Two teams desperate for playoff qualification clash in Match 77 of PKL 12 as Bengaluru Bulls host Jaipur Pink Panthers. Alireza Mirzaian's consistent form faces Ali Samadi's record-breaking brilliance, whilst Deepak Sankar and Yogesh's defensive excellence meet Reza Mirbagheri's resurgence in a battle of Iranian stars and playoff credentials.

Probable Starting 7

Bengaluru Bulls

  • Right Corner – Yogesh (C)
  • Right In – Aashish Malik
  • Right Cover – Sanjay
  • Centre – Akash Shinde
  • Left Cover – Satyappa Matti
  • Left In – Alireza Mirzaian
  • Left Corner – Deepak Sankar

Jaipur Pink Panthers

  • Right Corner – Deepanshu Khatri
  • Right In – Ali Samadi
  • Right Cover – Aashish
  • Centre – Meetu
  • Left Cover – Reza Mirbagheri
  • Left In – Sahil
  • Left Corner – Aryan Kumar

Headlines

➢ Bengaluru Bulls are aiming for the playoff spot with their dependable defence

➢ Alireza is leading the Bulls' raiding unit

➢ Jaipur Pink Panthers looking up to Ali Samadi

➢ Ali showdown – Alireza vs Ali Samadi – an Iranian battle awaits

➢ Defence needs to be better for Panthers

➢ Reza is back in action with a High 5 against Delhi

➢ Aryan Kumar – Deepanshu Khatri corner combination slowly building for Panthers

Top Stories of the Match

Bengaluru Bulls Aiming for the Playoff Spot with Their Dependable Defence

Bengaluru Bulls require at least 3 wins from their remaining matches to secure a top-8 finish, provided other results support their quest for playoff qualification.

They will be cursing their luck, having lost 3 matches in tie-breakers this season – results that would have placed them in 3rd position had they secured victories in those heartbreaking encounters.

One of Bengaluru Bulls' biggest strengths this season has been their defensive unit, establishing them amongst the league's most reliable tackling teams through collective excellence.

Bengaluru Bulls defensive unit in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 129 tackle points (10.7 average, 43% SR)

It proves evident that when the defence delivers strong performances, the Bulls' chances of victory increase dramatically – demonstrating their importance to match outcomes.

Bengaluru Bulls defence in PKL 12:

  • Wins (6 matches): 12.3 average tackle points at 51% SR (145 tackles, 74 points)
  • Losses (6 matches): 9.2 average tackle points at 35% SR (155 tackles, 55 points)

Bengaluru Bulls' defence has maintained excellent form recently, securing at least 10 tackle points in each of the last four matches. Unfortunately, two of those encounters ended in tie-breaker defeats despite strong defensive showings.

Bengaluru Bulls defence in the last four games:

  • vs Tamil Thalaivas M#66: 13 tackle points at 52% SR
  • vs Puneri Paltan M#59: 10 tackle points at 37% SR
  • vs UP Yoddhas M#49: 12 tackle points at 40% SR
  • vs Gujarat Giants M#45: 14 tackle points at 67% SR

When they last faced Jaipur Pink Panthers, the defensive unit proved instrumental in securing victory – delivering 13 tackle points at 57% success rate from 23 tackles.

Bengaluru Bulls defence in M#29 in PKL 12:

  • 23 tackles, 13 tackle points at 57% SR

Deepak Sankar, who inherited big shoes to fill, has performed brilliantly throughout the season whilst maintaining 53% tackle success rate – accumulating the most tackle points for the Bulls.

Deepak Sankar in PKL 12:

  • 11 matches, 34 tackle points (3.1 average, 53% SR, 2 High 5s)

Yogesh at Right Corner has contributed significantly this season whilst captaining the side excellently to 6 wins in 9 matches, with 2 of those losses arriving in tie-breakers.

