Puneri Paltan Squad 2026: Full Player List, Key Stars and PKL 13 Outlook
The Puneri Paltan squad was the most consistent team of PKL Season 12. Pune topped the league table with 13 wins and a +88 score difference, then came within three points of the title, losing the final 31-28 to Dabang Delhi K.C. This guide covers every player from that roster, the breakout performers, the contracts already locked in for Season 13, and what the Season 10 champions need to finish the job this time.
Last updated: October 26, 2026. The official Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the retention announcement and player auction. This page lists the complete Season 12 roster and the players already tied to the club.
Puneri Paltan Squad: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Home city | Pune, Maharashtra |
| PKL titles | 1 (Season 10, beat Haryana Steelers 28-25) |
| Other finals | Runners-up in Season 9 and Season 12 |
| Season 12 finish | 1st in the league (13 wins, 5 losses, 26 points) |
| Season 12 score difference | +88 |
| Season 12 playoffs | Lost Qualifier 1 on a tie-breaker, beat Telugu Titans 50-45 in Qualifier 2, lost the final 31-28 |
| Captain | Aslam Inamdar |
| Season 13 squad status | To be confirmed after retentions and the auction |
Puneri Paltan Squad 2026: Full Season 12 Player List
The full Puneri Paltan squad from Season 12 is listed below by role, as published in the official squad release, with Season 12 numbers where available.
Raiders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Aditya Tushar Shinde | Left raider | 159 raid points in 18 matches |
| Pankaj Mohite | Raider | 118 raid points in 19 matches |
| Mohit Goyat | Raider | 11 raid points in 6 matches |
| Abhishek Tukaram Gunge | Right raider | 15 raid points in 5 matches |
| Stuwart Singh | Right raider | Signed for INR 13 lakh |
| Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh (Iran) | All-rounder, overseas | Signed for INR 13 lakh |
| Milad Mohajer (Iran) | Raider, overseas | Squad option |
| Sachin | Raider | Squad option |
Defenders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Gaurav Khatri | Right corner | 62 tackle points in 19 matches |
| Abinesh Nadarajan | Right cover | Retained before the auction |
| Mohd. Amaan | Left corner | 9 tackle points in 9 matches; two-season FBM, INR 35 lakh |
| Dadaso Shivaji Pujari | Right corner | 9 tackle points in 8 matches |
| Vaibhav S. Rabade | Right cover | 12 tackle points in 9 matches |
| Rakesh | Left corner | 9 tackle points in 8 matches |
| Sanjay Enania | Right corner | 1 tackle point in 2 matches |
| Vishal Bhardwaj | Defender | Experienced squad option |
| Rohan Ashok Tupare | Defender | Squad option |
All-Rounders
| Player | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|
| Aslam Mustafa Inamdar (captain) | 57 raid points and 19 tackle points in 17 matches |
| Gurdeep | Signed for INR 47.10 lakh |
Key Players in the Puneri Paltan Squad
Here is a quick summary of the leading names before the detailed profiles.
| Player | Role | Season 12 Impact | Contract or Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Shinde | Left raider | 159 raid points in 18 matches | Young-player contract |
| Pankaj Mohite | Raider | 118 raid points in 19 matches | Retention decision |
| Gaurav Khatri | Right corner | 62 tackle points in 19 matches | Retention decision |
| Aslam Inamdar | All-rounder, captain | 57 raid and 19 tackle points | Retention decision |
| Mohd. Amaan | Left corner | 9 tackle points in 9 matches | Two-season FBM, INR 35 lakh |
Aditya Shinde: The Breakout Raider
Left raider Aditya Shinde had the best season of his career, scoring 159 raid points in 18 matches. He became Pune’s leading raider and one of the most improved players in the league. Fan contract trackers report that he enters the third year of a retained-young-player contract, which keeps him at the club automatically for Season 13.
Pankaj Mohite: The Reliable Finisher
Pankaj Mohite added 118 raid points in 19 matches. He is the raider Pune turn to when they need points late in a close game, and his partnership with Aditya gave the Puneri Paltan squad two genuine threats.
Gaurav Khatri: The Defensive Rock
Right corner Gaurav Khatri recorded 62 tackle points in 19 matches. He was the anchor of a defence that helped Pune top the table, and he is widely seen as one of the best right corners in the league.
Aslam Inamdar: The Captain
Aslam Inamdar, the Season 10 Most Valuable Player, led the team again. His individual numbers in Season 12 were 57 raid points and 19 tackle points in 17 matches, slightly below his best. But his game reading and leadership remain central to how Pune play.
Mohd. Amaan: Already Contracted
Pune used a two-season Final Bid Match card to keep left corner Mohd. Amaan for INR 35 lakh. That means he is already contracted for Season 13.
