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As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) approaches its 11th season, fans eagerly await another round of thrilling competition, starting on Friday, October 18, 2024. Puneri Paltan, who won their maiden title last year after defeating Haryana Steelers in the final, will be looking forward to continuing a similar campaign in the upcoming season.
A total of 10 seasons of Pro Kabaddi League have been played so far. While teams like Patna Pirates (three titles) and Jaipur Pink Panthers (two titles) have tasted success, there are three franchises that, despite their potential and efforts, have never managed to reach the PKL final.
Here’s a look at these teams that have faced repeated setbacks over the years in their quest for glory:
3 teams that failed to make it to the Pro Kabaddi League finals
#3 UP Yoddhas
UP Yoddhas, who debuted in the fifth season of the Pro Kabaddi League, successfully qualified for the playoffs by finishing third in Group B. Later, they also made it to the playoffs consecutively in the next four seasons.
Despite their strong performances, the UP Yoddhas team has not been able to reach the final match even once to date.
The 2023 season, however, marked a particularly difficult year for the team, as they won just four out of 22 matches and finished near the bottom of the table. With stars like Pardeep Narwal and Surender Gill, there were high hopes for the squad, but the synergy that previously propelled them to the playoffs failed to deliver last year.
#2 Tamil Thalaivas
The Tamil Thalaivas, another team that debuted in Season 5, have had a rocky road in PKL. The Tamil Nadu-based team was successful in making it to the playoffs in Pro Kabaddi League Season 9. However, they lost to Puneri Paltan 37-39 in the semi-final match.
Whether it's due to injuries, poor form, or sheer bad luck, the Thalaivas have struggled to find the right balance that could propel them to the final.
The Thalaivas will need to build on the potential of their young squad and address their tactical weaknesses if they hope to challenge the league's top teams and finally secure a final berth.
#1 Telugu Titans
One of the league’s founding teams, the Telugu Titans, have arguably had the most heartbreaking journey of all. Despite being part of the league since its inception, they have never managed to achieve this milestone.
The team has reached the semi-finals only twice (PKL Season-2 and 4) but couldn’t progress further, losing to Bengaluru Bulls and Jaipur Pink Panthers, respectively.
Their once-feared attack now seems disjointed, and despite having players like Pawan Sehrawat and Siddharth Desai in their ranks in past seasons, the Titans have been unable to capitalize on individual talent.
Over the years, the Titans have struggled to maintain the form that made them early contenders. In recent seasons, they’ve consistently found themselves at the bottom of the table. In 2023, the Titans managed only two wins and one tie, finishing last for the third straight season.
