The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 continues with an intriguing clash as Haryana Steelers take on Bengaluru Bulls in Match 21. The Steelers are riding high after two consecutive victories, both achieved through remarkable second-half comebacks, whilst the Bulls look to build momentum following their breakthrough first victory of the season against Patna Pirates.

Probable Starting 7

Haryana Steelers

  • Right Corner – Rahul Sethpal
  • Right In – Shivam Patare
  • Right Cover – Neeraj
  • Centre – Naveen Kumar
  • Left Cover – Jaideep (C)
  • Left In – Vinay
  • Left Corner – Rahul Ahri

Bengaluru Bulls

  • Right Corner – Yogesh
  • Right In – Aashish Malik
  • Right Cover – Sanjay
  • Centre – Jitender Yadav
  • Left Cover – Satyappa Matti
  • Left In – Alireza Mirzaian
  • Left Corner – Deepak Sankar

Headlines

➢ Naveen Express orchestrates second-half comebacks for Steelers

➢ Corner defenders finally find form – both Rahuls secure High 5s

➢ Bulls taste first victory after strategic lineup changes pay dividends

➢ Alireza Mirzaian leads Bulls' raiding revival with back-to-back Super 10s

➢ Strategic formation changes work wonders for Bengaluru Bulls

Top Stories of the Match

Naveen Express Plays Crucial Part in Two Consecutive Wins for Steelers

At first glance, Naveen Kumar's PKL 12 statistics might suggest a below-par start with no Super 10s in three matches, averaging just 5.7 points at a 45% success rate. However, the Naveen Express has been instrumental in the Steelers' remarkable turnaround, orchestrating two consecutive comeback victories that showcase his big-match temperament.

The common thread in both recent victories has been Haryana Steelers' ability to overturn half-time deficits through scintillating second-half performances. Against U.P. Yoddhas, they trailed 12-17 at the interval before storming back to win 37-32, whilst their encounter with U Mumba saw them recover from a 20-23 half-time deficit to secure victory in a dramatic tiebreaker.

Naveen's transformation between halves has been nothing short of spectacular. In the first halves of their last two matches, he managed just 8 raids yielding 2 points at a modest 25% success rate. However, his second-half exploits tell a different story – 25 raids producing 13 points at an impressive 52% strike rate, accounting for approximately 87% of his total raid points across these encounters.

His pedigree in pressure situations remains undisputed. The PKL 8 champion boasts the fourth-most Super 10s in league history with 66, trailing only Pardeep Narwal (88), Maninder Singh (79), and Pawan Sehrawat (70). Additionally, his 281 bonus points rank fourth all-time, highlighting his tactical acumen in accumulating points through different methods.

Against Bengaluru Bulls specifically, Naveen's record is formidable – 120 points in 10 matches at an exceptional 12-point average with 59% success rate, including 8 Super 10s. This outstanding head-to-head record provides a significant psychological advantage heading into Match 21.

The support cast has admirably shouldered responsibility, with both Shivam Patare (68% strike rate) and Vinay (63% strike rate) delivering outstanding performances. This collective effort has propelled Haryana Steelers to possess the second-best raiding average in PKL 12 with 25.7 points per match.

Bengaluru Bulls' Lineup Changes Work as They Get First Victory of Season

Bengaluru Bulls' early PKL 12 struggles prompted decisive action from the management. After three consecutive defeats, including disappointing performances from captain Ankush and primary raider Akash Shinde, the Bulls implemented strategic changes that yielded immediate dividends.

The turning point came with bold selection decisions – dropping underperforming seniors in favour of a youth-driven approach. The tactical shift to a two-raider, five-defender formation proved masterful, with all five defenders contributing at least 2 tackle points in their victory over Patna Pirates.

Alireza Mirzaian has emerged as the Bulls' primary weapon, securing his second Super 10 of the season against the Pirates with 10 points from 18 raids at 56% efficiency. Only three raiders have achieved more Super 10s this season, underlining his consistent excellence.

