Bengaluru Bulls face Tamil Thalaivas in Match 66 of PKL 12 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai. Both teams carry identical 5-6 records but arrive in contrasting form – the Bulls nursing wounds from consecutive tie-breaker defeats whilst the Thalaivas ride the momentum of back-to-back victories.

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

Tamil Thalaivas

  • Right Corner – Arulnathababu
  • Right In – Arjun Deshwal (C)
  • Right Cover – Ronak
  • Centre – Rohit Beniwal
  • Left Cover – Ashish
  • Left In – Yogesh Yadav
  • Left Corner – Nitesh Kumar

Headlines

➢ Two teams with identical records are taking on each other – both have 5 wins and 6 losses in 11 games

➢ Bengaluru Bulls are coming off some tough luck as they lost their second consecutive match in a tie-breaker

➢ They were leading Puneri Paltan till the last minute, but gave away the lead, and ended up losing

➢ They will still take pride in their turnaround of form after the start to the season

➢ Alireza has been leading the raiding unit, and the corner defenders Yogesh and Deepak Sankar have been doing a good job

➢ Tamil Thalaivas are in good form as they picked up their second straight win in the last match

➢ Arjun Deshwal put in a fantastic performance, scoring 22 raid points on his own and was the main reason for the win

➢ Nitesh Kumar has been in outstanding form at left corner, and now has the most tackle points in the league

Top Stories of the Match

Can Arjun Deshwal Continue His Magical Form?

Arjun Deshwal produced a masterclass in the last match against Haryana Steelers, single-handedly dismantling their defence with a sensational 22-raid-point performance that guided Tamil Thalaivas to a comprehensive victory. This exceptional display ranks as the fourth-highest raid points scored by any raider in a single match this season.

The star raider has been in sublime form throughout PKL 12, maintaining an average exceeding 10 raid points per match. His statistics place him amongst the elite – fifth-best average raid points and third-most total raid points (118) in the entire league this season, alongside an impressive 54% strike rate and seven Super 10s in 11 matches.

Tamil Thalaivas' over-reliance on their captain is starkly evident when examining win-loss splits. In victories, Arjun averages a staggering 15.4 raid points at 63% strike rate from 77 total points. Conversely, in defeats, these numbers plummet dramatically to just 6.8 average raid points at 44% strike rate from 41 total points – highlighting how the team's fortunes rise and fall with his performances.

A particularly encouraging aspect from the Haryana Steelers match was Arjun's excellence across all Defenders In Play (DIP) situations. Prior to that encounter, he'd struggled significantly in 4-5 DIP (17 points at 32% strike rate) and 2-3 DIP situations (14 points at 37% strike rate). However, against the Steelers, he demonstrated marked improvement, scoring 5 points at 71% in 4-5 DIP and 5 points at 83% in 2-3 DIP – suggesting he's found solutions to his mid-range defensive challenges.

Against Bengaluru Bulls specifically, Arjun boasts an outstanding record. In the reverse fixture earlier this season, he registered a Super 10 with 13 raid points from 22 raids at 59% strike rate. His overall statistics against the Bulls are equally impressive: 120 raid points in 11 matches at 10.9 average with 58% strike rate and seven Super 10s.

However, the Thalaivas' critical weakness remains painfully apparent – the absence of consistent support raiders. Tamil Thalaivas possess the second-lowest average raid points (18.6) and second-lowest raid strike rate (45%) in PKL 12, placing enormous pressure on Arjun to deliver match-winning performances repeatedly.

Bengaluru Bulls with a Strong Defensive Show

Despite the heartbreak of consecutive tie-breaker losses, Bengaluru Bulls' defensive unit has emerged as a genuine strength this season, showing remarkable improvement as matches have progressed. The corner defenders, Yogesh and Deepak Sankar, have formed a formidable partnership that's been crucial to the Bulls' resurgence.

The Bulls' defence has maintained impressive consistency in recent matches, recording 10+ tackle points in each of their last three games: 14 tackle points at 67% strike rate vs Gujarat Giants, 12 tackle points at 40% vs UP Yoddhas, and 10 tackle points at 37% vs Puneri Paltan.

The contrast between their defensive performances in victories versus defeats reveals their importance to the team's success. In wins, the Bulls average 12.2 tackle points at 51% strike rate from 61 total points. In losses, these figures drop to 9.2 average tackle points at 35% strike rate from 55 total points.

