Two teams desperate for playoff survival clash in Match 74 of PKL 12 as Gujarat Giants host struggling UP Yoddhas. Gagan Gowda's extraordinary bonus point mastery faces Shadloui's defensive resurgence, whilst Rakesh's newfound form meets Sumit's second-half excellence in a must-win encounter for both sides.

Probable Starting 7

Gujarat Giants

  • Right Corner – Lucky Sharma
  • Right In – Vishvanth V
  • Right Cover – Nitin Panwar
  • Centre – Rakesh
  • Left Cover – Rohit
  • Left In – Ankit Dahiya
  • Left Corner – Mohammadreza Shadloui (C)

UP Yoddhas

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

Headlines

➢ Gujarat Giants have won 2 of their last 3 matches after a terrible start to the season

➢ They are in 10th place and will need to keep winning to qualify

➢ Rakesh was amazing last match, but others haven't stepped up

➢ Gujarat Giants average the lowest raid points per match in PKL 12

➢ Shadloui came to form in style with his first High 5 of PKL 12

➢ UP Yoddhas are also struggling and are in 9th place in the league

➢ Gagan Gowda is carrying the UP Yoddhas raiding unit

➢ Captain Sumit has been leading from the front, but overall defence has not been great for the Yoddhas

Top Stories of the Match

Two In-Form Players, Gagan Gowda and Shadloui, Take on Each Other

UP Yoddhas have maintained decent raiding form throughout the season, averaging more than 20 raid points per match with nearly 50% success rate – respectable statistics masking their defensive vulnerabilities.

UP Yoddhas raiding in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 251 raid points (20.9 average, 49% SR)

Gagan Gowda demonstrated prime form in the last match against Patna Pirates, scoring a Super 10 single-handedly, whilst no teammate provided adequate support. His extraordinary performance – raiding ata 125% success rate – showcased his superhuman capabilities.

Gagan Gowda vs Patna Pirates in M#68:

  • 8 raids, 10 raid points at 125% SR

Gagan Gowda has carried the raiding unit for UP Yoddhas throughout PKL 12, shouldering enormous responsibility whilst hoping established support raiders like Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh match his exceptional performances.

Most raid points for UP Yoddhas in PKL 12:

  • Gagan Gowda: 111 raid points (9.3 average, 72% SR)
  • Bhavani Rajput: 60 raid points (5.0 average, 41% SR)
  • Guman Singh: 40 raid points (4.0 average, 48% SR)

Gagan possesses an amazing raid success rate – ranking second-best in the league amongst all raiders with at least 50 raid points, demonstrating consistent excellence throughout the campaign.

Best raid SR% in PKL 12 (minimum 50 raid points):

  • Devank: 181 points at 76% SR
  • Gagan Gowda: 111 points at 72% SR
  • Ayan: 135 points at 70% SR

Gagan's defining skill has been collecting bonus points – this season he has scored the most bonus points in the entire league, showcasing tactical intelligence in avoiding contact whilst accumulating crucial points.

Most bonus points in PKL 12:

  • Gagan Gowda: 52 bonus points
  • Devank: 49 bonus points
  • Vijay Malik: 44 bonus points

Gagan has performed excellently across almost all intervals, maintaining a 65%+ raid success rate in 3 of the 4 ten-minute periods throughout PKL 12.

However, his final 10-minute performances prove truly outstanding – achieving a perfect 100% success rate, demonstrating extraordinary clutch gene when matches hang in the balance.

Gagan Gowda in PKL 12 – Interval-wise:

  • 1-10 minutes: 31 raid points at 70% SR (44 raids)
  • 11-20 minutes: 24 raid points at 67% SR (36 raids)
  • 21-30 minutes: 18 raid points at 49% SR (37 raids)
  • 31-40 minutes: 38 raid points at 100% SR (38 raids)

Gagan faces Shadloui, who has rediscovered form after struggling throughout the season, securing his first High 5 of PKL 12 against Bengal Warriorz in a performance suggesting revival.

Shadloui vs Bengal Warriorz in M#64:

  • 10 tackles, 5 tackle points at 50% SR

Gujarat Giants' defence demonstrated excellent form in that encounter, recording their joint-most tackle points in a single match this season whilst establishing defensive momentum.

Gujarat Giants defence vs Bengal Warriorz in M#64:

  • 37 tackles, 15 tackle points at 41% SR

Shadloui has endured a difficult season by his illustrious standards, struggling particularly in defence throughout the campaign despite occasional flashes of brilliance.

