Dabang Delhi Stuns Bengal Warriors 39-30 in Pune Showdown

- Kieran Montague
- 17 October 2025
- 0 Comments
When Dabang Delhi K.C. walked onto the mat at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex on , the buzz in the arena was unmistakable. The Delhi side needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they delivered a 39‑30 victory over the Bengal Warriors. Naveen Kumar emerged as the star raider, racking up 11 raid points – ten touches and a solitary bonus – in just 22 raids. The result not only gave Delhi a crucial three‑point cushion in the league table but also sent shockwaves through the fans of both teams.
Season 6 Overview: The Bigger Picture
The clash in Pune was part of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 6India, a tournament that ran from October 7, 2018, to January 5, 2019. Administered by Mashal Sports, the league featured twelve franchises battling through a double‑round‑robin format before the playoffs. In total, 138 matches were played across venues from Delhi to Kolkata, with the final showdown in Mumbai seeing Bengaluru Bulls lift the trophy.
Match Highlights at Pune
Right from the opening whistle, Delhi pressed hard. Naveen Kumar launched his first raid at the 1:12 mark, securing a touch point that set the tone. By the end of the first half, Delhi led 19‑14, thanks to a mix of successful raids and a couple of well‑timed bonus points.
The second half saw Bengal push back, narrowing the gap to 28‑27 with a daring super raid from their talisman Maninder Singh. But Delhi’s defense held firm. Vishal Mane chipped in a tackle point from right cover, while Viraj Vishnu added another from left cover, keeping Bengal’s raiders at bay.
In the final five minutes, Naveen pulled off two consecutive touches, pushing the tally to 36‑30. A late bonus point for Delhi sealed the 39‑30 scoreline, prompting a roar from the home crowd.
Key Performers and Stats
- Naveen Kumar (Delhi raider): 11 raid points (10 touches, 1 bonus) from 22 raids; 9 successful, 13 unsuccessful.
- Vishal Mane (Defender, Right Cover): 1 tackle point, 4 attempts (1 success).
- Viraj Vishnu (Defender, Left Cover): 1 tackle point, 3 attempts (1 success).
- Maninder Singh (Bengal raider): 8 points, including a super raid.
- Overall team efficiency: Delhi’s raid success rate 41 %, Bengal’s 35 %.
The numbers tell a clear story – Delhi’s raiding machine out‑paced Bengal’s defense, while the Warriors’ tackle count lagged behind the league average of 2.3 per match.

Reactions from Teams and Fans
After the final whistle, Delhi coach Anil Kumar praised his side’s resilience. "We stuck to the game plan, kept the pressure on, and Naveen delivered when it mattered," he said in a post‑match interview.
Bengal’s captain Rohit Kumar was more measured. "We had our chances, but Delhi’s defense was tighter than we expected. We'll learn and come back stronger," he remarked, a sentiment echoed by fans on social media who praised the Warriors’ fighting spirit despite the loss.
Broadcasters from Star Sports highlighted the match as a turning point for Delhi’s playoff push, noting that the win propelled the team to 68 points in the league phase – a tally high enough to guarantee a spot in the quarter‑finals.
Impact on Playoffs and Legacy
The Pune victory was more than just three points. It cemented Delhi’s reputation as a raiding powerhouse and gave them a psychological edge heading into the knockout stage. In the subsequent eliminator on December 30, 2018, Delhi again faced Bengal, this time winning 39‑28 and securing a spot in the semi‑finals.
For Bengal, the loss exposed defensive frailties that they addressed in later matches, but the early exit underscored the intense competition of Season 6. The Warriors finished the league with 61 points, just shy of the top‑four cutoff.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Dabang Delhi and Bengal Warriors?
As the season wound down, Delhi’s management announced plans to bolster their bench strength ahead of the next campaign, eyeing emerging talent from the junior circuit. The franchise also hinted at a possible change in coaching staff, aiming to convert their raiding dominance into a more balanced defensive setup.
Bengal Warriors, meanwhile, intend to retain their core raiders while recruiting a seasoned defender to plug the gaps exposed in Pune. Their fans remain optimistic, recalling the team’s strong performances in earlier seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Pune win affect Dabang Delhi’s playoff chances?
The three‑point boost took Delhi to 68 league points, comfortably securing a quarter‑final berth. It also gave them a higher seeding, meaning they faced a theoretically weaker opponent in the eliminator.
What were the key factors behind Bengal Warriors’ loss?
Bengal struggled to contain Delhi’s raiders, managing only 30 points. Their tackle success rate fell below the league average, and missed super raids in the second half proved costly.
Who was the top scorer of the entire Season 6?
The season’s highest point‑getter was Pawan Sehrawat of the Bengaluru Bulls, who amassed 271 raid points across 22 matches.
When and where does the next Pro Kabaddi match take place?
The next league fixture is scheduled for at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, featuring the Hyderabad Hotshots against UP Yoddha.
What changes are expected for the Warriors in the upcoming season?
Team officials have confirmed they will invest in a specialist defensive coach and scout for a left‑corner defender who can neutralize top raiders like Naveen Kumar.