Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas Head-to-Head: PKL Record, Stats and Results
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas is a southern rivalry with a twist: the newer franchise has the better record. Tamil Thalaivas, who joined in Season 5, lead the head-to-head against original franchise Telugu Titans, but Season 12 delivered a split, with the Thalaivas winning the season opener and the Titans getting revenge by 14 points. This guide covers the full head-to-head, both Season 12 matches, the best thrillers in the rivalry and what Season 13 could bring.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas Head-to-Head Record
| Record | Figure |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 18 |
| Tamil Thalaivas wins | 10 |
| Telugu Titans wins | 7 |
| Ties | 1 |
| Season 12 meetings | 1-1 (Thalaivas 38-35, Titans 43-29) |
| Before Season 12 | Thalaivas had won 4 of the previous 5 meetings |
| Only tie | 40-40 in Season 8 |
Why Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas Matters
The Titans represent the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and the Thalaivas represent Tamil Nadu. With strong fan bases on both sides, this fixture is a regular highlight of the southern calendar. In Season 12 it carried extra weight because it opened the entire season, and because Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, who captained the Titans in Season 11, lined up for the Thalaivas against his former team.
| Detail | Telugu Titans | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| Home city | Hyderabad | Chennai |
| First season | Season 1 (2014) | Season 5 (2017) |
| PKL titles | None yet | None yet |
| Season 12 finish | 4th, reached Qualifier 2 | 10th |
| Season 12 score difference | +45 | -36 |
Neither franchise has won the PKL title, which adds an extra edge: both are chasing a first trophy, and the Titans are the only original franchise never to reach a final.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12
Match 1: Tamil Thalaivas 38-35 Telugu Titans
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | August 29, 2025 |
| Venue | Visakhapatnam |
| Occasion | Season 12 opening match |
| Result | Tamil Thalaivas won by 3 points |
| Stars | Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal |
The very first match of Season 12 was played in front of the Titans’ supporters in Vizag. Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal starred as the Thalaivas edged a close contest 38-35. For Pawan, beating the team he had captained a year earlier made the night even more memorable.
Match 42: Telugu Titans 43-29 Tamil Thalaivas
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 19, 2025 |
| Venue | SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur |
| Result | Telugu Titans won by 14 points |
| Stars | Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda |
The Titans came into the rematch after three straight defeats and responded with a commanding performance. Vijay Malik delivered early points and crucial do-or-die raids, and Bharat Hooda added a flurry of successful raids. Arjun Deshwal led a second-quarter fightback for the Thalaivas and produced a late All Out raid, but the Titans were clearly the better side and took revenge for the opening-night defeat.
| Season 12 Meeting | Winner | Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 (Vizag) | Tamil Thalaivas | 38-35 | 3 |
| Match 42 (Jaipur) | Telugu Titans | 43-29 | 14 |
| Combined | 1-1 | Titans 78, Thalaivas 67 |
The second win was a turning point for the Titans, who went on to finish fourth and reach Qualifier 2, their best season in years.
Top Thrillers in Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas History
| Season | Score | Venue | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 6 | Thalaivas 27-23 | Ahmedabad | Ajay Thakur’s three-point Super Raid stretched the lead |
| Season 8 | 40-40 tie | Bengaluru | The Titans stopped Manjeet on the final raid to secure the tie |
| Season 9 | Thalaivas 39-31 | Pune | Ajinkya Pawar’s six-point Super Raid in the final 90 seconds |
| Season 10 | Thalaivas 38-36 | Bengaluru | A final-minute All Out won the match |
| Season 11 | Titans 34-33 | Hyderabad | Ankit’s tackle on Sachin Tanwar sealed a one-point win |
The Six-Point Raid
Ajinkya Pawar’s six-point Super Raid in the closing 90 seconds of a Season 9 meeting is one of the most dramatic moments in the rivalry, turning a tight game into a comfortable Thalaivas win.