Yogesh in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 31 tackle points (2.6 average, 48% SR, 2 High 5s)

Team Stories

Bengaluru Bulls – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#66 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Won 33–29 (solid 4-point victory)
  • M#59 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 29(4)–29(6) (heartbreaking tie-breaker defeat)
  • M#49 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 36(5)–36(6) (devastating tie-breaker loss)
  • M#45 vs Gujarat Giants – Won 28–24 (important 4-point triumph)
  • M#36 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Lost 29–35 (disappointing 6-point defeat)

Bengaluru Bulls defeated Tamil Thalaivas in their last encounter, ending a two-match tie-breaker heartbreak whilst rediscovering winning momentum at a crucial juncture.

After a poor start, Bengaluru Bulls transformed their season with 4 consecutive victories before recent setbacks, demonstrating championship resilience and quality.

They currently occupy 5th place in the table, remaining firmly in contention for playoff qualification if they can assemble a winning run during the crucial final phase.

Their 3 tie-breaker defeats represent cruel luck – had they secured victories in those encounters, they would occupy 3rd position with significantly improved playoff positioning.

Yogesh and Deepak Sankar, the corner defenders, have been stepping up consistently as the Bulls' defence has improved progressively as the season developed.

Alireza Mirzaian has been leading the raiding unit throughout the campaign. Akash Shinde has returned to action and will desperately seek improved effectiveness to support Alireza in upcoming crucial matches.

Bengaluru Bulls won by 5 points in M#29 when both teams met this season, seeking to complete the double over their opponents.

Alireza-Led Raiding Unit Needs to Do Better for the Bulls

Alireza Mirzaian has been the best raider for Bengaluru Bulls this season, outperforming expectations whilst shouldering enormous responsibility for their attacking output.

He has accumulated 5 Super 10s in the last 9 matches with 51% raid success rate overall in the league – demonstrating consistent excellence throughout the campaign.

Alireza Mirzaian in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 98 raid points (8.2 average, 51% SR, 6 Super 10s)

In the match against Puneri Paltan, Alireza suffered a tackle in the final minute during a Do-or-Die raid, leading to scores ending in a tie before the Bulls lost in the tie-breaker.

This represented unfortunate circumstances, as Alireza has excelled in Do-or-Die situations throughout PKL 12 – maintaining 60% success rate in these pressure moments.

Alireza in Do-or-Die situations – PKL 12:

  • 25 raids, 15 Do-or-Die raid points at 60% SR

Alireza performs significantly better in the first and final 10-minute intervals of matches, though maintains 45%+ raid success rate across all time periods.

Alireza raiding in PKL 12 by intervals:

  • 1-10 minutes: 25 raid points at 58% SR (strong opening)
  • 11-20 minutes: 20 raid points at 50% SR (second quarter consistency)
  • 21-30 minutes: 26 raid points at 46% SR (third quarter solidity)
  • 31-40 minutes: 27 raid points at 50% SR (solid finishing)

Aashish Malik has been the main support raider since Akash Shinde struggled for form, though Akash has returned to the line-up for the last two matches.

Ganesha Hanamantagol has also provided some support, mostly from the bench, though none of the three possess raid success rates of 50% or above.

Bengaluru Bulls support raiders in PKL 12:

  • Aashish Malik: 50 raid points (5.0 average, 38% SR, 10 matches)
  • Akash Shinde: 35 raid points (4.4 average, 50% SR, 8 matches)
  • Ganesha Hanamantagol: 23 raid points (2.3 average, 37% SR, 10 matches)

This reflects in the overall raiding unit's statistics, as the Bulls possess the 2nd lowest average raid points and the 2nd lowest raid success rate in the league.

Lowest average raid points in PKL 12:

  • Gujarat Giants: 18.1 average (42% SR)
  • Bengaluru Bulls: 18.7 average (45% SR)
  • Tamil Thalaivas: 19.9 average (49% SR)

Jaipur Pink Panthers – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#67 vs Dabang Delhi – Lost 26–29 (close 3-point defeat)
  • M#63 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 36–41 (5-point setback)
  • M#57 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 37–36 (dramatic 1-point thriller)
  • M#52 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Lost 28–37 (disappointing 9-point defeat)
  • M#48 vs U Mumba – Won 38(6)–38(4) (tie-breaker victory)

Jaipur Pink Panthers suffered a close defeat against Dabang Delhi in their last match, losing by 3 points in a closely contested encounter decided in the final 30 seconds.

