PKL 2025 Season 12 Opener: Pawan Sehrawat & Arjun Shine as Tamil Thalaivas Edge Telugu Titans 38-35 in Thrilling Clash
Pro Kabaddi League 2025 kicks off with a thriller as Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun star in Tamil Thalaivas’ 38-35 win over Telugu Titans in the Season 12 opener
It was a blockbuster opening game that saw Tamil Thalaivas secure a 38-35 win over the home side Telugu Titans at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Friday night. Arjun Deshwal registered a Super 10 and Pawan Sehrawat scoring 9 points for their side, with Bharat Hooda registering nine points for the hosts.
Arjun Deshwal picked up from where he left off in season 11, scoring with his opening raid of the season to give Tamil Thalaivas the lead. The experienced raider didn’t miss a beat in the opening exchanges before Vijay Malik opened the account for Telugu Titans.
Bharat Hooda got the Titans back into the game, bagging two raids on a Do-Or-Die raid, giving his team some momentum to level the score at 5-5, ten minutes into the opening game of the season.
The two teams were going toe-to-toe in the first half with Bharat Hooda finding his groove for Telugu Titans, also marking a milestone moment with his 600th raid in the PKL. Meanwhile, Arjun Deshwal was doing the heavy lifting for his side, racking up seven raid points in the first half. At the end of the first half, Tamil Thalaivas had a slender lead with the score at 14-13.
It was a sedate start to the second half before Bharat Hooda 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 from there on, giving them a five-point lead with the score at 19-14.
The hosts were firmly in control of the game in the second half, while Arjun Deshwal was keeping the Tamil Thalaivas alive as he registered the first Super 10 of the season. Pawan Sehrawat opened his account soon after, beginning the road to a comeback for his side.
With their two raiders combining well, Tamil Thalaivas levelled the score at 28-28 with less than 5 minutes left in the game. They made the most of that momentum and got their noses in front with an ALL OUT after Nitesh Kumar tackled Ashish Narwal, getting a two-point lead with the score at 31-29.
As the game came down to the wire, Bharat Hooda got his ninth raid point, bringing the gap down to one point between the two sides. Pawan Sehrawat came in clutch with an exceptional Super Raid in the dying seconds of the game to secure a 38-35 win for Tamil Thalaivas.
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 kicked off in electrifying fashion as fans were treated to a nail-biting clash between Tamil Thalaivas and Telugu Titans. In a match that swung like a pendulum, the Thalaivas edged past their southern rivals 38-35, thanks to the brilliant performances of Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal.
The Tamil Thalaivas vs. Telugu Titans rivalry has always been one of the most closely followed contests in PKL history. The opening game of Season 12 added another memorable chapter to this saga, with both teams refusing to give an inch until the very last raid.
Right from the whistle, it was evident that both sides had come prepared with aggressive strategies. The Thalaivas banked on Pawan Sehrawat’s raiding brilliance, while the Titans relied on their defensive wall and quick counter-raids. The opening minutes saw the Titans draw first blood, but the Thalaivas responded strongly, leveling the score.
Star raider Pawan Sehrawat, often referred to as the “Hi-Flyer”, proved why he remains one of the most feared players in the league. His lightning-fast raids, combined with his ability to outwit defenders with quick escapes, made the difference in crunch moments. Sehrawat scored crucial raid points that helped Tamil Thalaivas maintain momentum, especially in the dying stages when the match was hanging in the balance.
While Pawan provided the star power, Arjun Deshwal ensured the Thalaivas never lost control. His ability to pick up touch points consistently and build pressure on the Titans’ defense proved invaluable. Arjun not only supported Pawan in attack but also showcased maturity by slowing down the game when the Thalaivas needed to protect their lead.
The Telugu Titans, however, were far from pushovers. Their captain led from the front, and their raiders launched a spirited comeback midway through the second half. At one point, the Titans even managed to reduce the Thalaivas to just two players on the mat, threatening to take control of the contest.
But the Thalaivas’ defense held firm under pressure, pulling off key tackles at just the right time. Their corner defenders produced some memorable ankle holds and dashes, stopping the Titans from inflicting an all-out.
As the clock ticked down, the match stood on a knife’s edge at 36-35 in favor of the Thalaivas. The Titans pushed hard for a late equalizer, but an error in defense allowed Pawan to seal the game with a decisive raid, extending the lead to 38-35.
The stadium erupted as the Thalaivas celebrated their hard-fought victory. For fans, it was the perfect start to what promises to be another unforgettable PKL season.
This win will give the Tamil Thalaivas a massive confidence boost as they look to build momentum early in the season. For the Telugu Titans, despite the loss, there were several positives—especially their young raiders showing glimpses of brilliance.
As Season 12 unfolds, both teams will have plenty to fight for, but this opening match will be remembered for its sheer intensity, drama, and the magic of players like Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal.
