Two teams with contrasting fortunes clash in Match 61 of PKL 12 as second-placed Dabang Delhi K.C. host struggling UP Yoddhas. The league's second-best raider Ashu Malik faces the ultimate test against Gagan Gowda's clutch brilliance, whilst Sultan Fazel Atrachali's defensive excellence meets Sumit's resurgent form in a battle of championship credentials.

Probable Starting 7

Dabang Delhi K.C.

  • Right Corner – Saurabh Nandal
  • Right In – Ajinkya Pawar
  • Right Cover – Surjeet Singh
  • Centre – Ashu Malik (C)
  • Left Cover – Sandeep
  • Left In – Neeraj Narwal
  • Left Corner – Fazel Atrachali

UP Yoddhas

  • Right Corner – Hitesh
  • Right In – Bhavani Rajput
  • Right Cover – Ashu Singh
  • Centre – Shivam Choudhary
  • Left Cover – Mahender Singh
  • Left In – Gagan Gowda
  • Left Corner – Sumit (C)

Headlines

➢ Agent Ashu Malik is running the Delhi raiding unit
➢ Neeraj Narwal with support for Ashu Malik
➢ Delhi defence standing strong with Sultan Fazel at the helm
➢ Gagan Gowda leading the Yoddhas' hopes
➢ Sumit leading Yoddhas' defence

Top Stories of the Match

Agent Ashu Malik is Running the Delhi Raiding Unit

Ashu Malik's extraordinary season continues its upward trajectory, establishing him as PKL 12's second-best raider behind only the unstoppable Devank. His 121 raid points in 9 matches (13.4 average at 63% success rate) with 7 Super 10s represents consistent excellence at the highest level.

His recent performances have reached unprecedented heights – back-to-back Super 10s against U Mumba and Haryana Steelers showcasing complete mastery across all game situations.

Record-breaking performances:

  • vs U Mumba: 23 raid points at 96% SR (season's highest individual tally)
  • vs Haryana Steelers: 15 raid points at 96% SR

These displays cemented his position among the league's elite:

Best average raid points in PKL 12:

  • Devank: 156 points (17.3 average)
  • Ashu Malik: 121 points (13.4 average)
  • Ayan: 104 points (11.6 average)

His situational mastery demonstrates tactical intelligence across all scenarios:

By Defenders in Play (DIP):

  • 6-7 defenders: 77 points at 70% SR
  • 4-5 defenders: 20 points at 40% SR
  • 2-3 defenders: 25 points at 71% SR

Do-or-Die supremacy remains his defining characteristic – 20 points at 125% success rate leads the league, showcasing extraordinary clutch mentality when matches hang in the balance.

His 7 Super 10s rank joint-second in PKL 12 alongside Nitin Kumar, trailing only Devank's perfect record of 9 consecutive Super 10s.

Neeraj Narwal's evolution into reliable support has transformed Delhi's attacking dynamics. His 20 raid points in the last three matches (6.7 average at 48% SR) provides crucial secondary threat, preventing opponents from focusing exclusively on Ashu.

The partnership has created one of PKL 12's most balanced attacking units, combining individual brilliance with collective depth.

Team Stories

Dabang Delhi K.C. – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#54 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 38–37 (dramatic 1-point thriller)
  • M#50 vs U Mumba – Won 47–26 (dominant 21-point demolition)
  • M#43 vs Patna Pirates – Lost 30–33 (only defeat of season)
  • M#37 vs Telugu Titans – Won 33–29 (4-point victory)
  • M#28 vs Gujarat Giants – Won 38–28 (10-point dominance)

Dabang Delhi K.C. sit comfortably in 2nd position with 8 wins from 9 matches, maintaining their championship credentials despite the narrow scare against defending champions Haryana Steelers.

Captain Ashu Malik's consistent excellence – 7 Super 10s in 9 matches – provides the attacking foundation, whilst Neeraj Narwal's recent form offers the perfect complement.

Fazel Atrachali's defensive leadership has been equally crucial, establishing Delhi as genuine title contenders through balanced excellence across both departments.

Delhi Defence Standing Strong with Sultan Fazel at the Helm

The Iranian legend continues his remarkable renaissance, averaging 3.0 tackle points per match at 59% success rate with 3 High 5s – joint-third most in the league.

His near-perfect performance against former club U Mumba (4 tackle points at 80% SR, narrowly missing High 5) demonstrated the form that has defined his illustrious career.

Historical dominance over UP Yoddhas provides psychological advantage:

  • Overall record: 43 tackle points in 13 matches (3.3 average, 63% SR, 3 High 5s)
  • PKL 11 form: 7 tackle points (3.5 average, 78% SR)

The veteran defensive trio provides collective strength:

  • Fazel Atrachali: 27 tackle points (3.0 average, 59% SR)
  • Saurabh Nandal: 25 tackle points (2.8 average, 58% SR)
  • Surjeet Singh: 19 tackle points (2.1 average, 34% SR)

Their balanced contributions have established Delhi as one of PKL 12's most formidable defensive units, crucial for containing Gagan Gowda's brilliance.