Nitin has been one of the league's best raiders, maintaining excellent form for the Pink Panthers with 7 Super 10s in 10 matches this season before injury absence.

However, he missed the last 2 matches due to injury, with the defensive unit delivering an excellent performance to keep the Pink Panthers competitive during his absence.

Jaipur Pink Panthers occupy 7th place, remaining firmly in contention for a playoff spot whilst seeking revenge against the Bulls for their previous 5-point defeat in M#29.

Jaipur Pink Panthers Looking Up to Ali Samadi

Ali has been an excellent support raider to Nitin this season, demonstrating he represents the next Iranian star in the league preparing to break out.

He possesses raid success rate exceeding 60% in the league throughout this season – showcasing exceptional efficiency and tactical intelligence.

Ali Samadi in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 70 raid points (5.8 average, 61% SR)

Jaipur Pink Panthers entered matches against Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi missing their main player, Nitin Kumar Dhankar, creating enormous pressure on remaining raiders.

However, they were almost single-handedly kept competitive against Pune until the very end by Ali Samadi's extraordinary individual performance.

Ali Samadi accumulated 22 total points in the match (21 raid + 1 tackle), representing the most points any Iranian has scored in a single PKL match throughout history.

Ali Samadi vs Puneri Paltan in M#63:

  • 22 raids, 21 raid points at 95% SR

He secured a point almost every raid, though unfortunately suffered a super tackle near the end, preventing him from leading the Pink Panthers to unlikely victory.

This represented the highest points scored by an Iranian in one match throughout Pro Kabaddi League history, surpassing Shadloui's previous record of 16 points.

Ali Samadi maintains healthy raid success rates across all three DIP situations, possessing success rate exceeding 70% when facing 6-7 defenders on the mat.

Ali Samadi raiding DIP-wise in PKL 12:

  • 6-7 defenders: 50 raid points at 71% SR (dominant against full lines)
  • 4-5 defenders: 13 raid points at 38% SR (struggles in transition)
  • 2-3 defenders: 7 raid points at 64% SR (strong in super tackle scenarios)

Defence Needs to Be Better for Jaipur Pink Panthers

Jaipur Pink Panthers' young defence demonstrated emerging form before enduring a horrible match against Puneri Paltan, scoring just 5 tackle points as a team.

Jaipur Pink Panthers defensive unit in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 113 tackle points (9.4 average, 41% SR)

They performed excellently against Dabang Delhi though were narrowly edged out in a close contest decided in the final 30 seconds of the match.

Jaipur Pink Panthers in PKL 12 – Last 7 matches:

  • vs Dabang Delhi M#67: 16 tackle points at 62% SR (Lost)
  • vs Puneri Paltan M#63: 5 tackle points at 20% SR (Lost)
  • vs Haryana Steelers M#57: 12 tackle points at 50% SR (Won)
  • vs Tamil Thalaivas M#52: 9 tackle points at 50% SR (Lost)
  • vs U Mumba M#48: 11 tackle points at 35% SR (Won)
  • vs Bengal Warriorz M#39: 13 tackle points at 45% SR (Won)
  • vs UP Yoddhas M#31: 12 tackle points at 52% SR (Won)

Aryan Kumar and Reza Mirbagheri have been their top performers this season, maintaining tackle success rates of at least 45% throughout the campaign.

Captain Nitin Rawal has failed to perform to expected standards, ranking outside the top 4 defenders for the Pink Panthers despite his leadership responsibilities.

A growing AK-DK corner combination continues developing with Reza providing crucial support from the covers – creating promising defensive foundation.

Jaipur Pink Panthers defenders in PKL 12:

  • Aryan Kumar: 26 tackle points (47% SR, 15 assists)
  • Reza Mirbagheri: 26 tackle points (52% SR, 21 assists)
  • Deepanshu Khatri: 24 tackle points (42% SR, 19 assists)

Two defenders secured High 5s in the match against Dabang Delhi for Jaipur Pink Panthers – marking the first time after 11 matches that a defender in Panthers' colours achieved this milestone.

Reza Mirbagheri and Deepanshu Khatri both scored High 5s, demonstrating the defensive potential finally emerging at a crucial juncture.

