The Pro Kabaddi League has produced some of the finest defenders in the sport, with several players making a huge impact through their tackling ability and consistency. The Orange Sleeve, or Orange Armband, is awarded to the defender who finishes a PKL season with the most tackle points.
A tackle point is earned every time a defender successfully stops a raider and sends them out. The award is considered the defensive counterpart to the Green Sleeve, which recognises the season’s highest-scoring raider.
Last Five Orange Sleeve Winners
The last five seasons have featured some outstanding defensive campaigns, including three remarkable seasons from Iranian star Mohammadreza Shadloui.
| Season | Player | Team | Tackle Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 12 | Navdeep | Patna Pirates | 73 |
| Season 11 | Mohammadreza Shadloui | Haryana Steelers | 82 |
| Season 10 | Mohammadreza Shadloui | Puneri Paltan | 99 |
| Season 9 | Ankush Rathee | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 89 |
| Season 8 | Mohammadreza Shadloui | Patna Pirates | 89 |
Here is a look at the five Orange Sleeve winners from Seasons 7 to 12 and their best performances.
Season 12: Navdeep (Patna Pirates)
Navdeep became the latest recipient of the Orange Sleeve after an outstanding breakthrough campaign with Patna Pirates.
After making his PKL debut in Season 11, the young defender emerged as the league’s leading tackler a year later, collecting 73 tackle points in 21 matches.
He maintained a 50 percent tackle success rate, completed 130 tackles, averaged 3.09 successful tackles per game, and finished with eight Super Tackles and six High 5s.
Still part of the Patna Pirates squad, Navdeep has quickly established himself as one of the league’s brightest young defenders and looks set to become a long-term cornerstone of their defence.
Season 11: Mohammadreza Shadloui
Mohammadreza Shadloui won the Orange Sleeve in Season 11 while representing Haryana Steelers. He finished the campaign with 88 tackle points and played a crucial role in helping Haryana Steelers win their maiden PKL title.
Shadloui produced several High 5 performances throughout the season and delivered important tackles during the final against Patna Pirates. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure made him one of the key reasons behind Haryana’s championship success.
Season 10: Mohammadreza Shadloui
Shadloui also won the Orange Sleeve in Season 10, when he played for Puneri Paltan. He produced an exceptional campaign, scoring 99 tackle points.
That remains the second highest tackle point tally recorded by a defender in a single PKL season. Shadloui also registered 11 High 5s and helped Puneri Paltan win their first ever PKL championship.
His ability to contribute regularly in defence made him one of the most influential players in the tournament.
Season 9: Ankush Rathee
Jaipur Pink Panthers defender Ankush Rathee won the Orange Sleeve in Season 9 after collecting 89 tackle points.
His debut season was particularly impressive, with Ankush recording nine High 5s. His defensive consistency played an important role in Jaipur Pink Panthers’ successful campaign as they went on to win the Season 9 title.
The performance established Ankush as one of the league’s leading young defenders.
Season 8: Mohammadreza Shadloui
Shadloui first made a major impact in the PKL during Season 8 with Patna Pirates. He finished with 89 tackle points and immediately established himself as one of the competition’s elite defenders.
He recorded 10 High 5s during his debut season and produced three consecutive High 5s during the playoffs. His aggressive tackling and consistency made him one of the standout players of the campaign.
Season 7: Fazel Atrachali
Before Shadloui’s dominance, Fazel Atrachali claimed the Orange Sleeve in Season 7 while playing for U Mumba.
Known as the “Sultan” of defence, Atrachali collected 82 tackle points. He also recorded four Super Tackles and four High 5s, averaging 3.42 tackle points per match.
His leadership and defensive experience helped U Mumba reach the semi finals.
Which Team Is the Most Successful in PKL?
The answer to “Which team is most successful in PKL?” is Patna Pirates.
Patna have won three PKL titles, claiming championships in Seasons 3, 4 and 5. They remain the only franchise to win three consecutive titles and successfully defend their championship twice.
The franchise also has one of the strongest overall records in league history, with more than 130 match victories.
Jaipur Pink Panthers and Dabang Delhi K.C. are among the other successful franchises, with two championships each according to the supplied record.
The recent Orange Sleeve winners demonstrate how important elite defence is to championship success. From Fazel Atrachali to Ankush Rathee and Shadloui, these defenders have consistently shown that strong tackling can transform a team’s campaign.