However, he performed excellently when last facing UP Yoddhas, accumulating 8 total points – 4 each from raiding and tackling – showcasing his all-round capabilities against this specific opponent.

Shadloui vs UP Yoddhas in M#53:

  • Raid points: 4 at 133% SR
  • Tackle points: 4 at 80% SR

Despite season-long struggles – averaging under 2 tackle points per match with a sub-40% success rate – his historical excellence against UP Yoddhas provides hope for defensive revival.

Shadloui's defence in PKL 12:

  • 11 matches, 18 tackle points (1.6 average, 36% SR)

However, his excellent record against UP Yoddhas demonstrates he reserves his best performances for this specific matchup – possessing 6 High 5s against them in 11 matches throughout his career.

He has accumulated the most tackle points and High 5s against UP Yoddhas compared to any other team in the league throughout PKL history, establishing a psychological advantage.

Shadloui vs UP Yoddhas in PKL:

  • 11 matches, 46 tackle points (4.2 average, 63% SR, 6 High 5s)

These two raiders have engaged in intense head-to-head battles throughout their careers, with Shadloui narrowly edging Gagan by a single point in their overall encounters.

Gagan Gowda vs Shadloui head-to-head (PKL overall):

  • Gagan Gowda 7–8 Shadloui

Lucky Sharma has proven an excellent addition to the line-up for Gujarat Giants, maintaining an exceptional 65% tackle success rate since entering the starting seven.

Lucky Sharma's defence in PKL 12:

  • 9 matches, 20 tackle points (2.2 average, 65% SR)

Gujarat Giants possess the third-best tackle success rate in the league this season, demonstrating defensive solidity despite their poor overall record and raiding struggles.

Best tackle SR% in PKL 12:

  • Dabang Delhi: 48% SR
  • Puneri Paltan: 46% SR
  • Gujarat Giants: 45% SR

Team Stories

Gujarat Giants – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#64 vs Bengal Warriorz – Won 47–40 (impressive 7-point victory)
  • M#60 vs U Mumba – Lost 25–40 (disappointing 15-point thrashing)
  • M#53 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 33–27 (solid 6-point triumph)
  • M#47 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 29–30 (heartbreaking 1-point defeat)
  • M#45 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 24–28 (4-point setback)

Gujarat Giants have discovered decent form recently, winning 2 of their last 3 matches after enduring a catastrophic start to the season that threatened playoff elimination.

They defeated Bengal Warriorz by 7 points in their last encounter, thanks primarily to Rakesh, who accumulated 18 raid points single-handedly whilst teammates struggled for consistency.

Their raiding unit has struggled throughout the season, averaging the lowest raid points per match and raid success rate in the league – damning statistics highlighting fundamental attacking weaknesses.

Shadloui also rediscovered form with an excellent High 5, accumulating 7 total points in the match – his first High 5 of PKL 12, suggesting potential revival at a crucial juncture.

Gujarat Giants occupy 10th place with just 3 wins this season, desperately needing to assemble a winning streak to harbour realistic playoff qualification hopes.

Can Rakesh Continue His Form to Revive Gujarat Giants' Raiding Unit?

Gujarat Giants' raiding performance has been catastrophically poor this season, struggling to make any significant impact whilst anchoring the league's basement across all attacking metrics.

They possess the lowest average raid points per match and the lowest raid success rate in PKL 12 – unprecedented struggles for any team harbouring playoff ambitions.

Lowest average raid points in PKL 12:

  • Gujarat Giants: 17.6 average (41% SR, 11 matches)
  • Bengaluru Bulls: 18.8 average (45% SR, 12 matches)
  • U Mumba: 19.8 average (46% SR, 12 matches)

However, they delivered an amazing performance in their last match against Bengal Warriorz, scoring 26 raid points – their highest tally in any match this season, suggesting potential breakthrough.

Gujarat Giants raiding vs Bengal Warriorz in M#64:

  • 43 raids, 26 raid points at 60% SR

This impressive output arrived largely thanks to Rakesh, who secured an excellent Super 10 by scoring 18 raid points single-handedly whilst demonstrating the form that once made him a consistent performer.

Rakesh vs Bengal Warriorz in M#64:

  • 25 raids, 18 raid points at 72% SR

Rakesh remains the only raider who has secured a Super 10 for Gujarat Giants this season – possessing three such performances demonstrating his importance to their attacking fortunes.