The Iranian's adaptability shines through situational analysis. Despite a sluggish start in opening exchanges (29% success rate in minutes 1-10), he maintains outstanding efficiency across other intervals – 71% in minutes 11-20, 62% in minutes 21-30, and 53% in the crucial final phase. His prowess in 4-5 defender situations is particularly noteworthy, ranking joint-third league-wide with 8 points.

Aashish Malik has provided invaluable support, nearly securing his own Super 10 against Pirates whilst maintaining a consistent 7-point average throughout the season. This dual-threat approach has transformed the Bulls' attacking dynamics.

Team Stories

Haryana Steelers – PKL 12 So Far

M#16 vs U.P. Yoddhas: Won 37–32

M#12 vs U Mumba: Won 36(7)–36(6) [Tiebreaker]

M#6 vs Bengal Warriorz: Lost 44–54

The Steelers' resurrection following their opening defeat demonstrates remarkable character. Their ability to stage second-half comebacks has become their trademark, with tactical adjustments and Naveen's leadership proving decisive in pressure moments.

Corners Join the Party for the Steelers' Defence After Slow Start

Haryana Steelers' defensive unit endured a torrid start, failing to reach double-digit tackle points in their opening two encounters. The experienced duo of Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal struggled to find rhythm, accumulating just 5 and 9 tackle points respectively in their first two outings.

However, the U.P. Yoddhas match marked a dramatic turnaround. Both corner defenders – Rahul Sethpal and Rahul Ahri – secured High 5s, contributing 5 and 6 tackle points respectively whilst maintaining impressive success rates of 71% and 60%.

Rahul Sethpal's credentials speak volumes about his quality. Since PKL 10, he ranks joint-third in tackle points (155) and second in High 5s (12), whilst boasting the best tackle success rate (67%) among defenders with 50+ tackle points. His super tackle expertise is unparalleled, leading all defenders with 22 super tackles since PKL 10.

Bengaluru Bulls – PKL 12 So Far

M#17 vs Patna Pirates: Won 38–30

M#15 vs U Mumba: Lost 28–48

M#9 vs Dabang Delhi K.C.: Lost 34–41

M#2 vs Puneri Paltan: Lost 32(4)–32(6) [Tiebreaker]

The Bulls' journey epitomises perseverance. After three agonising defeats, including a heartbreaking tiebreaker loss to Puneri Paltan, their strategic overhaul yielded the desired breakthrough against Pirates.

Alireza Leads Raiding Unit for the Bulls

The decision to entrust Alireza with primary raiding responsibilities has proven inspired. His consistency throughout the season – averaging 7.3 points across four matches at 57% efficiency – contrasts sharply with Akash Shinde's dramatic decline from 75% success rate in the opener to just 11% against Dabang Delhi K.C.

The formation change to accommodate two raiders has maximised both Alireza and Aashish Malik's impact, creating a balanced attacking threat that opponents struggle to contain.

Head-to-Head in PKL Overall:

Matches – 12 | Haryana Steelers – 6 | Bengaluru Bulls – 6

Recent encounters favour the Steelers, who have claimed four victories in six meetings since PKL 9, including both PKL 11 encounters by margins of 6 and 11 points respectively.

What to Expect

This encounter promises a fascinating tactical battle between contrasting philosophies. Haryana Steelers' second-half resilience, anchored by Naveen's clutch performances and the rejuvenated corner defence, faces Bengaluru Bulls' transformed approach centred around Alireza's consistency and strategic formation changes.

The psychological advantage lies with the Steelers, given their recent head-to-head dominance and current winning streak. However,the Bulls' newfound confidence following their breakthrough victory, combined with tactical clarity, could prove decisive. The team that maintains composure during crucial phases will likely determine this contest's outcome.

Key Player Battles

Haryana Steelers Raiders vs Bengaluru Bulls Defenders

Vinay 3 – 1 Yogesh

Bengaluru Bulls Raiders vs Haryana Steelers Defenders

Akash Shinde 8 – 7 Jaideep

Akash Shinde 4 – 3 Rahul Sethpal

Match Details

  • Match: Haryana Steelers vs Bengaluru Bulls
  • Tournament: Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 – Match 21
  • Date: Monday, September 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 PM IST
  • Venue: Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag
  • 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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