However, their previous encounter with Tamil Thalaivas exposed defensive vulnerabilities that they'll be keen to address. In Match 36, the Bulls managed just 5 tackle points from 19 tackles at 26% strike rate – a performance that proved decisive in their 6-point defeat.

Bengaluru Bulls excel particularly when defending with 4-5 players on the mat, joint-second best tackle strike rate (57%) in such situations across PKL 12, trailing only Tamil Thalaivas (63%) and level with UP Yoddhas. This proficiency could prove crucial against Arjun's raiding threat.

The defensive unit's Achilles heel lies in the opening phase. The Bulls possess the second-lowest tackle strike rate (30%) in the 1-10 minute interval in PKL 12, ahead of only Bengal Warriorz (22%). Addressing this slow start will be essential against an in-form Arjun Deshwal.

Deepak Sankar has been the standout defensive performer, admirably filling the considerable void left by Ankush Rathee. The left corner has accumulated 30 tackle points at 3.0 average with 54% strike rate in 10 matches, including two High 5s – the most tackle points for the Bulls this season.

Captain Yogesh complements Sankar perfectly from the right corner, contributing 29 tackle points at 2.6 average with 48% strike rate and two High 5s in 11 matches. His leadership has been exemplary, securing 5 wins in 8 matches as captain, with 2 of those losses coming via tie-breakers.

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

Alireza Mirzaian has exceeded expectations this season, emerging as Bengaluru Bulls' primary raiding weapon and delivering consistently under pressure. The Iranian raider has scored 89 raid points at 8.1 average with 50% strike rate, including six Super 10s in 11 matches – with five of those coming in his last eight appearances.

What makes Alireza particularly valuable is his excellence in Do or Die situations. Throughout PKL 12, he's scored 15 raid points from 24 DOD raids at 63% strike rate – demonstrating his ability to deliver when the team needs him most. The cruel irony of the last match against Puneri Paltan, where he was tackled in a DOD raid in the dying moments, leading to a tie and subsequent tie-breaker defeat, shouldn't overshadow his overall DOD proficiency.

Alireza's raid effectiveness varies by interval, though he maintains respectable strike rates throughout. He's most potent in the opening (53% in 1-10 mins, 21 points) and closing stages (55% in 31-40 mins, 27 points), whilst maintaining above-45% efficiency in all intervals: 49% in 11-20 mins (18 points) and 45% in 21-30 mins (23 points).

The critical concern for Bengaluru Bulls remains the supporting cast's inability to consistently complement Alireza. None of the three primary support raiders have achieved 50% strike rate this season:

  • Aashish Malik: 49 raid points (5.4 average, 41% SR in 9 matches)
  • Akash Shinde: 31 raid points (4.4 average, 46% SR in 7 matches)
  • Ganesha Hanamantagol: 22 raid points (2.4 average, 40% SR in 9 matches)

This lack of raiding depth reflects in the team's overall statistics – Bengaluru Bulls possess the third-lowest average raid points (19.1) and third-lowest raid strike rate (46%) in PKL 12, placing them only marginally ahead of Tamil Thalaivas and Gujarat Giants.

Against Tamil Thalaivas' formidable defensive unit led by Nitesh Kumar – currently the league's leading tackle points scorer – the Bulls will need their support raiders to step up and ease the burden on Alireza.

Nitesh Kumar Showing He Is One of the Best Defenders in the League

Nitesh Kumar has been a revelation this season, establishing himself as arguably the most dominant defender in PKL 12. In the last match against Haryana Steelers, he came agonisingly close to a fourth consecutive High 5, falling just one tackle point short with 4 points from 7 tackles at 57% strike rate.

The left corner defender now leads all defenders in PKL 12 with 42 tackle points in 11 matches at 58% strike rate and four High 5s. His superiority is evident in the tackle points leaderboard: Gaurav Khatri (38 points, 61% strike rate in 12 matches) and Jaideep (37 points, 63% strike rate in 11 matches) trail him.

Nitesh's recent form has been nothing short of exceptional. After a solid start where he accumulated 19 tackle points from 40 tackles at 48% strike rate with one High 5 in his first seven matches, he's elevated his game dramatically. In his next four matches, he's scored 23 tackle points from 32 tackles at 72% strike rate with three High 5s – nearly doubling his average from 2.7 to 5.8 tackle points per match.

