Features
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 continues with a thrilling clash as Dabang Delhi K.C. take on Jaipur Pink Panthers in Match 20. Dabang Delhi K.C. are riding high after consecutive victories, including a dramatic golden raid win against Puneri Paltan, whilst the Panthers look to bounce back from their defeat to Telugu Titans.
Probable Starting 7
Dabang Delhi K.C.
Jaipur Pink Panthers
Headlines
➢ Agent Ashu on a mission for Dabang Delhi K.C.
➢ Nitin Kumar takes charge of Jaipur's raiding
➢ Sultan Fazel Atrachali takes command of Delhi defence
➢ Jaipur defence needs to find its feet
➢ Ali Choubtarash: New ace for Panthers
Top Stories of the Match
Agent Ashu Malik on a Mission for Dabang Delhi K.C.
Ashu Malik has been one of the most consistent raiders since PKL 10, scoring 250+ raid points in consecutive seasons. The PKL 8 champion had the second-most raid points and joint-most Super 10s (18) in PKL 11, trailing only Dhaakad Devank in total points with 262.
Since PKL 8, Ashu Malik has established himself as one of the league's premier raiders, accumulating the third-most raid points (755) at an average of 8.1 points per match with a 55% strike rate. His consistency and big-match temperament have made him a cornerstone of Dabang Delhi K.C.'s attacking unit.
He has started PKL 12 in exceptional form, registering consecutive Super 10s in his first two matches. Against Bengaluru Bulls, he scored 15 points at a 65% strike rate, followed by 10 points against Puneri Paltan. Though early in the season, Ashu already leads PKL 12 in do-or-die raid points with 9 points at an impressive 129% success rate.
His record against Jaipur Pink Panthers is particularly encouraging, having scored 62 points in 8 matches at an average of 7.7 points per game, including 21 points in two PKL 11 encounters.
Nitin Kumar Takes Charge of Jaipur's Raiding
Nitin Kumar was the unsung hero playing second fiddle to Maninder Singh during his stint with Bengal Warriorz, yet he nearly matched Maninder's output across two seasons. In PKL 10 and 11 combined, Nitin accumulated 287 raid points in 34 matches at an impressive 8.4 average with 14 Super 10s.
His PKL 10 campaign was particularly stellar with 169 points in 20 matches, whilst PKL 11 saw him score 118 points despite an injury-affected season. Now given the opportunity to lead Jaipur's raiding unit, Nitin has embraced the responsibility with aplomb.
He announced his arrival as Jaipur's primary raider with a Super 10 against Patna Pirates, completing 18 successful raids out of 20 attempts. Though the Panthers couldn't secure victory in his second match despite another Super 10 against Telugu Titans, Nitin's 26 total points in two matches at a 68% strike rate demonstrate his quality.
His tactical awareness shines in pressure situations - he performs exceptionally in the final 10 minutes with a 68% strike rate during the 31-40 minute interval. Against Dabang Delhi K.C., his record is formidable with 37 points in 3 matches at a 66% strike rate, including 2 Super 10s.
Team Stories
Dabang Delhi K.C. – PKL 12 So Far
M#9 vs Bengaluru Bulls: Won 41–34
M#14 vs Puneri Paltan: Won 28(5)–28(5) [Golden Raid]
Dabang Delhi K.C. enjoyed a perfect start with a commanding 7-point victory over Bengaluru Bulls before navigating through a nail-biting encounter against Puneri Paltan. The match against Paltan went to a tiebreaker after both teams were locked at 28-28, and following five tied raids in the tiebreaker, Ashu Malik held his nerve in the golden raid to secure a dramatic victory.
Sultan Fazel Atrachali Takes Command of Delhi Defence
Fazel Atrachali stands as the most celebrated defender in PKL history with two championship titles (PKL 2 with U Mumba, PKL 4 with Patna Pirates) and three runner-up finishes. He remains the only defender to cross 500 tackle points, currently leading all defenders with 553 career tackles.
Dabang Delhi K.C.'s defensive trio of Fazel Atrachali (553 points), Surjeet Singh (446 points), and Saurabh Nandal (287 points) represents one of the most experienced defensive units in the league. Fazel's 33 High 5s place him second all-time, just behind his teammate Surjeet Singh's 34.
The early signs in PKL 12 have been promising for Dabang Delhi K.C.'s defence, averaging 11.5 tackle points per match with a 45% success rate. Fazel has been in superb form with 8 tackle points in two matches at a 73% strike rate, including a High 5 against Puneri Paltan.
Jaipur Pink Panthers – PKL 12 So Far
M#10 vs Patna Pirates: Won 39–36
M#13 vs Telugu Titans: Lost 32–37
The Panthers showed character in their opener against former finalists Patna Pirates but couldn't maintain that momentum against Telugu Titans. While Nitin Kumar delivered in both matches with consecutive Super 10s, and Ali Choubtarash provided valuable support, the defensive unit struggled to match their raiders' intensity.
Jaipur Defence Needs to Find Its Feet
The return of Nitin Rawal as captain was meant to solidify Jaipur's defence, given his outstanding PKL 11 campaign, where he scored 74 tackle points at a 58% strike rate with 29 assists. He topped several defensive categories last season, including do-or-die situations and 4-5 defender scenarios.
However, his PKL 12 debut was disappointing, with just 1 tackle point from 5 attempts against Patna Pirates. He showed marked improvement in the second match with 3 tackle points at a 75% success rate, including a crucial super tackle.
Both Nitin Rawal and Reza Mirbagheri boast excellent records against Dabang Delhi K.C. - Rawal has 21 tackle points in 8 matches at a 75% strike rate, whilst Reza has managed 8 points in 4 encounters at a 67% success rate.
Ali Choubtarash: New Ace for Panthers
The Iranian newcomer Ali Samadi has quickly established himself as a reliable support raider for the Panthers. His PKL debut against Patna Pirates was impressive, contributing 8 points from 15 raids at a 53% strike rate, showcasing the pace and skill that helped secure victory.
Though he managed 4 points from 9 raids in the second match, Ali's potential as Nitin Kumar's deputy is evident. His emergence provides Jaipur with much-needed raiding depth and could prove crucial in their campaign.
Head-to-Head in PKL Overall:
Matches – 24 | Dabang Delhi K.C. – 9 | Jaipur Pink Panthers – 12 | Tied – 3
Recent form favours Dabang Delhi K.C., having won both encounters in PKL 11 by margins of 2 and 14 points respectively.
What to Expect
This encounter promises a fascinating tactical battle between two contrasting approaches. Dabang Delhi K.C.'s experienced defensive fortress, marshalled by the legendary Fazel Atrachali, will test Jaipur's rejuvenated raiding attack led by the in-form Nitin Kumar. Conversely, Agent Ashu's consistent brilliance will challenge a Panthers defence seeking to rediscover their PKL 11 form.
Dabang Delhi K.C.'s perfect start gives them a psychological advantage, but Jaipur's ability to perform against top opposition was evident in their victory over Patna Pirates. The team that executes its game plan more effectively under pressure could well determine this contest's outcome.
Key Player Battles
Dabang Delhi K.C. Raiders vs Jaipur Pink Panthers Defenders
Ashu Malik 6 – 4 Nitin Rawal
Ashu Malik 4 – 3 Reza Mirbagheri
Ashu Malik 2 – 0 Ronak Singh
Jaipur Pink Panthers Raiders vs Dabang Delhi K.C. Defenders
Nitin Kumar 4 – 2 Fazel Atrachali
Nitin Kumar 1 – 2 Surjeet Singh
Nitin Kumar 2 – 2 Saurabh Nandal
Match Details
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