Devank Dalal and Vijay Malik Steer Bhiwani Bulls and Rohtak Royals into KCL Final
The Kabaddi Champions League witnessed two high-intensity semi-finals as Bhiwani Bulls and Rohtak Royals emerged victorious in contrasting yet equally gripping encounters, setting up a blockbuster final between the two in-form sides of the season.
In Semi-Final 1, Devank Dalal produced a captain's knock to guide Bhiwani Bulls past league toppers Hisar Heroes 40-36 in a pulsating contest. The match opened with early exchanges between Devank and Ashu Malik, before Dalal stamped his authority with a super raid. Hisar fought back through disciplined defence led by Surjeet Narwal and timely raids from Manprit and Ankit Dahiya, even inflicting an all-out to take a narrow
lead.
However, Devank's composure in pressure situations, including his Super 10, turned the tide. Despite Hisar forcing a tense finish and briefly levelling the scores late on, Devank's decisive raids in the dying minutes sealed the win and sent the Bulls into their first KCL final.
Reflecting on the result, Devank said, "Knockout matches are about handling pressure. The team trusted me, and everyone played their role when it mattered most. "
Semi-Final 2 saw Rohtak Royals overcome Panipat Panthers 43-36, with Vijay Malik's game management and nerve under pressure proving decisive. The first half remained tightly contested, with Meetu Sharma leading the Panthers' raids while Rakesh Singh stepped up for Rohtak. A crucial super raid by Ritesh Singh and consistent defensive efforts from Sandeep Narwal, who later completed a High-5, helped the Royals take a halftime lead. The second half brought relentless pressure from Panipat, but Vijay
Malik rose to the occasion, saving Rohtak from four potential all-outs with smart raids and clock control. His late Super 10 ensured Rohtak stayed ahead despite a spirited Panthers fightback.Vijay Malik said, "In close games, patience is everything. We backed our processes, and that belief took us through. "
The match was graced by Kumar Vijay Ji, Chairman, Bihar Kabaddi Association, alongside Kuldeep Dalal Ji, Chairman, AKAH, and Chetan Joshi, General Secretary, Uttarakhand, who collectively applauded the composure and maturity shown by both teams in a high-stakes knockout.
With these victories, Bhiwani Bulls and Rohtak Royals book their places in the KCL final which will happen on 7th February, 2026 at 7:00 PM, promising a thrilling showdown between Devank Dalal's attacking flair and Rohtak's ice-cool resilience as the league edges towards a fitting climax.
