PKL Season 12 Match 44 Preview: Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas – Defending Champions Face Arjun's Army

Defending champions Haryana Steelers clash with Tamil Thalaivas in Match 44 of PKL 12, featuring a fascinating battle between two teams with contrasting philosophies. The Steelers' balanced approach meets the Thalaivas' reliance on their superstar captain Arjun Deshwal, whilst coach Manpreet Singh stands on the brink of a historic milestone.

Probable Starting 7

Haryana Steelers

• Right Corner – Rahul Sethpal
• Right In – Shivam Patare
• Right Cover – Neeraj
• Centre – Sahil Narwal
• Left Cover – Jaideep (C)
• Left In – Vinay
• Left Corner – Hardeep

Tamil Thalaivas

• Right Corner – Aashish
• Right In – Narender Kandola
• Right Cover – Ronak
• Centre – Suresh Jadhav
• Left Cover – Himanshu
• Left In – Arjun Deshwal (C)
• Left Corner – Nitesh Kumar

Headlines

➢ Battle of strategies between two good coaches – Manpreet Singh vs Sanjeev Baliyan
➢ Manpreet Singh aiming for a unique record – 100 wins as coach in PKL
➢ Raid machine Arjun Deshwal – the lone ranger
➢ Shivam Patare – trusted raider for Steelers
➢ Haryana Steelers defence standing tall – Jaideep and Rahul in form
➢ Tamil Thalaivas with a drop in defence – need to bounce back

Top Stories of the Match

Battle of Strategies Between Two Coaches – Manpreet Singh vs Sanjeev Baliyan

This encounter represents a captivating tactical duel between two of PKL's most accomplished coaches, each bringing distinct championship pedigree to the contest.

Manpreet Singh stands on the cusp of history, needing just one victory to become the first coach in PKL history to reach 100 wins. Currently at 99 wins from 172 matches (58% win rate), his achievement would cap a remarkable coaching journey.

After multiple heartbreaks, Manpreet finally secured his maiden PKL title in Season 11, creating history by becoming the first individual to win PKL titles both as a player and coach. As a player, he captained Patna Pirates to their inaugural trophy in Season 3, then transitioned to coaching in PKL 5 with immediate impact.

His coaching trajectory showcases steady excellence:

• PKL 5: Runners-up (Gujarat Giants)
• PKL 6: Runners-up (Gujarat Giants)
• PKL 8: Playoffs (Gujarat Giants)
• PKL 10: Runners-up (Haryana Steelers)
• PKL 11: Champions (Haryana Steelers)

Sanjeev Baliyan brings equally impressive credentials as a two-time PKL champion. His championship victories came with Patna Pirates (PKL 3) and Jaipur Pink Panthers (PKL 9), demonstrating his ability to adapt tactical approaches across different teams.

Under Baliyan's guidance, Jaipur Pink Panthers reached playoffs in three consecutive seasons (PKL 9-11), including their historic title triumph in PKL 9. His overall coaching record of 83 wins from 138 matches (60% win rate) with five playoff appearances underlines his tactical acumen.

Raid Machine Arjun Deshwal – The Lone Ranger

Arjun Deshwal continues to be PKL's most prolific raider since PKL 8, carrying the Thalaivas almost single-handedly this season. His achievements speak to his extraordinary consistency:

Career Achievements:

• PKL 9 Champion and MVP
• 4th all-time in PKL raid points (1,240)
• Most raid points since PKL 8 (1,132)
• Most bonus points since PKL 8 (300)

This season, Arjun has shouldered enormous responsibility, contributing 56% of Thalaivas' total raid points (66 out of 117). His individual statistics remain impressive: 11.0 average raid points at 56% strike rate with four Super 10s in six matches.

