UP Yoddha and Jaipur Pink Panthers have had a very similar journey in Season 8 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) so far. Both lost their respective opening matches but bounced back to win their next to collect six points each.
The two teams will now face each other at the Sheraton Grand in Bengaluru on Monday. The only difference between the two is that UP Yoddha is placed sixth in the PKL points table with a score difference of -4, against the seventh-placed Jaipur Pink Panthers’ -5.
UP Yoddha come into the match with a 36-35 win over Patna Pirates, while the Panthers won 40-38 against Haryana Steelers in their last outing.
The two teams have clear strengths so far. UP Yoddha is ahead of Jaipur Pink Panthers in total tackle points scored this season (22 vs 16) but trails in raid points (38 vs 43).
Players to watch out for - UP Yoddha
After a quiet opening game, Pardeep Narwal struck form against former team Patna Pirates to score a super 10 in his last outing, his 12 raids points proving critical to seal the thriller.
Sumit, with a super tackle and seven tackle points, is the top defender for the team so far.
UP Yoddha will also take heart in Surender Gill’s all-round performance against Patna Pirates, his timely buzzer raid winning it for the team.
Players to watch out for - Jaipur Pink Panthers
Jaipur Pink Panthers captain Deepak Hooda’s super 10 against Haryana Steelers means he could match Pardeep Narwal raid-for-raid.
Arjun Deshwal’s 17 raid points in the game affirms that the Panthers are ahead in the raiding department. He is currently the second-highest raid points scorer this season.
Shaul Kumar, meanwhile, is the top defender for the Jaipur Pink Panthers with just four tackle points
UP Yoddha vs Jaipur Pink Panthers | Head-to-head
UP Yoddha and Jaipur Pink Panthers have played each other five times in Pro Kabaddi. UP Yoddha have won three of those matches and the Jaipur Pink Panthers have won two.
In PKL season 7, the two teams met each other twice, with UP Yoddha emerging victorious on both occasions.