How the Puneri Paltan Squad Was Built for Season 12
After missing the playoffs in Season 11, Pune decided to trust their core rather than rebuild. Before the auction, they kept defenders Abinesh Nadarajan, Gaurav Khatri and Dadaso Pujari, raiders Pankaj Mohite, Mohit Goyat and Aditya Shinde, and captain Aslam Inamdar. Aslam and Mohit were both kept as Elite Retained Players.
Season 12 Auction Moves
| Player | Role | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurdeep | All-rounder | INR 47.10 lakh | |
| Mohd. Amaan | Left corner | INR 35 lakh | FBM, two seasons |
| Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh | Overseas all-rounder | INR 13 lakh | Iranian all-rounder |
| Stuwart Singh | Right raider | INR 13 lakh |
Pune did not chase the auction’s headline names. Instead, they made targeted signings and trusted continuity, an approach that clearly worked during the league stage.
Puneri Paltan Season 12 Review: So Close to a Second Title
Topping the League
The Puneri Paltan squad won 13 of its 18 league matches and finished on 26 points. Dabang Delhi K.C. matched that total, but Pune’s +88 score difference was far better than Delhi’s +38, so Pune finished first. You can compare every team’s final numbers on our PKL points table.
The Playoff Path
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Lost on a tie-breaker |
| Qualifier 2 | Telugu Titans | Won 50-45 |
| Final | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Lost 31-28 |
Pune met Delhi twice in the playoffs and lost both times by the narrowest of margins: once on a tie-breaker and once by three points in the final at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. The full story of the rivalry is covered in our Dabang Delhi vs Puneri Paltan head-to-head guide.
Puneri Paltan Squad Contract Status for PKL 13
A large part of the Puneri Paltan squad is already settled by contract. Fan contract trackers report the following situation.
| Player | Category | Season 13 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Mohd. Amaan | Two-season FBM | Contracted |
| Aditya Shinde | Retained Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Dadaso Pujari | Retained Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Abhishek Gunge | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Vaibhav Rabade | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Rakesh | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Sanjay Enania | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Aslam Inamdar | Retention decision | Strong retention candidate |
| Pankaj Mohite | Retention decision | Strong retention candidate |
| Gaurav Khatri | Retention decision | Strong retention candidate |
| Mohit Goyat | Retention decision | Uncertain after limited minutes |
With so many players reportedly staying automatically, Pune could arrive at the auction with one of the most settled rosters in the league. Our guide to retained and released players explains these contract categories in Hindi.
Strengths of the Puneri Paltan Squad
Consistency Across the League Stage
Thirteen wins and the second-best score difference in the league show a team that rarely had an off night.
A Two-Pronged Attack
Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite combined for 277 raid points, so opponents could not focus on just one raider.
Continuity
Keeping the core together has given Pune strong on-mat understanding, and many of those players are reported to stay for Season 13.
Weaknesses the Puneri Paltan Squad Must Fix
Winning the Biggest Games
Two narrow defeats to Delhi in the playoffs, including the final, show the difference between a very good team and a champion. Closing out tight matches is the main challenge.
Left Corner
Mohd. Amaan scored only nine tackle points in nine matches. A stronger left corner partner for Gaurav Khatri could make the defence even harder to break.
Captain’s Form
Aslam Inamdar’s numbers dipped slightly. Getting him back to his MVP level would add another weapon.
Puneri Paltan Squad Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Most consistent league team (13 wins) | Lost two playoff games to Delhi |
| Two-pronged raiding attack | Weak left corner output |
| Strong continuity and contracts | Captain’s individual numbers dipped |
| Elite right corner in Gaurav Khatri | Limited role for Mohit Goyat |
What Puneri Paltan Need at the PKL 13 Auction
Our PKL Season 13 auction guide covers the full process. For Pune, the priorities are clear.
Priority 1: Keep the League-Winning Core
Retaining Aslam, Pankaj and Gaurav would keep the team’s backbone in place.
Priority 2: A Left Corner Upgrade
An experienced left corner would balance the defence.
Priority 3: Big-Match Depth
A versatile all-rounder with playoff experience could make the difference in close knockout games.
Puneri Paltan Auction Priority Table
| Priority | Target | Urgency | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keep the league-winning core | High | Aslam, Pankaj and Gaurav drove the season |
| 2 | Left corner upgrade | High | Balance the defence |
| 3 | Big-match all-rounder | Medium | Close out tight knockout games |
Puneri Paltan Squad: Likely Core for Season 13
| Role | Likely Core Options |
|---|---|
| Lead raiders | Aditya Shinde, Pankaj Mohite |
| All-rounder and captain | Aslam Inamdar |
| Right corner | Gaurav Khatri |
| Left corner | Mohd. Amaan, or an auction signing |
| Covers | Vaibhav Rabade, plus retentions or signings |
This is analysis based on Season 12 form and reported contracts, not an official line-up. For the full franchise outlook, visit the main Puneri Paltan team page.
