The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) kicked off on October 18, 2024, and so far, only the fixtures of the 1st leg of the tournament have already been announced. This is the 11th edition of the PKL, and so far, 26 matches have been played. This means, there are still 18 matches left before we move on to the 2nd leg with matches to be held at the Noida Indoor Stadium.
Puneri Paltan are this year’s defending champions after beating Haryana Steelers during the final last year. They have been off to a great start, so, unsurprisingly, they’re still one of the favorites to win this year.
But before you check for PKL match predictions today, let’s look into what fans are expecting from the tournament and their favorite teams this year. This season is already shaping up to be an exciting one, so before casting in your bets or if you simply want to know the odds of certain teams winning, get to know what you could expect on this 2024 PKL.
Favorite Teams To Win So Far
So let’s start with the favorite teams so far. As mentioned, Puneri Paltan remains a favorite to win. See the latest points table below so you have a glimpse of how they and other teams have been performing so far:
| Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
| Puneri Paltan | 7 | 5 | 1 | 60 | 29 |
| Tamil Thalaivas | 6 | 3 | 2 | 33 | 20 |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 6 | 3 | 2 | 24 | 19 |
| UP Yoddhas | 7 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 19 |
| U Mumba | 6 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 19 |
| Bengal Warriors | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Haryana Steelers | 5 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 16 |
| Patna Pirates | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| Telugu Titans | 6 | 3 | 3 | -36 | 16 |
| Dabang Delhi | 7 | 2 | 5 | -21 | 14 |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 7 | 2 | 5 | -45 | 12 |
| Gujarat Giants | 5 | 1 | 4 | -46 | 7 |
Updated as of October 11, 2024
That does look like a strong start for Puneri Paltan as they have already secured 5 wins in 7 matches played. Their score difference of +60 further solidifies their top position, and other teams will have to work harder to catch up.
Paltans do have a great lineup this year with players like Aslam Inamdar, Gaurav Khatri, and Mohit Goyat have consistently delivered strong performances. Inamdar, in particular, has been a standout, contributing significantly with his raiding and leadership skills.
The team’s strategy and gameplay have been well-coordinated, with a balanced mix of aggressive offensive plays and a robust defensive setup. This has allowed them to overcome various challenges and maintain their winning streak. It’s gonna be easy for many to think that they could end up with their second PKL title this year.
Another favorite to win the 2024 PKL season is Dabang Delhi KC. They were the champions in Season 8 and have consistently performed well in recent seasons. After all, they did reach the playoffs during the last five PKL seasons, and we might still see them improve their standings in a few more matches.
The team is under the guidance of Joginder Narwal, a former PKL champion who brings valuable title-winning experience as head coach. They have also retained most of their star players and added great new talents like Siddarth Desai.
Players to Watch Out For
Now, what about the players to watch out for? Here are some names that have been stirring up some intense conversations between fans this year:
Pawan Sehrawat (Telugu Titans): This guy has been a standout performer for the Telugu Titans this season. His raiding skills have been exceptional, with a notable performance against the Bengaluru Bulls where he scored 14 points, including a Super Raid and the first All Out of the match. Sehrawat’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure have been key to the Titans’ success, making him a player to watch out for.
Pardeep Narwal (Bengaluru Bulls): Pardeep continues to dominate the Pro Kabaddi League with his exceptional raiding abilities. His recent performances have been crucial for the Bengaluru Bulls, with a notable 12-point raid against the Telugu Titans.
Narender Kandola (Tamil Thalaivas): Kandola has been a consistent performer for the Tamil Thalaivas. His recent match against the Telugu Titans saw him score 10 points, including a Super Raid that helped his team secure a 44-29 victory.
Ajinkya Pawar: He has shown great raiding potential this season. In a recent match against the Telugu Titans, he scored 9 points, including a High 5 and a Super Raid.
Conclusion
Stakes are getting higher, and as we go through the matches, it’s interesting how the season might end. Even if Puneri Paltan is so far high up the points ladder, there are still a lot of matches to watch out for. It’s expected that the season will have 137 matches in total, so we still pretty much only scratched the surface.
Be sure to tune in to Star Sports Network on your TV, or stream the matches online on Disney+ Hotstar in India to never miss out on this year’s PKL.
