U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan Head-to-Head: Maharashtra Derby Record, Stats and Results
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan is the Maharashtra derby, one of the most even and emotional rivalries in the Pro Kabaddi League. Both franchises have won the title, both have reached multiple finals, and after 26 meetings only one win separates them. Season 12 tilted the balance, with Puneri Paltan winning both matches. This guide covers the full head-to-head record, every Season 12 result, the players who decide the derby and what to expect in Season 13.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan Head-to-Head Record
| Record | Figure |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 26 |
| Puneri Paltan wins | 12 |
| U Mumba wins | 11 |
| Ties | 3 |
| Season 12 meetings | Puneri Paltan won both (40-22 and 37-27) |
| Since Season 9 (8 matches) | Puneri Paltan 5, U Mumba 2, tie 1 |
| Rivalry name | The Maharashtra derby |
Before Season 12, U Mumba led the series 11-10. Two convincing Pune wins turned that into a 12-11 lead for Puneri Paltan, making this one of the closest long-running rivalries in the league.
Why U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan Matters
Maharashtra is one of the heartlands of Indian kabaddi, and it is the only state with two PKL franchises. When U Mumba and Puneri Paltan meet, it is about local pride as much as league points. In Season 12, the league noted that 32 players in the competition came from Maharashtra, the second-most of any state.
The rivalry also has strong leadership stories. Puneri captain Aslam Inamdar led his team to the Season 10 title and became the first Maharashtrian captain to win PKL. U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar is often described as the league’s most successful captain, having led Jaipur Pink Panthers to the Season 9 title.
| Detail | U Mumba | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| City | Mumbai | Pune |
| PKL titles | 1 (Season 2) | 1 (Season 10) |
| Finals played | 3 | 3 |
| Season 12 finish | 6th, lost in Play-in 2 | 1st, runners-up |
| Season 12 captain | Sunil Kumar | Aslam Inamdar |
| Season 12 head coach | Anil Chaprana | Ajay Thakur |
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan in Season 12
Match 40: Puneri Paltan 40-22 U Mumba
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 18, 2025 |
| Venue | Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, Jaipur |
| Result | Puneri Paltan won by 18 points |
Going into the first derby of Season 12, both teams were near the top of the table. U Mumba were third with four wins from six matches, and Puneri Paltan were second with five wins from seven. The preview pointed to the battle between U Mumba’s Ajit Chouhan and Pune’s Gaurav Khatri as the key contest. In the end, Pune’s defence dominated, and an 18-point win was one of the most one-sided derbies in years.
Match 72: Puneri Paltan 37-27 U Mumba
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 8, 2025 |
| Venue | SDAT Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai |
| Result | Puneri Paltan won by 10 points |
| Top performer | Aditya Shinde, 14 points |
The second meeting was closer for long spells. Ajit Chouhan kept U Mumba in touch with a run of successful raids after returning from injury. But Aditya Shinde’s Super 10, which took him past 100 points for the season, and a late All Out sealed another Pune win. Aslam Inamdar and Pankaj Mohite combined to force the first All Out, while Gurdeep and Abinesh Nadarajan made key tackles.
| Season 12 Meeting | Winner | Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 40 (Jaipur) | Puneri Paltan | 40-22 | 18 |
| Match 72 (Chennai) | Puneri Paltan | 37-27 | 10 |
| Combined | Puneri Paltan 2-0 | 77-49 | 28 |
Key Players in U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan
Puneri Paltan
| Player | Role | Season 12 Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Aditya Shinde | Left raider | 159 raid points; 14 points in Match 72 |
| Pankaj Mohite | Raider | 118 raid points |
| Gaurav Khatri | Right corner | 62 tackle points; key matchup against Ajit Chouhan |
| Aslam Inamdar | All-rounder, captain | Led the team to the final |
U Mumba
| Player | Role | Season 12 Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Kumar | Right raider | 123 raid points |
| Ajit Chouhan | Raider | 118 raid points; strong record against Pune in Season 11 |
| Sunil Kumar | Defender, captain | 52 tackle points |
| Rinku | Right corner | 42 tackle points |
Full rosters are in our Puneri Paltan squad and U Mumba squad guides.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: Key Battles
Ajit Chouhan vs Gaurav Khatri
This was named the decisive matchup before Season 12’s first derby. Ajit is one of the league’s most exciting young raiders, and Gaurav was described as the best defender in the league at that stage of the season. Whoever wins this duel usually gives their team control of the derby.
