As anticipation builds, a special Instagram Live session held on Thursday featured two of kabaddi’s standout names, Naveen Kumar and Devank Dalal, in a candid exchange that blended mutual respect with competitive fire. For Naveen, the opening clash holds deep emotional significance
-1755594433898_d.png "PKL 12 | 'To be the best...': Devank fires warning to Naveen before Vizag showdown")
The PKL Season 12 promises a blockbuster start, with defending champions Haryana Steelers taking on Bengal Warriorz on August 31 in Visakhapatnam
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 promises a blockbuster start, with defending champions Haryana Steelers taking on Bengal Warriorz on August 31 in Visakhapatnam. The season officially kicks off on August 29 in Vizag, with the league stage scheduled to travel through Jaipur, Chennai, and New Delhi until October 23.
As anticipation builds, a special Instagram Live session held on Thursday featured two of kabaddi’s standout names, Naveen Kumar and Devank Dalal, in a candid exchange that blended mutual respect with competitive fire.
For Naveen, the opening clash holds deep emotional significance. "This is emotional for me. I’ve dreamt of playing for Haryana, and the fans have wanted this for years. Now that I’m here, I owe it to them to give everything," said the player fondly nicknamed the Naveen Express.
View this post on Instagram
He continued, “We’re champions already, but defending the crown is harder than winning it once. We’ve got a young, fearless group, and our only focus is to make Haryana proud again.”
Looking ahead to the face-off against Bengal and their star raider, Naveen didn’t mince words. “If we stop Devank, we win. It’s that simple. But I know he won’t make it easy — and that’s what excites me.”
When asked whether fans could expect a more aggressive version of him this season, Naveen affirmed, “Aggression is part of who I am on the mat. When I raid, I want the defenders to feel the pressure. Against Bengal, we’ll bring that same fire from the first whistle.”
On the other side of the mat, Bengal Warriorz’ Dalal, the franchise’s record signing, exuded calm confidence. Reflecting on his breakthrough campaign, he said, “Last year changed my life — 301 raid points, best raider, the PKL Final. But I don’t want to stop there. Records are made to be broken, and I want to go beyond that.”
Speaking on the pressure of being the most expensive player in his team’s history, Dalal said, “People talk about the price tag, but for me it’s motivation. The franchise has put its trust in me, and I’ll repay that trust raid by raid.”
When the topic turned to his duel with Naveen, the tone shifted subtly. “I respect Naveen bhai a lot — he was my captain (with the Services) and my mentor. But on the mat, respect turns into rivalry. To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
Dalal closed with a warning for his opponents: “Naveen says stopping me is the key — but good luck catching me. My kicks, my speed, my aggression… this season I want to test every defender in the league, starting with Haryana.”
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
