Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas Head-to-Head: Southern Derby Record and Stats
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas is PKL’s southern derby, a rivalry between neighbouring states that has produced some of the league’s tightest finishes. For years it was one-sided, with the Bulls winning eight meetings in a row. More recently, Tamil Thalaivas have closed the gap, and Season 12 ended level at one win each. This guide covers the full head-to-head record, the Season 12 matches, the best thrillers in the rivalry’s history and what to expect in Season 13.
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas Head-to-Head Record
| Record | Figure |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 18 |
| Bengaluru Bulls wins | 13 |
| Tamil Thalaivas wins | 5 |
| Ties | 0 |
| Season 12 meetings | 1-1 (Thalaivas 35-29, Bulls 33-29) |
| Since Season 9 (8 matches) | Bulls 5, Thalaivas 3 |
| Longest winning run | Bulls, 8 straight wins between Seasons 5 and 8 |
The overall record still strongly favours Bengaluru, but the trend has shifted. Tamil Thalaivas won three of the five meetings before the final Season 12 match, including a win in Season 11 and the first Season 12 derby.
Why Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas Matters
The Bulls represent Karnataka and the Thalaivas represent Tamil Nadu, two neighbouring southern states with strong kabaddi traditions. The league itself calls this fixture the southern derby, and it often draws big crowds when it is played in a southern host city.
| Detail | Bengaluru Bulls | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| Home city | Bengaluru | Chennai |
| First season | Season 1 (2014) | Season 5 (2017) |
| PKL titles | 1 (Season 6) | None yet |
| Season 12 finish | 3rd, lost in Eliminator 2 | 10th |
| Season 12 score difference | +97 | -36 |
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12
Match 36: Tamil Thalaivas 35-29 Bengaluru Bulls
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 16, 2025 |
| Venue | SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur |
| Result | Tamil Thalaivas won by 6 points |
| Super 10s | Arjun Deshwal (Thalaivas), Alireza Mirzaeian (Bulls) |
The Bulls arrived on a four-match winning streak and led 20-14 at half-time after an All Out sparked by Alireza Mirzaeian. Arjun Deshwal then completed his Super 10, and the Thalaivas inflicted an All Out of their own to take the lead. Late raids from Ganesha Hanamantagol and Alireza cut the gap to three, but Narender Kandola’s tackle on Ganesha sealed a six-point win. The Thalaivas’ defence made the difference, with 12 tackle points to the Bulls’ five.
Match 66: Bengaluru Bulls 33-29 Tamil Thalaivas
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 5, 2025 |
| Venue | SDAT Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai |
| Result | Bengaluru Bulls won by 4 points |
| Standouts | Alireza Mirzaeian (Super 10), Sanjay Dhull (High 5 and late Super Tackle) |
| Milestone | Arjun Deshwal reached 1,300 PKL raid points |
Playing in Chennai, the Thalaivas led 18-17 at half-time after Arjun Deshwal’s raid forced an All Out. Alireza Mirzaeian then sent Nitesh Kumar to the bench, the Bulls led 23-21 after 30 minutes, and Sanjay Dhull’s Super Tackle in the final minute secured a four-point win.
| Season 12 Meeting | Winner | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 36 | Tamil Thalaivas | 35-29 | Jaipur |
| Match 66 | Bengaluru Bulls | 33-29 | Chennai |
| Combined | 1-1 | Bulls 62, Thalaivas 64 |
Top Thrillers in Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas History
The league has highlighted several classic southern derbies. Every one of them went Bengaluru’s way, which explains the overall record.
| Season and Match | Score | Venue | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 5, Match 12 | Bulls 32-31 | Nagpur | The Thalaivas erased a 23-8 half-time deficit but fell one point short |
| Season 7, Match 70 | Bulls 33-27 | Bengaluru | Mohit Sehrawat’s Super Tackle on Ajay Thakur swung the match |
| Season 9, Match 77 | Bulls 40-34 | Pune | Neeraj Narwal’s late Super Tackle gave the Bulls control |
| Season 10, Match 50 | Bulls 38-37 | Noida | Bharat Hooda scored nine points in a one-point win |
| Season 11, Match 34 | Bulls 36-32 | Hyderabad | Surinder Dehal’s stop on Sachin protected the lead |
The Great Comeback That Fell Short
The very first meeting, in Season 5, set the tone. The Thalaivas, led by Ajay Thakur, trailed 23-8 at half-time and fought back to 31-30, only for the Bulls to hold on 32-31. It was the first sign that this rivalry would rarely be straightforward.
