PKL Season 12 Match 105 Preview: Dabang Delhi vs Patna Pirates – Ashu Malik's Excellence Faces Ayan's Resurgent Brilliance

Two franchises pursuing divergent objectives meet in Match 105 of PKL 12 as table-topping Dabang Delhi, having secured their Qualifier 1 position, face resurgent Patna Pirates desperately seeking playoff qualification. Ashu Malik's consistent elite raiding excellence anchors Delhi's championship ambitions, whilst Ayan's extraordinary second-half tournament revival has transformed Patna from playoff outsiders into genuine contenders, establishing this encounter as a fascinating collision between championship consolidation and playoff desperation.

Probable Starting 7

Dabang Delhi

• Right Corner – Saurabh Nandal
  • Right In – Mohit
  • Right Cover – Surjeet Singh
  • Centre – Naveen
  • Left Cover – Sandeep
  • Left In – Akshit
  • Left Corner – Fazel Atrachali (C)

Patna Pirates

• Right Corner – Navdeep
  • Right In – Mandeep Kumar
  • Right Cover – Vaibhav Garje
  • Centre – Ankit Kumar
  • Left Cover – Balaji D
  • Left In – Ayan (C)
  • Left Corner – Ashish Birwal

Headlines

➢ Dabang Delhi have sealed their spot for Qualifier 1
➢ They have rested their main raiders for the last two games
➢ Akshit has been performing well as a backup raider
➢ Fazel has led the defence and had an amazing season
➢ Patna Pirates are in a crucial phase and can still qualify for the play-in
➢ They are in great form with three consecutive victories
➢ Ayan has been leading their raiding unit and has been a top raider in the league
➢ They are still not finalised on their cover defenders

Top Stories of the Match

Can Ayan Take Patna Pirates Into the Playoffs?

Patna Pirates have orchestrated one of Pro Kabaddi 12's most remarkable mid-season transformations, transitioning from playoff outsiders into genuine qualification contenders through three consecutive victories. This unprecedented resurgence represents a compelling narrative of collective redemption through individual brilliance and tactical cohesion.

Recent match performance trajectory:

• M#88 vs Bengaluru Bulls: 32–32 (Won in tie-breaker 6–5)
• M#91 vs Bengal Warriorz: 51–49 (2-point victory)
• M#99 vs Puneri Paltan: 38–27 (11-point victory)

Ayan has emerged as the driving force behind this transformation, establishing himself as professional Kabaddi's most elite contemporary raider through sustained excellence across all game situations.

Ayan's Extraordinary Season Statistics:

Ayan has achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming only the second player in PKL history to accumulate 200 raid points within a single season, demonstrating consistency transcending temporary form variations.

Comparative analysis establishing elite status:

• Devank: 271 raid points (16.9 average, 74% SR)
• Ayan: 213 raid points (13.3 average, 71% SR) – second-best in league
• Ashu Malik: 146 raid points (12.2 average, 62% SR)

Ayan's 13.3 average raid points represent an exceptional performance tier, combining quantitative excellence with qualitative consistency across all defensive scenarios.

Situational mastery across all Defenders in Play situations:

Ayan demonstrates remarkable consistency across all defensive configurations, maintaining success rates exceeding 45% across every scenario – a rarity amongst elite raiders preferring specific game circumstances.

DIP-wise performance analysis:

• 6-7 defenders: 140 raid points at 83% SR (dominant strength)
• 4-5 defenders: 40 raid points at 48% SR (best amongst qualified raiders)
• 2-3 defenders: 31 raid points at 67% SR (super tackle proficiency)

Best raid success rate in 4-5 DIP among qualified raiders (15+ raid points):

• Ayan: 40 raid points at 48% SR
• Shivam Patare: 32 raid points at 47% SR
• Ali Samadi: 26 raid points at 43% SR

His recent performance against Puneri Paltan exemplified his current form, recording 17 raid points at a 74% success rate, single-handedly orchestrating Patna's victory.

Historical record against Dabang Delhi:

Ayan's previous encounters with Dabang Delhi showcase inconsistent performance, though his exceptional form provides confidence in overcoming historical trends.

Ayan's performance versus Dabang Delhi across career:

• Matches: 4
• Total raid points: 25
• Average: 6.3 per match
• Success rate: 52%

Notably, Ayan delivered Super 10 against Delhi in PKL 11, demonstrating the capability of executing against elite defences. Additionally, his semi-final performance last season contributed significantly to Patna's victory, recording eight raid points across 14 raids at outstanding efficiency.

