PKL 2025
Ali SamadiJaipur Pink PanthersPro Kabaddi 2025

PKL 2025: Ali Samadi’s Emotional Tribute to Late Manager; Jaipur Loses 36-37 Nail-Biter to U Mumba

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 23, 2025 08:03 am IST
PKL 2025: Ali Samadi's Emotional Tribute to Late Manager; Jaipur Loses 36-37 Nail-Biter to U Mumba

Some moments are bigger than the game. During the Pro Kabaddi 2025 match on Tuesday, October 21, Jaipur Pink Panthers’ star raider Ali Samadi made a gesture that won hearts, even though his team faced a heartbreaking loss. He stepped onto the mat against U Mumba not just to play, but to honor a fallen teammate.

Key Takeaways

  • Ali Samadi wore a pink headband with the name of late Assistant Manager Vedant Devadiga written on it.
  • The tribute happened during the PKL 2025 match against U Mumba on October 21.
  • Jaipur Pink Panthers lost the intense match by a single point, 36-37.
  • Despite the loss, the team has qualified for the playoffs.
  • Samadi, a debutant, has scored a record-breaking 114 points this season.

A Tribute That Touched Everyone

Look, it was a simple act, but it meant everything. Ali Samadi played the entire game wearing a pink headband. Written on it was the name of Vedant Devadiga, the team’s Assistant Manager who recently passed away at just 23 years old. Vedant had been with the Panthers since the 2024 season, and his loss was clearly felt deeply within the team.

The Jaipur Pink Panthers also shared a tribute post on social media, but Samadi’s on-mat gesture was a raw, personal, and powerful statement. It was a reminder that behind the intense competition, these athletes are human, and they play for more than just points.

A Heartbreakingly Close Game

But honestly, the result was a tough pill to swallow. The match against U Mumba was an absolute nail-biter, a back-and-forth battle that went right down to the final whistle. In the end, the Panthers fell short by just one point, with a final score of 36-37.

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You could feel the team was playing with extra passion, likely fueled by the desire to win for Vedant. But sometimes, even that isn’t enough. It was a brutal loss, but their fight was undeniable.

The Breakout Star of the Season

And here’s the thing about Ali Samadi. He’s not just a player with a big heart; he’s a phenomenal talent. The Panthers acquired him for ₹16.20 Lakhs in the auction, and he has been worth every penny. In his debut season, he’s been on fire.

Get this: he has already racked up 114 points in just 17 matches. Out of those, 109 are raid points, which is a new record for the most raid points by a debutant in Pro Kabaddi 2025. The guy is an absolute machine on the mat.

What This Means for the Playoffs

So, where does this leave the Jaipur Pink Panthers? Well, despite the painful loss, there’s a silver lining. The team has officially qualified for the playoffs. They currently sit in seventh place with 16 points from 17 matches played.

Now, they’ll need to regroup. A loss like this can be demoralizing, but an emotional driver like honoring Vedant’s memory could also be the very thing that fuels their championship run. Will they channel this heartbreak into victory? You’ll have to wait and see.