Watch Out for the Telugu Titans Predicted Starting 7 in PKL 12

Telugu Titans, chasing their first PKL title, have retained key players and made smart buys ahead of 2025. Vijay Malik, sixth-best raider last season with 172 points, returns alongside Bharat Hooda (₹81 lakh) and Ashish Narwal (120 points). Defence features Shubham Shinde (₹80 lakh), Aman Antil, Sagar Rawal, and Ajit Pawar. They aim to end their playoff drought since 2016.

After the disappointment of missing the PKL 11 playoffs by just one spot, the Telugu Titans have retained much of their core while making key additions for the 2025 season. The team, still chasing their first-ever PKL title despite being part of the inaugural season, showed early promise last year but faltered due to inconsistent form and captain Pawan Sehrawat’s injury woes, finishing seventh with 12 wins and 10 losses.

For PKL 12, the Titans parted ways with Pawan and instead invested in Vijay Malik, last season’s sixth-best raider with 172 points, using an FBM card to retain him. They also splashed Rs. 81 lakhs on Bharat Hooda, hoping he can rediscover his PKL 9 form, and brought back Ashish Narwal for Rs. 15.70 lakhs after his 120-point season. In defence, Shubham Shinde was signed for Rs. 80 lakhs to join seasoned corners alongside Aman Antil, who has three seasons with over 50 tackle points.

The retained cover duo of Sagar Rawal and Ajit Pawar complete the lineup. Under coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, the Titans’ predicted starting seven features Ashish Narwal (Raider), Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda (All-rounders), with Shinde, Antil, Rawal, and Pawar in defence, aiming for a stronger playoff push this season.