However, even his statistics prove concerning, maintaining a sub-50% raid success rate throughout the season. No raider who has accumulated more than 10 raid points for Gujarat Giants possesses a success rate exceeding 50%.

Rakesh in PKL 12:

  • 11 matches, 80 raid points (7.3 average, 48% SR, 3 Super 10s)

Support raiders have provided woefully inadequate backup, with none averaging above 5 raid points per match, whilst most maintain success rates below 50% – creating complete dependence on Rakesh's individual brilliance.

Shadloui, despite his all-rounder credentials, has been the second-best raider for the team – a damning indictment of Gujarat's attacking depth and quality.

Shadloui raiding in PKL 12:

  • 11 matches, 20 raid points (1.8 average, 42% SR)

Ankit Dahiya, recently introduced into the line-up, has added amazing value to the team through his all-round contributions, providing a rare bright spot in an otherwise struggling unit.

Ankit Dahiya's performance match-by-match in PKL 12:

  • vs Bengal Warriorz M#64: 5 raid points, 4 tackle points (9 total)
  • vs U Mumba M#60: 4 raid points, 1 tackle point (5 total)
  • vs UP Yoddhas M#53: 2 raid points, 6 tackle points (8 total)
  • vs Telugu Titans M#47: 2 raid points, 1 tackle point (3 total)

UP Yoddhas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#68 vs Patna Pirates – Lost 28–36 (disappointing 8-point defeat)
  • M#65 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 35–40 (5-point setback)
  • M#61 vs Dabang Delhi – Lost 43–26 (comprehensive 17-point thrashing)
  • M#53 vs Gujarat Giants – Lost 27–33 (6-point defeat)
  • M#49 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won 36(6)–36(5) (tie-breaker victory)

UP Yoddhas have lost back-to-back matches, finding themselves in an increasingly precarious position within the table as playoff qualification appears increasingly uncertain.

They occupy 9th position, with a defeat in this match making playoff qualification extremely difficult – creating a must-win scenario for both teams desperate for survival.

As has been the case throughout most of the season, Gagan Gowda remained their only effective player in the last match, scoring a Super 10 whilst Bhavani Rajput failed to provide adequate support.

Sumit started the season leading from the front with excellent form, but has experienced a recent decline – a concerning trend for their defensive cornerstone approaching crucial matches.

Ashu Singh has performed adequately throughout the season, though Hitesh and Mahender have been completely out of form for UP Yoddhas – creating defensive vulnerabilities that opponents consistently exploit.

UP Yoddhas' defence has failed to contribute adequately this season, with their veteran defenders desperately needing to rediscover form in upcoming matches to salvage playoff hopes.

UP Yoddhas' Defence Needs to Step Up and Support Their Captain

UP Yoddhas' defence once again disappointed in the last match against Patna Pirates, contributing directly to their 8th loss of the season, whilst exposing fundamental weaknesses beyond individual quality.

Their defence has directly affected results throughout the campaign, with clear differences in defensive performance between wins and losses demonstrating their crucial importance to match outcomes.

UP Yoddhas' defence in PKL 12:

  • Wins (4 matches): 12.8 average tackle points at 51% SR (101 tackles, 51 points)
  • Losses (8 matches): 6.9 average tackle points at 30% SR (184 tackles, 55 points)

They rank amongst the poorest defensive teams in the league, possessing the third-lowest average tackle points and tackle success rate in the entire league – catastrophic statistics for playoff contenders.

Lowest average tackle points in PKL 12:

  • Patna Pirates: 8.1 average (32% SR)
  • Bengal Warriorz: 8.2 average (29% SR)
  • UP Yoddhas: 8.8 average (37% SR)

Skipper Sumit has handled the defensive unit competently, performing well throughout most of PKL 12 whilst establishing himself as their most reliable defensive presence.

Sumit in PKL 12:

  • 12 matches, 35 tackle points (2.9 average, 56% SR, 3 High 5s)

However, concerning form decline emerges in recent matches – he has failed to accumulate significant points in his last three encounters, suggesting fatigue or tactical adjustments by opponents.

