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New Delhi: A new-look Bengaluru Bulls will aim to take the new season by storm as they gear up for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025. The 12th edition of the league is all set to get underway on August 29, and the champions of PKL 6, Bulls, will open their campaign against Puneri Paltan on the opening day of the tournament.

With a new coach at the helm and a revamped squad, the Bulls would hope to start the season on a high. Bengaluru Bulls removed Randhir Singh Sehrawat as the head coach of the team following their disastrous performance last season and replaced him with their former assistant coach BC Ramesh, who was with the team during their title-winning campaign in the 2018-19 season.

Sehrawat was coaching Bengaluru Bulls right from the inaugural edition of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014. The legendary coach guided the team to six playoffs and one title in 11 seasons during his reign. However, the franchise decided to part ways after the Bulls finished at the bottom of the table after enduring a dismal campaign last season.

Bulls rejigged nearly their entire squad in the PKL 12 player auction earlier this year under the guidance of their new head coach, Ramesh, who has won the PKL title twice as a coach. He led Bengal Warriorz and the Puneri Paltan to PKL title triumphs in the 7th and the 10th season, respectively.

Bengaluru Bulls strengths:

Bengaluru Bulls invested heavily to strengthen their defence ahead of the new season and have one of the best defensive units in the tournament. The franchise splurged a whopping Rs 1.125 crore in the PKL 12 player auction to rope in right corner Yogesh Dahiya, making him the most expensive Indian defender in the league’s history.

Dahiya will significantly bolster the team’s defence as he has been a consistent performer over the last few seasons with 149 tackle points to his name in 45 matches. The Bulls also added right cover Sanjay Dhull and left corner Ankush Rathee at the auction, forming a fearsome defensive unit for the new season.

Bengaluru Bulls weaknesses:

While they have a solid defensive core, the quality on paper in their attack doesn’t look as good heading into the new season. Bulls roped in raider Akash Sinde for Rs 53.10 lakh at the PKL 12 auction, who had 296 raid points to his name in 57 matches in his PKL career so far. Shinde is expected to spearhead the Bulls’ attack next season.

However, he lacks support as there are not enough experienced and proven raiders in the Bulls squad. The franchise retained young raiders Pankaj and Manjeet, while also roping in Aashish Malik from the nominated New Young Players category. However, it remains to be seen if the young guns can step up for the team in the new season.

Bengaluru Bulls opportunities:

There is no dearth of opportunities for the Bengaluru Bulls heading into the new season. They have not managed to win the title in the last five seasons, and have crashed out of the league stage in the last two seasons. They will hope to spark a turnaround under head coach Ramesh this year and will aim to qualify for the playoffs.

Bulls have a strong defensive unit, which will keep them in good stead throughout the season, and if their young raiders can lift their game, they can enjoy a great season. The expectations are high from raider Akash Shinde, and a good season from him might propel the Bulls to their second PKL trophy.

Bengaluru Bulls threats

The lack of experience in their squad and the absence of a proven raider to pair with Akash Shinde in attack can cost Bengaluru Bulls heavily in PKL 2025. They will also be playing under head coach BC Ramesh for the first time this season, and the lack of a leadership figure in the squad might prove to be a hindrance to their progress.