Key Players in Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas
| Player | Team | Role | Derby Impact in Season 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alireza Mirzaeian | Bengaluru Bulls | All-rounder | Super 10 in both meetings |
| Sanjay Dhull | Bengaluru Bulls | Right cover | High 5 and match-winning Super Tackle in Match 66 |
| Deepak S | Bengaluru Bulls | Left corner | Strong tackles on Arjun Deshwal |
| Arjun Deshwal | Tamil Thalaivas | Raider | Super 10 in Match 36; reached 1,300 raid points |
| Narender Kandola | Tamil Thalaivas | Raider | Match-sealing tackle in Match 36 |
| Nitesh Kumar | Tamil Thalaivas | Left corner | Key tackles in both games |
Full rosters are in our Bengaluru Bulls squad and Tamil Thalaivas squad guides.
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas: Key Battles
Alireza Mirzaeian vs Nitesh Kumar
Bengaluru’s Iranian raider scored a Super 10 in both Season 12 derbies, while Nitesh Kumar was the Thalaivas’ best defender with 65 tackle points across the season. When Alireza sent Nitesh to the bench in Match 66, the momentum swung to the Bulls.
Arjun Deshwal vs Deepak S
Arjun Deshwal is one of PKL’s all-time leading raiders, and Deepak S was Bengaluru’s top tackler in Season 12 with 64 tackle points. Their duel decided long stretches of both matches.
Super Tackles at the Finish
Close derbies are often settled by a single super tackle. Neeraj Narwal in Season 9 and Sanjay Dhull in Season 12 both delivered late super tackles to win the match for the Bulls.
| Battle | Season 12 Edge |
|---|---|
| Alireza Mirzaeian vs Nitesh Kumar | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Arjun Deshwal vs Deepak S | Even |
| Defensive tackle points | Thalaivas in Match 36, Bulls in Match 66 |
How the Rivalry Has Changed
| Period | Matches | Bulls | Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons 5 to 8 | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Seasons 9 to 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Total | 18 | 13 | 5 |
The Bulls built most of their lead in the rivalry’s first few seasons, including an eight-match winning run. Since Season 9, the gap has been much smaller, and the Thalaivas won three of five meetings in a stretch spanning Seasons 11 and 12.
Connected Players and Coaches
The southern derby has strong personal links. Pawan Kumar Sehrawat became a superstar at Bengaluru Bulls under coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat, then played for Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12. Bharat Hooda, who won a Season 10 derby with nine points for the Bulls, starred for Telugu Titans in Season 12. Randhir Singh Sehrawat, who coached the Bulls from Season 1 to Season 11, will lead Gujarat Giants in Season 13.
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas in Season 13
The two teams head into Season 13 from very different positions. The Bulls finished third with the league’s best score difference, while the Thalaivas finished tenth and face big decisions on their star raiders. Fan contract trackers report that young Bulls such as Aashish Malik and Deepak S, and young Thalaivas such as Nitesh Kumar and Ronak, stay automatically. Our PKL auction hub explains how retentions and the auction will reshape both squads.
| Season 13 Factor | Bengaluru Bulls | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| Season 12 form | Strong league stage | Rebuilding |
| Key decision | Keeping Yogesh Dahiya and Alireza Mirzaeian | Arjun Deshwal and Pawan Sehrawat |
| Coaching | After Randhir Singh Sehrawat’s departure | Reported coaching change |
Prediction
History and Season 12 form favour the Bulls, but the Thalaivas have shown they can win this fixture. With both squads set to change at the auction, the southern derby could be one of the most unpredictable fixtures of Season 13.
