PKL 2025
Ajay ThakurPro Kabaddi LeaguePuneri Paltan

Coach Reveals Why Star, 22, Missed PKL Final; ‘Player’s Life Matters More’

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 4 weeks ago | Nov 01, 2025 03:02 pm IST
Coach Reveals Why Star, 22, Missed PKL Final; 'Player's Life Matters More'

Puneri Paltan’s dream of lifting the PKL 2025 trophy ended in a nail-biting 28-31 defeat to Dabang Delhi KC on October 31, 2025. But after the match, the biggest revelation wasn’t about a missed raid or a failed tackle. It was about the player who wasn’t even on the mat – 22-year-old star Mohit Goyat.

Key Takeaways

  • Star all-rounder Mohit Goyat missed the PKL 2025 Final due to a serious injury.
  • Coach Ajay Thakur revealed the decision was made to protect Goyat from a potentially career-ending risk.
  • Thakur emotionally stated, “A player’s life matters more than the kabaddi season.”
  • Puneri Paltan lost the closely contested final to Dabang Delhi KC by a score of 31-28.
  • This was Ajay Thakur’s first season as the full-time head coach for Puneri Paltan.

The Heartbreaking Choice

Why was one of the team’s most promising talents missing from the biggest game of the year? At the post-match press conference, a visibly emotional head coach Ajay Thakur finally gave the answer. And it was a powerful one. Goyat, he explained, was simply not fit to play.

“A player’s life matters more than the kabaddi season,” Thakur stated, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. He revealed that putting Goyat on the mat could have risked the young player never playing kabaddi again. For a 22-year-old, that’s a devastating prospect. The decision was clear: protect the player, not the season.

How The Final Unfolded

Despite Goyat’s absence, Puneri Paltan fought tooth and nail. They pushed the formidable Dabang Delhi KC to the very end, with the match hanging in the balance until the final moments. Ultimately, Delhi’s experience prevailed, and they clinched their second PKL championship title with a 31-28 victory.

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Look, reaching the final was a massive achievement for Pune, especially considering Goyat had a limited role all season. He played in only six matches, scoring just 13 points. Still, his presence in the final could have been a difference-maker.

A Coach’s Defining Moment

For Ajay Thakur, this was his inaugural season as the full-time head coach. Leading his team to a runner-up finish is a huge success. But honestly, his decision to prioritize Mohit Goyat’s future over immediate glory will likely be his most remembered move from this season.

It’s a decision that sends a strong message across the league about player welfare. It shows that some things are bigger than a single trophy. So, what do you think? Did Coach Thakur make the right call in what might be the toughest decision of his career?