When Ayan Lohchab, Patna Pirates surged to the top of the raid‑points chart with 150 points after 12 games, and Nitesh Kumar, the stalwart defender for Tamil Thalaivas locked in 53 tackle points, the race for the coveted Orange and Green Bands in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 heated up. The season, officially labeled Season 12Delhi, kicked off on August 29 and has already delivered a roller‑coaster of performances across twelve franchise teams.

Season Overview and Current Standings

By October 16, the league’s leaderboard reflected a dramatic shuffle. Early‑season leader Devank Dalal, Bengal Warriors started with a whopping 220 raid points, but a series of low‑scoring outings saw him slip behind the emergent Ayan. Meanwhile, Gaurav Khatri, captain of Puneri Paltan remains a top‑10 defender, yet the lead is firmly held by Nitesh.

• Top Raider: Ayan Lohchab (Patna Pirates) – 150 points
• Second Raider: Ashu Malik (Dabang Delhi KC) – 146 points
• Top Defender: Nitesh Kumar (Tamil Thalaivas) – 53 tackle points
• Third Raider: Alireza Mirzaian (Bengaluru Bulls) – 143 points
• Most ‘High‑5’ Tackles: Jaideep Dahiya (Haryana Steelers) – 5 in a single match

Key Raiders: Performance and Numbers

The raid leaderboard is a who's‑who of explosive talent. Ayan’s consistency—averaging 12.5 points per match—has been praised by his coach, Rohit Sharma. "He reads the opposition's defense like a book," Sharma said after a narrow win over Jaipur Pink Panthers on October 12.

Close on his heels, Ashu Malik, captain of Dabang Delhi KC, logged 146 points. His recent ‘Super 10’ against the Jaipur side, where he clocked 10 raid points in a single bout, kept his team unbeaten through the first three weeks.

Meanwhile, Iranian import Alireza Mirzaian of the Bengaluru Bulls surprised analysts by leap‑frogging veteran Bharat Hooda to sit fifth on the table.

Defensive Titans: Who’s Holding the Fort

Nitesh Kumar’s 53 tackle points have been a blend of sheer aggression and strategic timing. As he put it in a post‑match interview, "Every tackle is about patience; I wait for the raider to over‑extend." His performance earned him a coveted ‘High‑5’ against the Haryana Steelers on October 14.

Other defenders making a mark include Jaideep Dahiya, captain of the Haryana Steelers, who racked up a remarkable 5‑tackle haul in the 53‑26 demolition of UP Yoddhas on October 16. His teammate Shivam Patare contributed 14 raid points in the same fixture, highlighting the Steelers’ balanced approach.

Puneri Paltan’s Gaurav Khatri also lingered near the top of the defender board, with 48 tackle points and a reputation for clutch stops in the league’s tight moments.

Recent Match Highlights Impacting the Race

Two matchups in the last week reshaped the leaderboard.

• Haryana Steelers 53 – 26 UP Yoddhas (Oct 16): A dominant display where Shivam Patare’s 14 raid points and Jaideep Dahiya’s ‘High‑5’ tilted the balance.
• UP Yoddhas 40 – 24 U Mumba (Oct 13): Guman Singh’s Super 10 (12 raid points) revived Yoddhas’ campaign after a two‑game slump.

These results not only shifted individual point totals but also cemented the Steel’s position within the top‑four teams heading to the playoffs.

What’s Next: Playoffs and the Orange/Green Bands

The round‑robin phase is slated to wrap by the end of October, after which the top six teams will battle for a spot in the semifinals. The Orange Band—awarded to the raider with the highest cumulative points—will likely stay in Ayan’s hands unless a late‑season surge from Ashu Malik or Shivam Patare materializes.

On the defensive side, the Green Band is still very much up for grabs. Analysts from Sportskeeda predict a tight finish between Nitesh Kumar, Jaideep Dahiya, and Gaurav Khatri, especially if the remaining matches see the usual tactical shifts that favor high‑tackle counts.

Fans can expect the usual drama: last‑minute raid points, surprise ‘Super 10’ performances, and the inevitable nail‑biting finish that has made PKL a staple of Indian sports entertainment.