PKL 2025
Ajit ChouhanPKL Season 12U Mumba Defeat

U Mumba’s PKL 12 Miracle: How an Injured Star & ‘Kantara 2’ Fueled a Playoff Comeback

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 25, 2025 09:02 pm IST
U Mumba's PKL 12 Miracle: How an Injured Star & 'Kantara 2' Fueled a Playoff Comeback

Just a few weeks ago, U Mumba’s Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 campaign looked like it was completely over. Their lead raider was down with a nasty ankle injury, and their playoff chances were fading fast. But then, something clicked. They just punched their ticket to the playoffs, and the story of how they did it is absolutely wild.

Key Takeaways

  • U Mumba secured a PKL 12 playoff spot by winning six of their last nine matches.
  • Lead raider Ajit Chouhan recovered from an ankle injury faster than expected to play a crucial role.
  • Young raider Sandeep Kumar stepped up in Ajit’s absence, scoring four consecutive Super 10s.
  • A team outing to watch the movie “Kantara 2” reportedly boosted morale and inspired their turnaround.
  • U Mumba will face Patna Pirates in Play-in 2 on October 25, 2025.

A Season on the Brink

Look, every team faces setbacks, but what happened to U Mumba felt different. Their campaign was hit hard when their star raider, Ajit Chouhan, went down with a serious ankle injury. For most teams, losing your main point-scorer means it’s time to start thinking about next season. The initial outlook was grim, and it looked like their playoff dreams were dead in the water.

The team was struggling. The momentum was gone. How do you possibly bounce back from that?

The Unlikely Hero and a Movie Night

Here’s the thing. While Ajit was recovering, a young raider named Sandeep Kumar stepped onto the mat and completely changed the narrative. He didn’t just fill in; he dominated. Sandeep delivered four consecutive Super 10s, giving the team the firepower it desperately needed. He kept their hopes alive when everything seemed lost.

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But honestly, the turnaround wasn’t just about what happened on the mat. The team took a break and went to see the movie “Kantara 2.” Sources say the film’s themes of faith and endurance really resonated with the players. It was a mental reset, a moment of unity that seemed to supercharge their morale and belief.

The Return That Sealed the Deal

Thanks to the incredible work of U Mumba’s medical and support staff, Ajit Chouhan’s recovery was shockingly fast. He avoided surgery and made an earlier-than-expected return. And what a return it was. In the critical match against Jaipur Pink Panthers on October 22, 2025, Ajit put on a masterclass, scoring a massive 15-point performance.

That game was a nail-biter. U Mumba scraped by with a 37-36 victory, a win that virtually locked in their playoff spot. Even a narrow 35-32 loss to UP Yoddhas the next day couldn’t stop them. They had done the impossible.

What’s Next? The Playoff Battle

So, the comeback is complete, but the job isn’t finished. U Mumba now heads to the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi for the playoffs. Their first challenge is a huge one: they’re set to face the Patna Pirates in Play-in 2 on October 25, 2025. This is where the real test begins.

After a season of unbelievable highs and lows, they have all the momentum. The grand finale is on October 31, 2025, and U Mumba is now a real contender. Can they ride this incredible wave of resilience all the way to the trophy? What do you think?