Puneri Paltan and Bengaluru Bulls scripted history as they played out the first-ever tie-breaker in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 league stage with the former prevailing 6-4 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Friday.
The two teams were tied at 32-32 after regulation time.
Aditya Shinde led the way with nine points, while Gaurav Khatri had a High Five to his name. Meanwhile, Akash Shinde registered his first Super 10 of the season. Ankush Rathee recorded a High Five that went down in vain for Bengaluru Bulls.
It was a rapid start to the contest as Aslam Inamdar and Akash didn’t waste any time to get the opening two points for their respective sides. Aditya registered a Super Raid for Puneri Paltan, giving it a slender lead in the opening exchanges.
AS IT HAPPENED | PKL Day 1 Highlights
Bengaluru Bulls got back on level terms courtesy a double raid from Akash, eliminating Mohd. Amaan and Inamdar. The raider registered his 300th raid point in the PKL, and continued to build on that momentum to give his side a two-point lead.
However, there was nothing separating the two teams at the break with the scoreline reading 13-13.
In the second half, Akash was unstoppable on the raiding end for Bengaluru Bulls, giving it a three-point lead before Pankaj Mohite responded with a mammoth four-point raid to put Puneri Paltan back in front.
Bengaluru Bulls took a one-point lead with a crucial Super Tackle on Aditya from Aashish Malik. However, Inamdar notched up crucial contributions, first on the defensive end and then on a Do-Or-Die Raid to level the score at 23-23 with over ten minutes remaining in the game.
Puneri Paltan regained its one-point lead after a tackle from Gurdeep helped it inflict an All Out. That was before Akash turned the table and registered his Super 10, including a two-point raid. At full-time, the score read 32-32 and the tie-breaker beckoned.
In the tie-break, both raiding units were in control. Inamdar made the difference in the end, giving Paltan the lead before a tackle from Dheeraj helped them emerge victorious.
Pawan Sehrawat comes in clutch
Earlier in the day, it was a blockbuster opening game that saw Tamil Thalaivas secure a 38-35 win over host Telugu Titans.
Arjun Deshwal registered a Super 10 and Pawan Sehrawat scored nine points for their side, with Bharat Hooda bagging nine points for the Titans.
Arjun picked up from where he left off last season, scoring with his opening raid of the season to give Thalaivas the lead. However, captain Vijay Malik opened the account for the Titans.
Arjun Deshwal registered a Super 10 and Pawan Sehrawat scored nine points for their side, with Bharat Hooda bagging nine points for the Titans.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Arjun Deshwal registered a Super 10 and Pawan Sehrawat scored nine points for their side, with Bharat Hooda bagging nine points for the Titans.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The two teams were going toe-to-toe in the first half with Bharat finding his groove for Telugu Titans and completing 600 raid points in the PKL. At the end of the first half, Tamil Thalaivas was leading 14-13.
It was a sedate start to the second half before Bharat got the better of Himanshu and Suresh Jadhav on a Do-Or-Die Raid. It didn’t take long for Telugu Titans to execute the first All Out of the season, giving it a five-point lead with the score at 19-14.
The host was firmly in control of the game in the second half, before Arjun and Pawan combined well to level the score at 28-28 with less than five minutes left.
As the game came down to the wire, Pawan came in clutch with an exceptional Super Raid in the dying seconds of the game to secure a 38-35 win for Tamil Thalaivas.
Published on Aug 29, 2025