Ashu Malik – Elite Raiding Consistency

Ashu Malik continues establishing himself as Delhi's raiding cornerstone, maintaining consistent excellence whilst managing substantial responsibility burden within the team system.

Current season statistics:

• Total raid points: 146 across 12 matches
• Average raid points: 12.2 per match – elite tier
• Raid success rate: 62% – exceptional execution quality
• Super 10s: 8 – demonstrating consistent performance at the highest level
• Do-or-Die proficiency: 100% success rate (21 points)

Do-or-Die supremacy establishing elite clutch credentials:

Ashu Malik shares Do-or-Die perfection with Ayan, representing the league's elite clutch performers capable of delivering when matches hang in the balance.

Best raid success rate in Do-or-Die raids (10+ raid points):

• Ayan: 27 raid points at 100% SR
• Ashu Malik: 21 raid points at 100% SR
• Vijay Malik: 13 raid points at 81% SR

His previous encounter against Patna in M#43 PKL 12 resulted in Delhi's narrow defeat, with Ayan failing to replicate his usual brilliance and Ankit Kumar emerging as an unlikely Super 10 hero for Patna.

Dabang Delhi's Rested Raiders Strategy

Dabang Delhi's management has implemented strategic rest rotation for primary raiders following Qualifier 1 confirmation, establishing squad depth and recovery priorities for the upcoming knockout stages.

Support raider emergence, providing tactical flexibility:

Akshit has emerged as a valuable support option, delivering exceptional performances and demonstrating readiness to assume elevated responsibility.

Akshit's current season form:

• Total raid points: 35 across 8 matches
• Average raid points: 4.4 per match
• Raid success rate: 92% – remarkable execution efficiency
• Super 10s: 2 – demonstrating breakthrough performances

Clutch performance establishing elite ranking:

Akshit holds exceptional Do-or-Die credentials, ranking joint-best within the appropriate statistical category alongside Ayan and Ashu Malik.

Best raid success rate in 31-40 minute interval (20+ raid points):

• Akshit: 21 raid points at 124% SR (exceptional clutch mentality)
• Gagan Gowda: 38 raid points at 88% SR
• Shivam Patare: 27 raid points at 82% SR

His recent performance against Tamil Thalaivas showcased technical brilliance, recording 12 raid points at a 71% success rate whilst securing a Super 10 achievement.

Supporting raider contributions, providing depth:

Ajinkya Pawar maintains a consistent performance trajectory, recording a Super 10 against Puneri Paltan with 10 raid points at a 63% success rate, establishing a reliable attacking infrastructure.

Delhi's Elite Defensive Framework

Dabang Delhi's defensive superiority has proven fundamental throughout their championship-contending campaign, establishing themselves as the league's most efficient defensive unit.

Defensive excellence metrics:

• Average tackle points per match: 10.9 – exceptional tier
• Tackle success rate: 47% – best in entire league
• Thirteen wins recorded with 147 tackle points, 49% SR
• Four losses recorded with 39 tackle points, 42% SR

Fazel Atrachali – Legendary Defensive Anchor

Fazel Atrachali's extraordinary career achievement reaches historical significance, approaching a historic milestone whilst delivering an elite defensive performance.

Current season trajectory:

• Total tackle points PKL 12: 49 across 17 matches
• Average tackle points: 2.9 per match – elite tier
• Tackle success rate: 55% – exceptional proficiency
• High 5s: 4 – demonstrating consistency and reliability

Fazel requires only one tackle point to complete 50 tackle points in PKL 12, whilst standing just six points away from reaching 600 tackle points across his entire career – a historic achievement positioning him as the first defender to reach this milestone.

Career tackle points standings:

• Current total: 594
• Required for milestone: 6 additional points
• Matches available: current match and potentially additional fixtures

His performance against his former club, Patna Pirates, carries emotional resonance, representing an opportunity to achieve a historic milestone against a franchise where he established championship credentials.

Supporting defensive contributions:

Saurabh Nandal provides consistent support, recording 47 tackle points at a 59% success rate, establishing a reliable corner partnership. His performance demonstrates defensive solidity, enabling offensive ambitions.

Patna's Defensive Vulnerability

Patna Pirates' fundamental weakness preventing prior playoff qualification stems from defensive inadequacy despite Ayan's raiding brilliance, establishing a clear structural deficit requiring attention.