Puneri Paltan Squad History
Puneri Paltan are one of the league’s original franchises. They reached their first final in Season 9, losing 33-29 to Jaipur Pink Panthers, and won the title a year later in Season 10, beating Haryana Steelers 28-25. After missing the Season 11 playoffs, they bounced back to top the Season 12 table. Three finals in four seasons make Pune one of the most consistent sides in modern PKL.
Puneri Paltan Key Milestones
| Season | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Season 1 (2014) | Founding franchise |
| Season 9 (2022) | Runners-up, lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers 33-29 |
| Season 10 (2023-24) | Champions, beat Haryana Steelers 28-25 |
| Season 11 (2024) | Missed the playoffs |
| Season 12 (2025) | Topped the league, lost the final 31-28 |
Puneri Paltan Squad by the Numbers: Season 12 Top Performers
Looking at the leading contributors side by side shows how evenly the work was shared across the Puneri Paltan squad. No single player carried the team, which is one reason Pune were so hard to beat over a full league stage.
| Player | Role | Matches | Key Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Shinde | Left raider | 18 | 159 raid points |
| Pankaj Mohite | Raider | 19 | 118 raid points |
| Gaurav Khatri | Right corner | 19 | 62 tackle points |
| Aslam Inamdar | All-rounder | 17 | 57 raid points and 19 tackle points |
| Vaibhav Rabade | Right cover | 9 | 12 tackle points |
What the Numbers Tell Us
The two lead raiders delivered 277 raid points between them, while Gaurav Khatri carried the defensive load. Aslam Inamdar’s value goes beyond his stats, because he switches between raiding and defending depending on what the match needs. The weaker area was the left side of the defence, where no player came close to Gaurav’s numbers. That gap is the clearest target for Season 13.
Puneri Paltan Squad: Season 13 Timeline
The road to the new season follows the same steps for every team. Here is what Pune fans should watch for, based on the current reported schedule.
| Step | Expected Timing | What It Means for Pune |
|---|---|---|
| Retention list | Before the auction | Confirms whether Aslam, Pankaj and Gaurav stay |
| Player auction | Reported for late October 2026, not confirmed | Chance to fix the left corner |
| Squad announcement | After the auction | Final Season 13 roster |
| Season opener | Expected late December 2026 | Title challenge begins |
The Rivalry Factor
Any Season 13 meeting with Dabang Delhi K.C. will carry extra weight after two narrow playoff defeats. Pune also have long-running contests with Haryana Steelers, whom they beat in the Season 10 final, and with Jaipur Pink Panthers, who beat them in the Season 9 final. Those fixtures tend to define how a Pune season is remembered.
Puneri Paltan Squad Depth Chart by Position
A depth chart shows how many genuine options a team has in each role. For the Puneri Paltan squad, the picture is strong in attack and at right corner, but thinner on the left side of the defence.
| Position | First Choice | Backup Options | Depth Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left raider | Aditya Shinde | Mohit Goyat | Strong |
| Right raider | Pankaj Mohite | Abhishek Gunge, Stuwart Singh | Strong |
| All-rounder | Aslam Inamdar | Gurdeep | Good |
| Right corner | Gaurav Khatri | Dadaso Pujari, Sanjay Enania | Strong |
| Right cover | Abinesh Nadarajan | Vaibhav Rabade | Good |
| Left corner | Mohd. Amaan | Rakesh | Needs work |
The ratings are our analysis of Season 12 output and squad depth, not an official assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Puneri Paltan squad for PKL 13 been announced?
Not yet. The Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the official retention list and the player auction. This page shows the full Season 12 roster and players already tied to the club.
Who was Puneri Paltan’s top raider in Season 12?
Left raider Aditya Shinde led the team with 159 raid points in 18 matches, followed by Pankaj Mohite with 118.
Who is the Puneri Paltan captain?
Aslam Inamdar captained the team in Season 12. He was the league’s Most Valuable Player in Season 10.
Where did Puneri Paltan finish in Season 12?
They topped the league table with 13 wins and a +88 score difference, then lost the final 31-28 to Dabang Delhi K.C.
How many titles have Puneri Paltan won?
One. Puneri Paltan won the Season 10 title, beating Haryana Steelers 28-25 in the final.
Which Puneri players are already confirmed for Season 13?
Left corner Mohd. Amaan was kept with a two-season FBM deal, so he is contracted. Young players such as Aditya Shinde and Dadaso Pujari are reported to stay automatically under their existing contracts.
What does Puneri Paltan need most for Season 13?
Based on Season 12, the clearest need is a stronger left corner to partner Gaurav Khatri, plus experienced players who can help close out tight playoff matches.
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