Jaipur defenders vs Dabang Delhi in M#67:

  • Deepanshu Khatri: 5 tackle points at 63% SR (8 tackles)
  • Reza Mirbagheri: 5 tackle points at 125% SR (4 tackles)

Reza endured a difficult start to the season before rediscovering form, enjoying an excellent run in the next 7 matches with dramatically improved statistics.

Reza Mirbagheri in PKL 12:

  • First 5 matches: 9 tackle points (1.8 average, 45% SR, 4 assists)
  • Next 7 matches: 17 tackle points (2.4 average, 56% SR, 17 assists)

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 23 | Jaipur Pink Panthers – 11 | Bengaluru Bulls – 10 | Tied – 2

The historical record remains extraordinarily balanced, with Jaipur Pink Panthers holding a narrow advantage through 11 victories compared to Bengaluru Bulls' 10 wins.

Bengaluru Bulls won by 5 points in M#29 when both teams met this season, seeking to complete the double whilst establishing psychological advantage heading into playoffs.

Jaipur Pink Panthers won both matches against Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 11, demonstrating recent dominance before this season's encounter reversed that momentum.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • M#29 PKL 12: Bengaluru Bulls won 28–23 (5-point victory)
  • M#118 PKL 11: Jaipur Pink Panthers won 35–26 (9-point dominance)
  • M#49 PKL 11: Jaipur Pink Panthers won 39–32 (7-point triumph)
  • M#93 PKL 10: Match tied 28–28
  • M#22 PKL 10: Bengaluru Bulls won 32–30 (2-point success)

Key Player Battles

Bengaluru Bulls' Raiders vs Jaipur Pink Panthers' Defenders

  • Akash Shinde 8–2 Reza Mirbagheri
  • Akash Shinde 4–0 Nitin Rawal

Jaipur Pink Panthers' Raiders vs Bengaluru Bulls' Defenders

  • Nitin Kumar 3–3 Yogesh (evenly matched)
  • Nitin Kumar 3–2 Deepak Sankar (closely matched)
  • Nitin Kumar 1–2 Satyappa Matti (closely matched)
  • Ali Samadi 0–1 Deepak Sankar

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between two teams desperately seeking playoff qualification. Bengaluru Bulls' dependable defence meets Jaipur Pink Panthers' resurgent form in a match potentially defining both teams' playoff positioning.

The key battles – Alireza's consistency versus Ali Samadi's record-breaking brilliance and Deepak Sankar's defensive excellence against Reza Mirbagheri's resurgence – will likely determine the outcome.

Expect a closely contested affair where defensive efficiency proves decisive. Bengaluru's superior defensive statistics – 12.3 average tackle points in victories – suggest they possess slight advantage if their defensive unit delivers typical performance.

However, Nitin Kumar's injury absence creates significant tactical advantage for Bengaluru Bulls, allowing them to focus defensive attention primarily on containing Ali Samadi's exceptional form.

The Iranian battle between Alireza and Ali Samadi creates mouth-watering prospect for kabaddi purists. Alireza's 8.2 average raid points faces Ali's 5.8 average, though the latter's 61% success rate compared to Alireza's 51% suggests superior efficiency.

Jaipur's defensive resurgence – Reza and Deepanshu both securing High 5s against Delhi – indicates they've rediscovered form precisely when most crucial. If this momentum continues, they possess sufficient quality to overcome Bengaluru's home advantage.

The historical record's extraordinary balance (11-10-2) suggests another closely contested encounter decided by narrow margins. Bengaluru's 3 tie-breaker defeats demonstrate their ability to compete with anyone whilst suggesting they've been unlucky not to occupy higher playoff positions.

The team executing their game plan more consistently whilst minimising errors will emerge victorious, with the Iranian stars' individual brilliance potentially proving decisive in final moments. Bengaluru require this victory desperately for playoff qualification, creating additional pressure that could prove decisive.

Match Details

  • Match: Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Match 77, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Saturday, 11th October 2025
  • Time: 7:30 PM IST
  • Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi
  • LIVE Streaming: Watch LIVE on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar. For LIVE scores and updates, visit prokabaddi.com or download the Pro Kabaddi Official App.

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