His consistency across Defenders In Play situations demonstrates tactical versatility and reliability. Nitesh maintains tackle strike rates exceeding 50% in all three DIP categories: 21 tackle points at 54% in 6-7 DIP, 17 tackle points at 65% in 4-5 DIP, and 4 tackle points at 67% in 2-3 DIP.

Nitesh is the primary architect of Tamil Thalaivas' defensive excellence – they rank third in both average tackle points (11.4) and tackle strike rate (45%) in PKL 12, trailing only Puneri Paltan (11.8 average, 46% SR) and U Mumba (11.5 average, 44% SR).

The Thalaivas' defensive prowess is particularly evident in specific DIP situations. They possess the best tackle strike rate when defending with 4-5 players (63%, 38 tackle points) and joint-best with 6-7 defenders (43%, 77 tackle points, level with Dabang Delhi).

Tamil Thalaivas' defensive performance shows marked variance between victories and defeats. In wins, they average 13.8 tackle points at 51% strike rate from 69 total points. In losses, these numbers decline to 9.3 average tackle points at 40% strike rate from 56 total points.

Complementing Nitesh's brilliance is Ronak, whose assist game leads the entire league. The right cover has recorded 49 assists in PKL 12 – the highest in the competition, ahead of Sandeep (41) and Abinesh Nadarajan (40) – showcasing Tamil Thalaivas' coordinated defensive approach.

Team Stories

Bengaluru Bulls – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#59 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 29 (4)–29 (6) (tie-breaker)
  • M#49 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 36 (5)–36 (6) (tie-breaker)
  • M#45 vs Gujarat Giants – Won 28–24
  • M#36 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Lost 29–35
  • M#34 vs Telugu Titans – Won 34–32

Bengaluru Bulls will consider themselves exceptionally unlucky, having lost consecutive matches via tie-breaker despite holding advantages. Against Puneri Paltan, they led until the final minute when Alireza's unsuccessful Do or Die raid allowed the Paltan to equalise and eventually triumph in the shoot-out.

Following a disastrous start to the season, the Bulls engineered an impressive turnaround with four consecutive victories before the two overtime heartbreaks. This resurgence has lifted them to 7th position in the table, firmly in playoff contention if they can assemble another winning streak.

The transformation has been built on improved defensive solidity from corner defenders Yogesh and Deepak Sankar, whilst Alireza Mirzaian has shouldered the raiding responsibilities admirably. The return of Akash Shinde to the starting line-up offers hope for greater raiding balance in upcoming matches.

Bengaluru Bulls' Defence – From Weakness to Strength

The evolution of Bengaluru Bulls' defensive unit represents their season's most significant positive development. After early struggles, the corner defenders have established consistency that's kept them competitive in every match.

Current defensive statistics:

  • Deepak Sankar: 30 tackle points (3.0 average, 54% SR, 2 High 5s, 14 assists)
  • Yogesh: 29 tackle points (2.6 average, 48% SR, 2 High 5s, 14 assists)
  • Sanjay: 14 tackle points (1.2 average, 40% SR, 25 assists)
  • Satyappa Matti: 12 tackle points (1.3 average, 36% SR, 40 assists)

The assistance numbers reveal impressive teamwork and coordination, with Satyappa Matti's 40 assists particularly noteworthy for a cover defender. This collaborative approach has maximised the effectiveness of the corner defenders.

However, the opening interval remains problematic. With the second-lowest tackle strike rate (30%) in minutes 1-10, the Bulls consistently concede early advantages that require chasing throughout matches. Against Arjun Deshwal's explosive starts, this slow beginning could prove catastrophic.

Tamil Thalaivas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#62 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 45–33
  • M#58 vs U Mumba – Lost 24–42
  • M#52 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 37–28
  • M#46 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 22–39
  • M#44 vs Haryana Steelers – Lost 36–38

Tamil Thalaivas have discovered winning momentum at the perfect time, securing back-to-back victories with the comprehensive 12-point demolition of defending champions Haryana Steelers their most impressive performance of the season.

Arjun Deshwal's 22-raid-point masterclass against the Steelers demonstrated why he's amongst the league's elite raiders, whilst Nitesh Kumar narrowly missed a fourth consecutive High 5, falling one tackle point short with 4 points from 7 tackles.

Occupying 8th position with 5 wins in 11 matches – identical to their opponents Bengaluru Bulls – the Thalaivas are perfectly positioned for a playoff push. Their challenge lies in finding consistent raiding support for Arjun, having experimented with multiple options without establishing a reliable secondary threat.