The Only Tie
The Season 8 meeting ended 40-40, the only tie in the rivalry so far, after the Titans’ defence stopped Manjeet on the last raid.
Key Players in Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas
| Player | Team | Role | Season 12 Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bharat Hooda | Telugu Titans | All-rounder | 230 raid points, third in the league |
| Vijay Malik | Telugu Titans | All-rounder | Key raids in the Match 42 win |
| Shubham Shinde | Telugu Titans | Right corner | Signed for INR 80 lakh |
| Arjun Deshwal | Tamil Thalaivas | Raider | Starred in the opener |
| Pawan Sehrawat | Tamil Thalaivas | All-rounder / raider | Faced his former team in the opener |
| Nitesh Kumar | Tamil Thalaivas | Left corner | 65 tackle points across the season |
Full rosters are in our Telugu Titans squad and Tamil Thalaivas squad guides.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas: Key Battles
Bharat Hooda vs Nitesh Kumar
Bharat Hooda was one of the most productive raiders in Season 12, and Nitesh Kumar was one of the best young defenders. Their contest is likely to be central to any Season 13 meeting if both are retained.
Arjun Deshwal vs Shubham Shinde
Arjun is one of the league’s greatest raiders, while Shubham Shinde was signed by the Titans to strengthen their right corner. Stopping Arjun is the Titans’ biggest defensive task in this fixture.
Pawan Sehrawat vs His Former Team
Few storylines are stronger than a former captain facing his old team. Whether Pawan stays at the Thalaivas for Season 13 is one of the big retention questions.
How the Rivalry Has Changed
| Stage | Matches | Thalaivas | Titans | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before Season 12 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 |
| Season 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 |
The Thalaivas built their lead through a strong run before Season 12, winning four of the five meetings immediately before it. Season 12 suggested that the momentum may be shifting back towards the Titans, whose 14-point win was one of the most one-sided results the fixture has produced in recent seasons.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas: Playing Styles
Telugu Titans
The Titans built a balanced, all-rounder-heavy team for Season 12, with Bharat Hooda and Vijay Malik able to raid and defend. That flexibility helped them finish fourth and win two knockout matches.
Tamil Thalaivas
The Thalaivas built around star raiders Arjun Deshwal and Pawan Sehrawat, with young defenders such as Nitesh Kumar and Ronak behind them. When the raiders fired, as in the opener, they were dangerous. When they did not, results suffered.
| Style Factor | Telugu Titans | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| Main strength | All-rounders and balance | Star raiders and young corners |
| Season 12 result | 4th, Qualifier 2 | 10th |
| Main risk | Depth across a long season | Raiding consistency |
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas in Season 13
The Titans have already signed four New Young Players for Season 13, including Aryan Dhawale and Himanshu Lather, while the Thalaivas have signed Suthil Darshan and Lakshay Suhag for Seasons 13 and 14. Both teams are investing in youth, and both will make big retention decisions before the auction. Our PKL auction hub explains the process.
| Season 13 Factor | Telugu Titans | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| Momentum | Best season in years | Rebuilding after 10th place |
| New Young Players | Four signed | Two signed |
| Key question | Keeping the all-rounder core | Future of Arjun Deshwal and Pawan Sehrawat |
Prediction
On Season 12 form, the Titans start Season 13 slightly ahead. But the Thalaivas lead the overall series and have won this fixture more often in recent years, so the rivalry remains finely balanced.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas: Season 12 Team Comparison
Comparing the two teams across the full Season 12 league stage gives context to their head-to-head meetings.
| Season 12 Stat | Telugu Titans | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 4th | 10th |
| Wins-losses | 10-8 | 6-12 |
| Score difference | +45 | -36 |
| League points | 20 | 12 |
| Leading raider | Bharat Hooda (230) | Arjun Deshwal (11.61 per match) |
| Key defender | Shubham Shinde | Nitesh Kumar (65) |
The Titans finished six places higher and with a much better score difference, which explains their dominant win in the rematch. The Thalaivas’ opening-night victory showed what their star raiders can do on their best day.