Defensive performance limitations:

• Average tackle points: 8.2 per match – lowest in league
• Tackle success rate: 33% – significant weakness
• Defensive correlation demonstrating impact: wins require superior defensive execution

Lowest average tackle points in PKL 12:

• Patna Pirates: 8.2 average, 33% SR
• Bengal Warriorz: 9.0 average, 31% SR
• UP Yoddhas: 9.1 average, 37% SR

Ankit Kumar and Navdeep – Essential Corner Defensive Duo

The corner partnership represents Patna's sole defensive strength, accumulating 61% of the team's tackle contributions whilst the remainder of the defensive unit struggles with consistency.

Defensive infrastructure analysis:

• Combined tackle points: 81 from 177 tackles (46% SR)
• Remaining defenders: 51 tackle points from 217 tackles (23% SR)
• Combined High 5s: 3 (none for other defenders)
• Assists differential: 40 versus 117

Navdeep's Recent Form Improvement:

Navdeep has demonstrated tactical improvement across recent matches, establishing emerging form consistency.

Navdeep's current season statistics:

• Total tackle points: 41 across 15 matches
• Average tackle points: 2.7 per match
• Tackle success rate: 46% – reasonable proficiency
• High 5s: 1 – demonstrating breakthrough performances

Ankit's Temporal Performance Pattern:

Ankit demonstrates notable temporal performance variation, excelling during opening match phases whilst declining effectiveness through latter intervals.

Ankit's game-interval performance analysis:

• 1-10 minutes: 12 tackle points at 57% SR (peak performance)
• 11-20 minutes: 6 tackle points at 37% SR (declining)
• 21-30 minutes: 12 tackle points at 43% SR (moderate recovery)
• 31-40 minutes: 10 tackle points at 42% SR (sustained decline)

This performance pattern suggests fatigue accumulation or tactical adjustments requiring strategic consideration regarding match intensity distribution.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall record: Matches – 24 | Dabang Delhi – 9 | Patna Pirates – 12 | Tied – 3

Patna Pirates hold a historical advantage, establishing clear dominance, particularly within recent tournament progression. Delhi initiated this fixture favourably, though Patna's contemporary superiority proves undeniable.

Patna Pirates' dominant recent streak:

Patna remain unbeaten against Delhi across the last six matches, recording four victories and two tie results, establishing a psychological momentum advantage.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

• M#43 PKL 12: Patna Pirates won 33–30 (3-point victory)
• Semi-Final 2 PKL 11: Patna Pirates won 32–28 (4-point victory)
• M#78 PKL 11: Match tied 39–39
• M#27 PKL 11: Patna Pirates won 44–30 (14-point victory)
• Eliminator 1 PKL 10: Patna Pirates won 37–35 (2-point victory)

Notably, Patna have defeated Delhi twice in the knockout stages across recent seasons, establishing a credible championship pedigree against elite opposition.

Key Player Battles

Dabang Delhi' Raiders vs Patna Pirates' Defenders

• Ashu Malik 14 – 6 Ankit (Significant raiding advantage in left-corner engagement)
• Ajinkya Pawar 6 – 3 Balaji D (Consistent raiding success against left-cover defence)
• Ajinkya Pawar 3 – 7 Ankit (Competitive balance in alternative engagement)

Patna Pirates' Raiders vs Dabang Delhi' Defenders

• Ayan 3 – 2 Saurabh Nandal (Relatively balanced corner engagement)
• Ayan 1 – 2 Fazel Atrachali (Defensive superiority advantage)

What to Expect

This encounter promises exceptional narrative tension between contrasting seasonal trajectories. Dabang Delhi's championship-contending squad, managing workload through strategic rest, collides against Patna's resurgent outfit, desperately pursuing playoff qualification through Ayan's individual brilliance.

Delhi's elite defensive framework, particularly Fazel Atrachali's historic milestone pursuit, should provide sufficient infrastructure for containing Ayan's extraordinary form. However, Patna's corner defensive duo, particularly when cohesive, has demonstrated the capability of frustrating opposing raids.

The critical determinant will centre on whether Patna's supporting raiders can provide a sufficient secondary threat, relieving Ayan's individual burden and thereby establishing a multi-faceted attacking infrastructure capable of breaching Delhi's formidable defence. Conversely, Delhi's recent offensive variability, achieved through a rotation strategy, provides uncertainty regarding attacking consistency.

Expect a closely contested affair where Ayan's individual excellence collides against Delhi's collective defensive mastery, with the outcome determined by supporting cast contributions and tactical execution consistency throughout match duration. Fazel's historic milestone opportunity adds a compelling narrative dimension to the proceedings.

Match Details

• Match: Dabang Delhi vs Patna Pirates – Match 105, PKL Season 12
• Date: Wednesday, 22nd October 2025
• Time: 9:30 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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