL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patna Pirates | 233 | 4755 |
| 2 | Bengaluru Bulls | 227 | 4395 |
| 3 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 223 | 4392 |
| 4 | Bengal Warriors | 221 | 4311 |
| 5 | U Mumba | 225 | 4211 |
| 5 | Telugu Titans | 219 | 4173 |
| 7 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 222 | 4120 |
| 8 | Puneri Paltan | 227 | 4114 |
| 9 | UP Yoddhas | 168 | 3341 |
| 10 | Haryana Steelers | 165 | 3307 |
Patna Pirates sit first with a huge gap, built mainly during the years when Pardeep Narwal was unstoppable. Bengaluru Bulls follow, their numbers lifted by Pawan Sehrawat’s peak raids.
Dabang Delhi’s rise is largely attributed to Naveen Kumar, who has led them deep into multiple playoffs. Bengal Warriors and U Mumba have stayed steady with different raiders stepping up across seasons.
Telugu Titans hold sixth despite poor recent runs, showing how strong their earlier squads were. Jaipur and Pune remain close behind, while UP and Haryana are still building their totals.
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Conclusion: Devank Dalal & Ashu Malik Have Quickly Become The Top Raiders Of PKL Season 12
Season 12 has reminded everyone how quickly the spotlight can shift in kabaddi. A few weeks ago, most conversations were still about the league’s familiar stars, yet Devank Dalal and Ashu Malik have forced a rewrite of that script.
Their scoring bursts have brought fresh excitement and changed how their teams approach crunch moments. Nitin Dhankhar’s rise and the promise of Lohchab show that raiding depth is as strong as ever.
The season will only get tougher, but if these early weeks are any signal, the newest names on the leaderboard won’t be fading anytime soon.
FAQs
Gaurav Khatri from Puneri Paltan has scored 19 tackle points in just 6 matches, making him the top defender of the current ongoing season.
Manjeet Chhillar continues to hold that crown with over 400 career tackle points. His dominance across multiple seasons and versatility in cover positions cemented his status as kabaddi’s defensive benchmark.
Surprisingly, some experienced names like Rohit Kumar and Monu Goyat found no takers. Despite past achievements, teams leaned heavily toward younger raiders showing higher fitness levels and stronger strike rates.
A raider can enter as often as the coach allows, provided they are not out. Top raiders sometimes complete more than 25 raids in a single close contest.
Jang Kun Lee from South Korea is the most successful international raider in PKL. He has scored close to 500 points in close to 120 matches.