How Each Team Can Win the Next Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas Match
What Telugu Titans Need
- Big raiding contributions from Bharat Hooda and Vijay Malik.
- A disciplined right corner to limit the Thalaivas’ lead raider.
- Carrying their Season 12 playoff confidence into the new season.
What Tamil Thalaivas Need
- Their star raiders firing together, as they did in the opener.
- Nitesh Kumar and Ronak containing the Titans’ all-rounders.
- Avoiding the slow starts that cost them in the 43-29 defeat.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas: Rivalry Facts
- The Thalaivas lead the series 10-7 after 18 meetings, with one tie.
- This fixture opened Season 12 on August 29, 2025.
- The only tie was a 40-40 draw in Season 8.
- Pawan Sehrawat captained the Titans in Season 11 and played for the Thalaivas in Season 12.
- Neither franchise has won the PKL title yet.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas Rivalry Timeline
These moments shaped the rivalry from its first meeting to the end of Season 12.
| When | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Season 5 (2017) | Tamil Thalaivas join the league, creating the fixture |
| Season 8 | The only tie, 40-40 |
| Season 11 | Titans win 34-33 in Hyderabad |
| August 29, 2025 | Thalaivas win the Season 12 opener 38-35 |
| September 19, 2025 | Titans win 43-29 in Jaipur |
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas: Fantasy Kabaddi Picks to Watch
For fans who play fantasy kabaddi, these players stood out in the most recent meetings. Squads may change after the Season 13 auction, so check line-ups before each match.
| Player | Why to Watch |
|---|---|
| Bharat Hooda | Third in the league for raid points in Season 12 |
| Vijay Malik | Key raids in the Titans’ 43-29 win |
| Nitesh Kumar | Strong tackle numbers across the season |
Raiders usually score more fantasy points, but defenders who collect High 5s and super tackles can be valuable differentials in close derby matches. Our raid points and tackle points guide explains how PKL scoring works.
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas: Our Verdict
Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas remains one of the most balanced southern rivalries in PKL. The Thalaivas lead 10-7 overall, but Season 12 ended level, and the Titans’ 14-point win came during their best season in years. Both franchises are still chasing a first title, both have invested in new young players, and both face key retention decisions. That combination makes this fixture one to watch closely once the Season 13 schedule is released.
Where to Watch Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas
The Season 13 broadcaster has not been announced. In Season 12, matches were shown on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar. Check our PKL live streaming guide for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas head-to-head record?
After 18 meetings up to the end of Season 12, Tamil Thalaivas have 10 wins, Telugu Titans have 7, and one match was tied.
Who won Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12?
They won one each. Tamil Thalaivas won the season opener 38-35 on August 29, 2025, and Telugu Titans won 43-29 in Jaipur on September 19, 2025.
Has the rivalry ever ended in a tie?
Yes, once. The teams drew 40-40 in Season 8.
Have Telugu Titans or Tamil Thalaivas won the PKL title?
No. Neither team has won the PKL title yet. Telugu Titans are the only original franchise never to reach a final.
Which player has played for both teams?
Pawan Kumar Sehrawat captained Telugu Titans in Season 11 and played for Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12.
What was the biggest win in recent meetings?
Telugu Titans’ 43-29 win in Season 12, a 14-point margin, was one of the most one-sided results in recent meetings.
Which team leads Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas overall?
Tamil Thalaivas lead with 10 wins to Telugu Titans’ 7, with one tie, after 18 meetings.
When will Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas be played in Season 13?
The Season 13 schedule has not been released. Fixtures are expected after the player auction, with the season due to start in late December 2026.
Who won the Season 12 opening match?
Tamil Thalaivas won the Season 12 opening match, beating Telugu Titans 38-35 in Visakhapatnam on August 29, 2025, with Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal starring.
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