Bengal Warriorz Aim for Revival in PKL 12 with Fresh Leadership

Bengal Warriorz, title winners in 2019 but tenth last season, eye a turnaround in PKL 12 under new coach Naveen Kumar. The team spent Rs 2.205 crore on raider Devank Dalal, co-captaining with defender Nitesh Kumar. Veteran Jang-Kun Lee returns, while dual captaincy and youth focus highlight Warriorz’ strategy for a strong comeback.

When the Bengal Warriorz begin their PKL 2025 campaign, they will be aiming to end a disappointing run that has seen them miss the playoffs since their 2019 title win and finish tenth last season. The franchise has undergone major changes in leadership and strategy. Naveen Kumar has replaced Prashant Surve as head coach, while the experienced duo of Maninder Singh and Fazel Atrachali have departed.

In a fresh approach, the team has introduced dual captaincy, with young star raider Devank Dalal named Team Captain and Nitesh Kumar as Defence Captain. The Warriorz made a bold statement at the auction by signing Devank, the breakout star of PKL 11 who scored 301 raid points for Patna Pirates, for Rs. 2.205 crore, making him the second-most expensive player of the season. To balance expectations, Nitesh will share the leadership burden, allowing Devank to focus on raiding.

Veteran South Korean raider Jang-Kun Lee has also rejoined, bringing valuable experience and depth. Coach Naveen stressed the importance of consistency and individual improvement, while Nitesh highlighted the need to keep the young squad motivated. With new PKL rules promising aggressive play and decisive results, Bengal Warriorz will rely on a mix of youth and experience in their quest for a second title.