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiding – The Arjun Deshwal Dependency

The over-reliance on Arjun Deshwal has become Tamil Thalaivas' defining characteristic and greatest vulnerability. Whilst his individual brilliance has delivered victories, the absence of consistent support leaves them dangerously exposed when he faces concentrated defensive attention.

Current raiding statistics:

  • Arjun Deshwal: 118 raid points (10.7 average, 54% SR, 7 Super 10s)
  • Narender Kandola: 19 raid points (3.2 average, 41% SR in 6 matches)
  • Rohit Beniwal: 16 raid points (2.3 average, 52% SR in 7 matches)

The gulf between Arjun and his supporting cast mirrors Bengaluru Bulls' situation, though neither team has successfully addressed this imbalance. When Arjun delivers, the Thalaivas win convincingly; when he struggles or faces effective defensive strategies, they have no Plan B.

Against Bengaluru Bulls' improving defensive unit – particularly their proficiency in 4-5 DIP situations where they match the Thalaivas at 57% strike rate – this dependency could prove decisive. If Yogesh and Deepak Sankar can contain Arjun, Tamil Thalaivas' raiding structure may collapse.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 17 | Bengaluru Bulls – 12 | Tamil Thalaivas – 5

Bengaluru Bulls maintain a dominant historical record, having won 12 of 17 encounters. Between PKL 5 and PKL 8, they assembled an imposing eight-match winning streak against the Thalaivas.

However, recent form suggests a more competitive rivalry. Since PKL 9, the record stands at 4-3 in the Bulls' favour, with Tamil Thalaivas winning three of the last five meetings, including the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • PKL 12 M#36: Thalaivas won 35–29
  • PKL 11 M#127: Thalaivas won 42–32
  • PKL 11 M#34: Bulls won 36–32
  • PKL 10 M#82: Thalaivas won 45–28
  • PKL 10 M#50: Bulls won 38–37

In the reverse fixture (M#36), Tamil Thalaivas secured a hard-fought 6-point victory where defence proved decisive. Arjun Deshwal registered a Super 10 with 13 raid points, matched by Alireza's Super 10 of 10 points for the Bulls. However, the Thalaivas' defence dominated with 12 tackle points compared to the Bulls' paltry 5 – ultimately determining the outcome.

Key Player Battles

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiders vs Bengaluru Bulls' Defenders

  • Arjun Deshwal 4–5 Yogesh

Bengaluru Bulls' Raiders vs Tamil Thalaivas' Defenders

  • Akash Shinde 0–2 Nitesh Kumar
  • Alireza 2–2 Nitesh Kumar

What to Expect

This encounter presents a fascinating mirror match – two teams with identical records but contrasting momentum and remarkably similar structural weaknesses. Both sides are overly dependent on star performers (Arjun Deshwal and Alireza Mirzaian for raiding; Nitesh Kumar and Yogesh-Deepak Sankar for defence) whilst lacking reliable secondary options.

Tamil Thalaivas arrive as slight favourites given their current winning streak and Arjun's exceptional form. His 22-raid-point explosion against Haryana Steelers, coupled with breakthrough performances in problematic DIP situations, suggests he's playing at peak efficiency.

However, Bengaluru Bulls possess the defensive capabilities to contain even elite raiders, particularly their proficiency in 4-5 DIP situations (57% tackle SR) that matches the Thalaivas. If Yogesh and Deepak Sankar can neutralise Arjun whilst Alireza exploits Tamil Thalaivas' average defence, the Bulls could revenge their earlier defeat.

The pivotal battles will unfold between Arjun and the Bulls' corners, and between Alireza and Nitesh Kumar. Whichever star performer dominates their head-to-head matchup will likely determine the victor. The supporting casts – woefully inadequate for both teams – may prove decisive through their failures rather than contributions.

Recent history slightly favours Tamil Thalaivas (3-2 in last 5), but Bengaluru Bulls' desperate desire to end their tie-breaker heartbreak and historical dominance (12-5 overall) shouldn't be underestimated.

Expect a tightly contested affair where individual brilliance and crucial moments decide the outcome, with both teams aware that consistency across all seven positions remains their primary obstacle to sustained success.

Match Details

  • Match: Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas – Match 66, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Sunday, 5th October 2025
  • Time: 9:00 PM IST
  • Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai
  • 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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