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 | Name | Role | Matches | Raid Points | Avg. Raid Points | Successful Raids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ayan Lohchab | Raider | 22 | 316 | 14.36 | 252 |
| 2 | Devank Dalal | Raider | 16 | 271 | 16.94 | 214 |
| 3 | Bharat Hooda | All Rounder | 21 | 230 | 10.95 | 181 |
| 4 | Arjun Deshwal | Raider | 18 | 209 | 11.61 | 173 |
| 5 | Alireza Mirzaian | All Rounder | 20 | 197 | 9.85 | 162 |
| 6 | Vijay Malik | All Rounder | 21 | 166 | 7.90 | 121 |
| 7 | Nitin Kumar Dhankhar | Raider | 15 | 155 | 10.33 | 130 |
| 8 | Shivam Anil Patare | Raider | 19 | 155 | 8.16 | 130 |
| 9 | Ashu Malik | Raider | 13 | 150 | 11.54 | 117 |
| 10 | Aditya Tushar Shinde | Raider | 17 | 149 | 8.76 | 126 |
The table gives us a lot of numbers on the top 10 raiders of the season, but let’s look at the top 3 in a little more detail.
1. Ayan Lohchab – Patna Pirates
Ayan Lohchab has quickly become the backbone of Patna Pirates’ attack, scoring 316 raid points in 22 games.
His 14.36 average reflects his reliability, and his 252 successful raids show just how efficiently he converts opportunities. Lohchab’s fearless approach in do-or-die raids has been crucial for Patna’s close wins and keeps him firmly in the race for the top spot.
2. Devank Dalal – Bengal Warriors
Devank Dalal continues to dominate the mat this season, leading the charts with 271 raid points in 16 matches.
Averaging 16.94 raid points per game, he’s been the definition of consistency and control. With 207 successful raids, Dalal’s mix of pace, precision, and calm decision-making has made him the driving force behind Bengal Warriors’ strong run. If he maintains this level, he’s well on course for the Best Raider of the Season award.
3. Bharat Hooda – Telugu Titans
Telugu Titans’ Bharat Hooda has been a steady performer this season, scoring 230 raid points in 21 matches with an average of 10.95. Known for his powerful raids and smart gameplay, he’s been a key contributor with 181 successful raid for the Titans in PKL Season 12.
His composure under pressure and ability to turn games around have made him a crucial player. Bharat continues to be the driving force in Telugu’s attack, delivering consistent performances throughout the season.
4. Arjun Deshwal – Tamil Thalaivas
Switching teams hasn’t slowed Arjun Deshwal down one bit. Playing 18 matches, he has earned 209 raid points with an average of 11.61.
His 173 successful raids underline how consistently he delivers, match after match. Deshwal remains one of the most reliable names in PKL 12, combining calm execution with smart decision-making under pressure.
5. Alireza Mirzaian – Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls’ all-rounder Alireza Mirzaian has been a standout performer this season, making a significant impact on both ends of the mat. In 20 matches, he has secured 197 raid points with an average of 9.85 per game, showcasing exceptional consistency and determination.
With 156 successful raids, Alireza has proven to be a key asset for the Bulls, blending strength and strategy to dominate opponents. His ability to balance offense and defense with precision has made him one of the most versatile and reliable players of PKL Season 12.
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. Nitesh Kumar – Bengal Warriorz
Nitesh Kumar has once again proven why he’s regarded as one of the most reliable defenders in the league. With 46 tackle points in 12 matches, he combines sharp anticipation with strong execution to stop raiders in their tracks.
His 3.67 average tackle points per match underline his consistency, while his 44 successful tackles show the impact he brings to Bengal’s defensive unit. Nitesh’s ability to control the game under pressure makes him a key pillar for his team this season.
2. Sumit Sangwan – U.P. Yoddhas
Sumit Sangwan has been a dependable presence in defense with 35 tackle points from 12 matches. Averaging 3.67 per game, he has combined aggression with control, often stepping up in key moments to halt opposition raiders.
His 32 successful tackles so far highlight his consistency, making him a vital cog in the Yoddhas’ defensive unit this season.
3. Jaideep Kuldeep Dahiya – Haryana Steelers
With 37 tackle points in 11 matches, Jaideep Kuldeep Dahiya has been a rock-solid force in defense this season. His 30 successful tackles highlight his precision and ability to shut down opponents at crucial moments.
Averaging just over three points per game, he blends consistency with fearless defending, making him a key pillar in his team’s backline whenever the pressure is on.
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 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 Nitin Kumar Dhankhar 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 30 tackle points in 9 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.
