Karnal Kings Retain Akshit Dhull and Harsh Vedpal for KCL Season 2

Karnal Kings have retained Akshit Dhull and Harsh Vedpal for Season 2 of the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL), keeping one raider and one defender who both played regularly in the inaugural season. The retentions give the franchise a balanced core as it prepares for a larger and more competitive campaign.

Akshit Dhull: A Dependable Raiding Presence

Akshit Dhull was a regular part of the Karnal Kings attack in Season 1. Across seven matches he attempted 104 raids and converted 41 of them, scoring 54 raid points at a raid strike rate of 51.9 percent. His tally included one Super Raid, three Super 10 performances, 38 touch points, and 16 bonus points. He also contributed in defence, with eight tackle attempts that produced four tackle points at a 50 percent success rate. A raider who combines steady attacking output with occasional defensive help is useful to any squad, and retaining him keeps that option available to the coaching staff.

Harsh Vedpal: A Defender with Match-Winning Moments

Harsh Vedpal was one of the more active defenders in the league. Across seven matches he made 46 tackle attempts, converting 21 of them for 23 tackle points. His season included two Super Tackles and three High Five performances, which mark games where a defender takes a major share of the work on his own. He did not raid at all, so his entire contribution came from the defensive unit. Keeping a defender who delivered that many standout moments gives the Kings a solid base at the back.

A Balanced Core Under Ravinder Pahal

Both players will continue under head coach Ravinder Pahal, who leads Karnal Kings in Season 2. A raider and a defender who understand each other’s game give the coach a flexible foundation. The Kings also have talent that has reached the national stage, with Sunil Malik selected in India’s Asian Games 2026 squad, and Surender Gill produced one of the league’s heaviest raiding workloads in Season 1 with 139 raids.

A Tougher Season Ahead

Season 2 will be more competitive, with ten franchises after the addition of Jhajjar Jaguars and Kurukshetra Knights. Karnal will face established sides including Rohtak Royals, Bhiwani Bulls, Gurugram Gurus, Sonipat Stars, Panipat Panthers, Faridabad Fighters, and Hisar Heroes. Having two retained players in place lets the Kings head into the auction with a clear idea of what the rest of the squad needs.

What It Means for Kings Fans

For Karnal supporters, the retentions bring continuity. Familiar names in both attack and defence give fans something to look forward to as the new season approaches.

Looking Ahead

As KCL Season 2 preparations continue, fans can follow all announcements through the official KCL Blogs section. Stay tuned to the KCL website for further updates.