Bengaluru Bulls 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 | Bengaluru Bulls | Tamil Thalaivas |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 3rd | 10th |
| Wins-losses | 11-7 | 6-12 |
| Score difference | +97 | -36 |
| League points | 22 | 12 |
| Leading raider | Alireza Mirzaeian (197) | Arjun Deshwal (11.61 per match) |
| Key defender | Deepak S (64) | Nitesh Kumar (65) |
On paper, the Bulls were far stronger across Season 12, finishing seven places higher with a score difference 133 points better. Yet the Thalaivas still won one of the two derbies, which shows how differently this fixture can play out from the wider league table.
How Each Team Can Win the Next Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas Match
What Bengaluru Bulls Need
- Alireza Mirzaeian keeping up his Super 10 form in derbies.
- Strong corner play from Deepak S to contain the Thalaivas’ star raider.
- Late-game composure, which produced super tackles in key wins.
What Tamil Thalaivas Need
- A clear lead raider decision after the auction.
- Out-tackling the Bulls, as they did with 12 tackle points to 5 in their Season 12 win.
- Nitesh Kumar staying on the mat against Alireza Mirzaeian.
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas: Rivalry Facts
- The Bulls lead the series 13-5 after 18 meetings, with no ties.
- The Bulls once won eight meetings in a row between Seasons 5 and 8.
- Two meetings have been decided by a single point, in Seasons 5 and 10.
- Arjun Deshwal reached 1,300 PKL raid points in the Season 12 derby in Chennai.
- Alireza Mirzaeian scored a Super 10 in both Season 12 meetings.
Bengaluru Bulls 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) | First meeting: Bulls win 32-31 after a Thalaivas comeback |
| Seasons 5 to 8 | Bulls win eight meetings in a row |
| Season 10 | Bulls win 38-37 in Noida |
| September 16, 2025 | Thalaivas win 35-29 in Jaipur |
| October 5, 2025 | Bulls win 33-29 in Chennai; Arjun Deshwal reaches 1,300 raid points |
Bengaluru Bulls 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 |
|---|---|
| Alireza Mirzaeian | Super 10 in both Season 12 derbies |
| Deepak S | Bengaluru’s top tackler in Season 12 |
| Nitesh Kumar | The Thalaivas’ most productive defender |
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.
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas: Our Verdict
Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas is no longer the one-sided fixture it was in the league’s middle years. The Bulls still hold a commanding 13-5 overall lead, built largely on that eight-match winning run, but the Thalaivas have taken three of the last six meetings. With Alireza Mirzaeian leading the Bulls’ attack and the Thalaivas facing a rebuild, the next chapter of the southern derby will depend heavily on what both franchises do at the Season 13 auction.
Where to Watch Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas
The Season 13 broadcaster has not been announced. Season 12 was shown on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar. Check our PKL live streaming guide for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas head-to-head record?
After 18 meetings up to the end of Season 12, Bengaluru Bulls have 13 wins and Tamil Thalaivas have 5. There have been no ties.
Who won Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas in Season 12?
They won one match each. Tamil Thalaivas won 35-29 in Jaipur on September 16, 2025, and Bengaluru Bulls won 33-29 in Chennai on October 5, 2025.
Why is it called the southern derby?
Both teams are from neighbouring southern states, Bengaluru Bulls from Karnataka and Tamil Thalaivas from Tamil Nadu.
What is the longest winning streak in this rivalry?
Bengaluru Bulls won eight meetings in a row between Seasons 5 and 8.
Who starred in the Season 12 southern derbies?
Alireza Mirzaeian scored a Super 10 in both matches for the Bulls. Arjun Deshwal scored a Super 10 in the Thalaivas’ win and reached 1,300 career raid points in the second meeting.
What was the closest Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas match?
Two matches were decided by a single point: the Bulls won 32-31 in Season 5 and 38-37 in Season 10.
Who has more titles, Bengaluru Bulls or Tamil Thalaivas?
Bengaluru Bulls have one title, from Season 6. Tamil Thalaivas have not yet won the PKL title.
When will Bengaluru Bulls 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.
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