Sumit in PKL 12 – Last 3 matches:

  • vs Patna Pirates M#68: 2 tackle points at 40% SR (5 tackles)
  • vs Telugu Titans M#65: 0 tackle points at 0% SR (1 tackle)
  • vs Dabang Delhi M#61: 0 tackle points at 0% SR (4 tackles)

Sumit demonstrates significantly better performance in the second half, possessing the joint-most tackle points in the entire league during the final 20 minutes – showcasing his extraordinary endurance and clutch mentality.

Most tackle points in the 2nd half in PKL 12:

  • Sumit: 24 tackle points at 65% SR
  • Nitesh Kumar: 24 tackle points at 53% SR
  • Fazel Atrachali: 22 tackle points at 63% SR

In the reverse fixture, Sumit scored 4 tackle points, demonstrating his capabilities against Gujarat's attacking threats whilst providing hope for improved performance in this crucial rematch.

Ashu Singh at Right Cover has maintained consistent excellence throughout the season for UP Yoddhas, though Hitesh and Mahender Singh have disappointed repeatedly with poor performances.

UP Yoddhas defenders in PKL 12:

  • Ashu Singh: 27 tackle points (56% SR)
  • Hitesh: 23 tackle points (34% SR)
  • Mahender: 14 tackle points (30% SR)

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 14 | Gujarat Giants – 8 | UP Yoddhas – 4 | Tied – 2

The historical record significantly favours Gujarat Giants, having won 8 of 14 matches whilst UP Yoddhas have managed just 4 victories – establishing a clear psychological advantage for the hosts.

Since PKL 9: Matches – 7 | Gujarat Giants – 4 | UP Yoddhas – 3

They met earlier this season, with Gujarat Giants prevailing by 6 points in a match where Shadloui delivered the best individual performance with 8 total points (4 raid + 4 tackle points).

Gujarat Giants accumulated 13 tackle points in that encounter, demonstrating defensive solidity that proved decisive against UP Yoddhas' one-dimensional attacking approach.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • M#53 PKL 12: Gujarat Giants won 33–27 (6-point victory)
  • M#121 PKL 11: UP Yoddhas won 59–23 (dominant 36-point rout)
  • M#20 PKL 11: UP Yoddhas won 35–29 (6-point triumph)
  • M#125 PKL 10: Gujarat Giants won 36–29 (7-point success)
  • M#37 PKL 10: Gujarat Giants won 38–30 (8-point dominance)

Key Player Battles

Gujarat Giants' Raiders vs UP Yoddhas' Defenders

  • Rakesh 15–10 Ashu Singh
  • Rakesh 4–6 Mahender Singh (closely matched)
  • Rakesh 11–4 Sumit
  • Parteek Dahiya 7–1 Sumit
  • Parteek Dahiya 5–1 Ashu Singh

UP Yoddhas' Raiders vs Gujarat Giants' Defenders

  • Gagan Gowda 7–8 Shadloui (closely matched)
  • Gagan Gowda 4–0 Nitin Panwar
  • Bhavani Rajput 8–6 Shadloui (closely matched)
  • Guman Singh 7–6 Shadloui (closely matched)
  • Guman Singh 5–2 Lucky Sharma

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between two desperate teams fighting for playoff survival. Gujarat Giants' recent form meets UP Yoddhas' individual brilliance in a must-win match that could define both teams' seasons.

The key battles – Gagan Gowda's bonus point mastery versus Shadloui's historical dominance and Rakesh's newfound form against Sumit's second-half excellence – will likely determine the outcome.

Expect a closely contested affair where defensive efficiency proves to be the decisive factor. Gujarat's third-best tackle success rate faces Gagan's perfect 100% success rate in the final 10 minutes, creating an intriguing tactical chess match.

Shadloui's historical record – 46 tackle points at 63% SR with 6 High 5s against UP Yoddhas – provides significant psychological advantage, though his current form suggests vulnerability. Conversely, Gagan's 72% raid success rate represents Gujarat's nightmare scenario if Shadloui fails to deliver.

The historical record favouring Gujarat (8-4-2) suggests another home victory, though UP Yoddhas' superior raiding average (20.9 vs 17.6) indicates potential for an upset if their defence performs adequately.

Both teams desperately need a victory to maintain realistic playoff hopes. The team executing their game plan more consistently whilst minimising errors will emerge victorious, with individual brilliance from Gagan or Shadloui potentially proving decisive in final moments.

Match Details

  • Match: Gujarat Giants vs UP Yoddhas – Match 74, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Thursday, 9th 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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