Aditya Shinde vs Sunil Kumar
Aditya was Pune’s go-to raider all season, while Sunil Kumar leads U Mumba’s defence. In Match 72, Aditya came out on top with 14 points.
The Captains
Aslam Inamdar and Sunil Kumar are both title-winning captains. Their decisions on when to raid, when to defend and when to take time-outs shape derby matches more than any single raid.
| Battle | Why It Matters | Season 12 Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Ajit Chouhan vs Gaurav Khatri | U Mumba’s attack against Pune’s best defender | Puneri Paltan |
| Aditya Shinde vs Sunil Kumar | Pune’s top raider against U Mumba’s captain | Puneri Paltan |
| Aslam Inamdar vs Sunil Kumar | Leadership and game management | Puneri Paltan (2-0) |
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: History of the Maharashtra Derby
The two franchises have been part of the league since Season 1 in 2014. U Mumba dominated the early years, reaching the first three finals and winning the Season 2 title. Puneri Paltan took longer to reach the top, losing the Season 9 final before winning Season 10 and reaching the Season 12 final.
| Period | Stronger Team | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons 1 to 8 | U Mumba (slight edge) | U Mumba led the series heading into the modern era |
| Seasons 9 to 12 | Puneri Paltan | 5 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie in 8 meetings |
| Season 12 | Puneri Paltan | Won both derbies by a combined 28 points |
A Rivalry Built on Close Matches
Three ties in 26 matches show how close many derbies have been. Before Season 12, the series was almost perfectly balanced, which is why Pune’s two big wins felt so significant.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: Playing Styles
Puneri Paltan
Pune play a structured, defence-first game. In Season 12 they had the second-best score difference in the league at +88 and conceded few points in key matches. Their two lead raiders, Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite, share the scoring load, so opponents cannot focus on just one threat.
U Mumba
U Mumba rely on an experienced defensive core led by Sunil Kumar, with Sandeep Kumar and Ajit Chouhan providing the attacking threat. When Ajit is fit and in form, U Mumba can match any team. When he is missing, the attack can become predictable.
| Style Factor | U Mumba | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| Season 12 score difference | +8 | +88 |
| Main strength | Experienced defenders | Defence and two-pronged attack |
| Main risk | Dependence on Ajit Chouhan’s fitness | Closing out the biggest games |
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan in Season 13
Both squads will change at the Season 13 auction, but some players are already settled. Pune kept left corner Mohd. Amaan with a two-season Final Bid Match deal, and fan contract trackers report that several young Pune players, including Aditya Shinde, stay automatically. U Mumba’s biggest question is whether they can secure Ajit Chouhan on a new young-player contract. Our PKL auction hub explains how these decisions work.
