The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has turned Indian Kabaddi into a professional sport with franchises operating as Indian/Asia sporting teams since 2014. Patna Pirates, U Mumba, and Jaipur Pink Panthers have built their legacy on transforming the league and expanding the franchises from 8 to a forecasted 12 by 2025. Their teams and fan bases have created a cultural impact, with the loyalty of fans and the team’s gameplay built on strategic ideas of piracy, urban resilience, and royalty.
Patna Pirates: Origins of the “Pirate” Identity
The Patna Pirates have been captivated by the state of Bihar’s piracy since the team’s founding. The team ownership by Rajesh V. Shah since 2014 has embodied the “unrelenting and fearless” mentality by embracing the “pirate” identity. This aggressive identity is characterized by a raiding philosophy that emphasizes do-or-die tactics, designed to dismantle enemy formations. The green-and-yellow uniforms of the team further epitomize this “swashbuckling” mentality, characterized by fearless and aggressive raiding. The colors also represent the fertile lands of the Gangetic plains.
The peak of the Pirates’ dynasty was in 2016 and 2017, when they won three titles in a row: Seasons 3, 4, and 5. Under Narwal’s leadership, they won 369 points in a single season. In a single playoff match against the Haryana Steelers, Narwal even set a record by scoring 34 points. Fans who analyzed Narwal’s peak performance against the kabaddi bet platforms of that time showed how Narwal’s 19 Super 10s made offensive kabaddi a dominant force in the league. With 1,043 raids, Narwal achieved a success rate of 38%, making 34 all-outs for 68 points. Defending Neeraj Kumar also made a significant impact, dominating the team with 242 tackles at a 39% success rate.
- Peak Season Tactical Signature: An average of 12 do-or-die raids per match.
- Key Stats: From Narwal in 2017: 38% raid success and 19 Super 10s.
- Cultural Link: Aggressive wrestling from the Bihar akharas.
- Fan Reach: 5 million.
Patna Pirates: Challenges and Path to Revival
The Pirates faced the first major challenges to their identity in 2018. After missing the playoffs in Season 6, the team had to make some tough decisions about its roster. In 2024, they faced the finals under coach Anup Kumar and captain Ankit Jaglan, but lost 32-23 to the Haryana Steelers.
The signing of Jang Kun Lee for Rs 30 lakh and the decision to keep Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh for the 2025 season are statements about the Pirates’ plans to reclaim their position of dominance in raiding. He has projected 626 tackle attempts to positively impact their 69-point single-match record. Tracking these revivals involves tools such as a MelBet ID for in-depth match analysis and betting trend tracking. Analysts observe that the Pirates’ pirate emblem helps with recruitment—attracting aggressive players from Bihar’s akharas—and also maintains a social media following of over 5 million, based on the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna, where the Pirates hold home games.
U Mumba: Starting Defensive Foundations and Their Origins
Since 2014, U Mumba has been representing Mumbai under Unilazer Ventures, which is owned by Ronnie Screwvala. U Mumba is fast, yet calculated when playing kabaddi, which makes for a great display of the city’s ethos. U Mumba’s playing style is centered on defensive foundations, with opportunistic raids, which embody the city’s ethos. Their playing style earned them a title win in 2015 (Season 2). They defeated Bengaluru Bulls 36–30 and topped the league in tackle points with 196, averaging 12.25 per match. U Mumba’s orange kits signify the visibility of the coastal fisherfolk, which is a clutter-breaker in the fluid exchanges of kabaddi.
U Mumba has always had a history of steady evolution rather than outright dominance. Credibility was built with three back-to-back finals appearances between 2014 and 2016, but lost to the Jaipur Pink Panthers and Patna Pirates due to 2 weak raiders. U Mumba experienced a mid-league dip, which led to them missing the playoffs in seasons 5 and 6. However, the reset under coach Gholamreza Mazandarani helped U Mumba regain its form.
Jaipur Pink Panthers: The “Pink” Brand and Early Triumphs
Established in 2014 as a Pink Panthers franchise, Abhishek Bachchan Pink Panthers utilizes the “Pink City” heritage for a brand image based on “elegance and ferocity,” with pink and blue kits as a reference to the Pink Panther and the “Pink City” Rajasthan forts. This brand image focuses on raiding agility, audience-pleasing do-or-dies, and stadium chants of “Roar for the Panthers” in favor of the home team, who have the home advantage at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium.
Patna Pirates’ Title-Winning Seasons: Key Stats and Performers
| Season | Key Achievement | Top Performer | Raid Points | Tackle Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2014) | First Title Win | Manjeet Chillar | 89 | 45 |
| 4 (2016) | Runners-Up | Deepak Hooda | 156 | 28 |
| 9 (2022) | Second Title | Siddharth Desai | 228 | 32 |
| 11 (2024) | Semi-Finalists | Ajinkya Pawar | 150 | 22 |
This table highlights the key milestones of the Panthers. It balances the shifts of early raiding dominance with controlled revivals.
Resurgence & Brand Endurance: Jaipur Pink Panthers
The Panthers’ recent history suggests a resurgence. In 2023 and 2024, the Panthers reached the semifinals, with the emergence of Ajinkya Pawar, who scored more than 150, contributing significantly. Looking to 2025, Captain Ajinkya Pawar heads a balanced team with a mix of veterans and young players, such as Nitin Rawal. They will be within reach of a third title, with 711,000 followers on Facebook. The brand’s recap of its 2015 logo—including a champion, proud panther—reinforces Jaipur’s regional heritage, culturally drawing on the panther’s participation in the city’s festivals.
The Panthers’ experience continues branding with purpose. For example, they have held on to their title sponsors, Indinews, and kit partner, TYKA, since 2022. The Panthers hold two titles—tied for the third most in the league, behind Patna’s three—with a dynasty that has been reignited through strategic auctions and cohesive storytelling.
