The thunder was supposed to roll. Instead, it fell silent. Just days before Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 kicked off, Dabang Delhi K.C. confirmed that their star acquisition, Siddharth “Bahubali” Desai, would not take part in the tournament.
His absence left fans stunned, like a sudden whistle ending a match right before the final raid.
Dabang Delhi’s Bold Move Ends in a Setback
Dabang Delhi had great ideas. In August 2024, they spent ₹26 lakh at the PKL auction to get Siddharth Desai, wanting to create a strong raiding trio with Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik.
Naveen’s quick pace, Ashu’s strategic moves, and Desai’s brute strength. But on October 14, just four days before the league opener, Dabang Delhi dropped a bombshell: Desai was ruled out due to personal reasons. No further details were provided.
“We’re sad to share that our Bahubali, Siddharth Desai, is out of PKL 11 due to personal reasons,” the franchise announced on X (formerly Twitter). (formerly Twitter).
SUGGESTED READ: PKL 2025: Naveen Eyes Glory with Haryana Team
What Happened to Siddharth Desai?
Delhi’s announcement left fans with more questions than answers. Did something get hurt? A problem in the family? Or maybe something that lasts longer?
The team didn’t say anything about an injury, but this quick change has messed up their plan for the game. Desai did not play in the first two games in Delhi, against U Mumba and UP Yoddhas, making people worried.
Similarly, this news is more surprising because of Desai’s recent ups and downs. In PKL 10, he played for Haryana Steelers and got 82 raid points in 17 games.
Even if he wasn’t at his best, people still thought his experience was important for Delhi’s chances of winning the championship.
Siddharth Desai: Then and Now
To understand the void Desai leaves behind, it’s crucial to look at his journey.
| Season | Team | Matches | Raid Points | Avg Points/Game |
| 2018 | U Mumba | 21 | 218 | 10.38 |
| 2019 | Telugu Titans | 22 | 217 | 9.86 |
| 2021 | Telugu Titans | 3 | 34 | 11.33 |
| 2022 | Telugu Titans | 17 | 142 | 8.35 |
| 2023 | Haryana Steelers | 17 | 82 | 4.82 |
Desai, 33 (born December 5, 1991), has been one of PKL’s most feared raiders. Known for his power-packed raids and ability to bulldoze through defenders, he earned the nickname “Bahubali.”
His early seasons were like watching a lion unleashed—raw, unrelenting, and impossible to ignore.
Dabang Delhi Left to Regroup
Now, Dabang Delhi’s raiding is just up to Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik. They are also the co-captains this season.
Moreover, they won their first game but lost to UP Yoddhas. Desai being there might have changed things. Likewise, things got worse because defender Himmat Antil got hurt, so Delhi had to bring in Ankit Mane to take his place.
Similarly, no one has been named to take Desai’s place yet. The team’s path to a second PKL title now seems harder. Delhi needs to change fast if it wants to keep up.
YOU MIGHT READ: Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League 2 is Back in Style