| Season 13 Factor | U Mumba | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| Contract certainty | Key decisions on Ajit Chouhan and Parvesh Bhainswal | Strong, many players reported to stay |
| Momentum | Two derby defeats in Season 12 | Two derby wins and a final |
| Likely priority | Keep the young raider, add an all-rounder | Left corner upgrade |
Prediction
On Season 12 form, Puneri Paltan start Season 13 as favourites in the derby. But history says this rivalry rarely stays one-sided for long. With the series separated by a single win, U Mumba will see Season 13 as the chance to level it again.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: Record by Era
| Stage | Matches | U Mumba | Puneri Paltan | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before Season 9 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Seasons 9 to 12 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Total | 26 | 11 | 12 | 3 |
The split shows clearly how the rivalry has changed. U Mumba built their lead in the league’s early years, while Pune have been the stronger side in the modern era.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: 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 | U Mumba | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 6th | 1st |
| Wins-losses | 10-8 | 13-5 |
| Score difference | +8 | +88 |
| League points | 20 | 26 |
| Leading raider | Sandeep Kumar (123) | Aditya Shinde (159) |
| Key defender | Sunil Kumar (52) | Gaurav Khatri (62) |
The numbers show why Pune were favourites in both derbies. They finished five places higher, with 80 more points of score difference across the season. Yet U Mumba were third in the table when the teams first met, a reminder that form during the season matters as much as final positions.
How Each Team Can Win the Next U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan Match
What U Mumba Need
- A fit and firing Ajit Chouhan, who has shown he can trouble Pune’s defence.
- Early tackle points from Sunil Kumar and Rinku to stop Aditya Shinde building momentum.
- Avoiding early All Outs, which cost them heavily in Season 12’s 40-22 defeat.
What Puneri Paltan Need
- Gaurav Khatri winning his duel against U Mumba’s lead raider.
- Shared scoring between Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite so the attack stays unpredictable.
- Aslam Inamdar’s calm game management in tight finishes.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: Rivalry Facts
- The series stands at 12-11 to Pune after 26 meetings, with three ties.
- Pune’s 40-22 win in Season 12 was decided by 18 points.
- Both teams have won one title and played in three finals.
- Sunil Kumar and Aslam Inamdar are both title-winning captains.
- Maharashtra had 32 players in Season 12, the second-most of any state.
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan Rivalry Timeline
These moments shaped the rivalry from its first meeting to the end of Season 12.
| When | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Both teams play in PKL Season 1 |
| Season 2 (2015) | U Mumba win their only title |
| Season 10 (2023-24) | Puneri Paltan win their first title under Aslam Inamdar |
| September 18, 2025 | Puneri win 40-22 in Jaipur |
| October 8, 2025 | Puneri win 37-27 in Chennai and take a 12-11 series lead |
U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan: 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 |
|---|---|
| Aditya Shinde | Pune’s top raider and a derby match-winner in Season 12 |
| Gaurav Khatri | Reliable tackle points against U Mumba’s raiders |
| Sandeep Kumar | U Mumba’s most productive raider |
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.
Where to Watch U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan
The Season 13 broadcaster has not been confirmed. In Season 12, matches were shown on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar. Our PKL live streaming guide will be updated when the new partners are announced. Derby fixtures are also among the first to sell out, so check our PKL tickets guide when sales open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan head-to-head record?
After 26 meetings up to the end of Season 12, Puneri Paltan have 12 wins, U Mumba have 11 and three matches were tied.
Who won U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan in Season 12?
Puneri Paltan won both Season 12 meetings, 40-22 in Jaipur on September 18, 2025, and 37-27 in Chennai on October 8, 2025.
Why is it called the Maharashtra derby?
Both teams are from Maharashtra, U Mumba from Mumbai and Puneri Paltan from Pune. Maharashtra is the only state with two PKL franchises.
Who has won more titles, U Mumba or Puneri Paltan?
Both have one title. U Mumba won Season 2 and Puneri Paltan won Season 10. Each has played in three finals.
Who scored the most in the latest U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan match?
Aditya Shinde scored 14 points for Puneri Paltan in their 37-27 win in Match 72 of Season 12.
Who are the captains in this rivalry?
In Season 12, Sunil Kumar captained U Mumba and Aslam Inamdar captained Puneri Paltan. Both are title-winning captains.
Who leads the U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan series since Season 9?
Puneri Paltan lead the modern era, with five wins, two defeats and one tie in eight meetings from Season 9 to Season 12.
When will U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan 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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