UP Yoddhas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#53 vs Gujarat Giants – Lost 27–33 (disappointing 6-point defeat to bottom side)
  • M#49 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won 36–36 (6-5 tie-breaker victory)
  • M#46 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Won 39–22 (dominant 17-point victory)
  • M#35 vs Bengal Warriorz – Lost 37–41 (4-point defeat)
  • M#31 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Lost 29–41 (12-point thrashing)

UP Yoddhas' season epitomises frustrating inconsistency. After winning their opening two matches, four consecutive defeats sent them spiralling before recent victories over Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls suggested revival.

However, the shock defeat to last-placed Gujarat Giants exposed fundamental vulnerabilities, leaving them in 8th position desperately needing wins to cement playoff qualification.

The over-reliance on Gagan Gowda and Sumit creates vulnerability – when either struggles, the team lacks alternative sources of points.

Gagan Gowda Leading the Yoddhas' Hopes

Gagan Gowda has established himself as PKL 12's ultimate clutch performer, carrying UP Yoddhas almost single-handedly through their turbulent campaign. His 88 raid points in 9 matches (9.8 average, 71% success rate) with 4 Super 10s demonstrates consistent excellence.

However, the concerning statistic reveals the team's dependence – Gagan contributes 47% of UP Yoddhas' total raid points, creating enormous pressure on the young raider.

His bonus point mastery remains unmatched in PKL 12:

Most bonus points in PKL 12:

  • Gagan Gowda: 45
  • Devank: 43
  • Vijay Malik: 37

Situational analysis reveals his tactical preferences:

By Defenders in Play (DIP):

  • 6-7 defenders: 79 points at 83% SR (dominant against full lines)
  • 4-5 defenders: 5 points at 24% SR (struggles in transition)
  • 2-3 defenders: 4 points at 50% SR (decent in super tackle scenarios)

Time-wise brilliance showcases extraordinary clutch gene:

  • 1-10 minutes: 18 points at 56% SR (steady start)
  • 11-20 minutes: 19 points at 68% SR (building momentum)
  • 21-30 minutes: 15 points at 52% SR (third quarter consistency)
  • 31-40 minutes: 36 points at 103% SR (phenomenal finishing)

His 103% success rate in final 10 minutes represents the league's best clutch performance, demonstrating ability to deliver when matches hang in the balance.

Support raiders provide adequate but inconsistent backup:

  • Bhavani Rajput: 40 raid points (4.4 average, 40% SR, 1 Super 10)
  • Guman Singh: 28 raid points (3.5 average, 42% SR)
  • Shivam Choudhary: 24 raid points (3.0 average, 38% SR)

Yoddhas Defence Led by Sumit and Ashu Singh

The defensive unit provides solid foundation, averaging 9.8 tackle points per match at 40% success rate. More importantly, their performance correlation with results demonstrates their importance:

Defensive splits by results:

  • In wins (4 matches): 12.8 average tackle points at 51% SR
  • In losses (5 matches): 7.4 average tackle points at 32% SR

Sumit remains the defensive cornerstone, ranking second-best defender in PKL 12:

  • 33 tackle points (3.7 average, 63% SR, 3 High 5s)
  • Outstanding recent form: 80%+ success rate in last 3 matches

Ashu Singh's emergence as consistent contributor provides crucial support:

  • 23 tackle points (2.6 average, 62% SR, 1 High 5)

The corner-cover partnership has found balance, creating defensive solidity when both perform simultaneously.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 13 | Dabang Delhi K.C. – 5 | UP Yoddhas – 7

The historical record slightly favours UP Yoddhas, though recent encounters have been closely contested.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • PKL 11 M#93: Match tied 32–32
  • PKL 11 M#7: UP Yoddhas won 28–23
  • PKL 10 M#92: Dabang Delhi K.C. won 36–27
  • PKL 10 M#48: Dabang Delhi K.C. won 35–25
  • PKL 9 M#83: UP Yoddhas won 50–31 (19-point rout)

The closely contested recent matches suggest another thriller, with small margins likely proving decisive.

Key Player Battles

Dabang Delhi K.C.'s Raiders vs UP Yoddhas' Defenders

  • Ashu Malik 8–7 Sumit (closely matched)
  • Ashu Malik 7–3 Ashu Singh
  • Ashu Malik 5–0 Hitesh
  • Ajinkya Pawar 9–5 Mahender Singh

UP Yoddhas' Raiders vs Dabang Delhi K.C.'s Defenders

  • Gagan Gowda 3–3 Surjeet Singh
  • Gagan Gowda 1–4 Fazel Atrachali
  • Bhavani Rajput 3–1 Fazel Atrachali

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between contrasting philosophies. Dabang Delhi K.C.'s balanced excellence meets UP Yoddhas' reliance on individual brilliance in a match that could define both teams' seasons.

The key battles – Ashu Malik versus Sumit's defensive leadership and Gagan Gowda against Fazel Atrachali's experience – will likely determine the outcome.

Expect a closely contested affair where the team executing their game plan more consistently will emerge victorious, with Gagan Gowda's clutch ability potentially proving decisive in final moments.

Match Details

  • Match: Dabang Delhi K.C. vs UP Yoddhas – Match 61, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Friday, 3rd October 2025
  • Time: 7:30 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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