Pro Kabaddi League: Akash Shinde Sees RCB's IPL 2025 Title Triumph as Inspiration for Bengaluru Bulls' New Era

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Bengaluru, July 4: From the narrow lanes of Nashik to the high-voltage arenas of Pro Kabaddi, Akash Shinde has come a long way. A PKL Season 10 champion, Shinde now finds himself at the heart of a young and ambitious Bengaluru Bulls squad, and he's drawing inspiration from none other than the IPL 2025 champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Just a few weeks ago, RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy after years of heartbreak, with a squad brimming with fresh talent and a clear hunger to win. For Shinde, the similarities between RCB and the new-look Bengaluru Bulls are hard to ignore.

"The way RCB won with a young team, we will win the PKL too," he says, eyes gleaming with belief. "There is a lot of excitement. The young boys have a clear mindset-they just want to prove themselves."

It's a sentiment that hits home for Shinde. When he began his journey in kabaddi, there was no blueprint to follow. No one from his district had ever represented India or even made a mark on the national stage. "No one from Nashik had played at the national level before. I had to trust the process, keep working hard, and learn everything step by step," he recalls.

That resilience paid off in PKL Season 10, when he lifted the trophy with Puneri Paltan-having also captained the side in the absence of injured star Aslam Inamdar. But before the glory came heartbreak: a narrow loss to Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Season 9 final that left him hungry for redemption.

"We lost by just 2-3 points in Season 9. That pain taught us a lot. It helped me stay calm in tight moments, and in the next season, we became champions."

Now at Bengaluru Bulls, acquired for INR 53.10 lakh in the PKL 12 auction, Shinde stands at the cusp of a new chapter, one built on youthful energy, self-belief, and lessons from the past. Just like RCB's road to redemption was paved by fearless cricket, Shinde believes the Bulls' fearless kabaddi can lead to a similar outcome.

Behind his confidence stands coach BC Ramesh, a trusted figure in his career. "He is strict on the ground, but off it, he treats us like family," Shinde says. That balance-discipline paired with emotional support is what helps bring the best out of players like him.

Shinde also takes pride in being part of Maharashtra's rich kabaddi heritage. "We have some of the best players in India coming from Maharashtra. The competition is tough, and the skill level is very high," he asserts.

In many ways, Akash Shinde's journey mirrors that of RCB-years of struggle, moments of heartbreak, and finally, a breakthrough that changed everything. Now, with a new team and renewed purpose, he's ready to replicate that story on the kabaddi mat.