His time-wise analysis reveals tactical adaptability:

• 1-10 minutes: 25 points at 68% SR (dominant opening)
• 11-20 minutes: 12 points at 50% SR (steady)
• 21-30 minutes: 16 points at 59% SR (strong third quarter)
• 31-40 minutes: 13 points at 45% SR (struggles under pressure)

The concerning aspect is his team's over-dependence. Against Telugu Titans in their last match, Arjun managed only 7 points at 47% strike rate, directly contributing to their 14-point defeat. This highlights the Thalaivas' vulnerability when their talisman struggles.

Historically, Arjun has performed well against Haryana Steelers, averaging 10.6 raid points at a 61% strike rate across 11 meetings. In PKL 11 alone, he scored 19 points in two matches at a 56% strike rate, including a Super 10.

Shivam Patare – Trusted Raider for Steelers

The defending champions have built a more balanced raiding approach, with Shivam Patare stepping up magnificently following Naveen Kumar's injury. The Steelers average 23.3 raid points per match at a 56% strike rate, demonstrating their depth.

Shivam Patare has evolved into their primary weapon, averaging 8.9 raid points at 62% strike rate with two Super 10s in seven matches. His tactical intelligence shines through his situational analysis:

By Defenders in Play (DIP):

• 6-7 defenders: 42 points at 72% SR (excellent against full defensive lines)
• 4-5 defenders: 13 points at 42% SR (struggles in mid-range)
• 2-3 defenders: 7 points at 64% SR (effective in super tackle situations)

By Time Intervals:

• 1-10 minutes: 23 points at 77% SR (explosive starts)
• 11-20 minutes: 17 points at 59% SR (maintains momentum)
• 21-30 minutes: 9 points at 36% SR (third quarter dip)
• 31-40 minutes: 13 points at 81% SR (strong finisher)

Vinay provides excellent support with 8.2 average raid points at 53% strike rate and two Super 10s, creating a formidable partnership that reduces pressure on any single individual.

Team Stories

Haryana Steelers – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

• M#42 vs Puneri Paltan – Won 34–30
• M#38 vs Patna Pirates – Won 43–32 (dominant 11-point victory)
• M#33 vs Gujarat Giants – Won 40–37
• M#21 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 33–40
• M#16 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 37–32

The defending champions have completely transformed their season after the opening defeat to Bengal Warriorz. Winning four of their last five matches, they've climbed to 3rd position in the table, showcasing the resilience that defined their championship campaign.

Their 11-point victory over Patna Pirates marked their first double-digit win of the season, whilst the recent 4-point triumph over in-form Puneri Paltan demonstrated their ability to grind out results against quality opposition.

The successful integration of Shivam Patare and Vinay as the primary raiding partnership, combined with the defensive resurgence led by experienced campaigners Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep, has restored championship momentum.

Haryana Steelers Defence Standing Tall – Jaideep and Rahul in Form

The defensive transformation has been remarkable, evolving from early-season struggles to becoming one of PKL 12's most reliable units. They currently average 11.3 tackle points per match – the third-best in the league.

Defensive Statistics:

• 7 matches: 186 tackles, 79 tackle points at 42% SR
• In wins: 13.4 average tackle points at 50% SR
• In losses: 6.0 average tackle points at 23% SR

The turnaround is evident in their High 5 distribution. After failing to record any High 5s in the first two matches, four different defenders have achieved High 5s in the subsequent four games, indicating comprehensive improvement.

Key Defensive Performers:

• Rahul Sethpal: 21 tackle points (3.0 average, 62% SR, 1 High 5)
• Jaideep: 21 tackle points (3.0 average, 60% SR, 2 High 5s)

Their recent performance against Patna Pirates showcased their potential:

• Hardeep: 5 tackle points at 83% SR (High 5)
• Jaideep: 5 tackle points at 63% SR (High 5)
• Rahul: 4 tackle points at 80% SR

The defensive leadership of experienced campaigners has been crucial, with both Rahul and Jaideep averaging 3.0 tackle points per match this season.

Tamil Thalaivas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

• M#42 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 29–43 (heavy 14-point defeat)
• M#36 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won 35–29
• M#30 vs Bengal Warriorz – Won 46–36 (dominant 10-point victory)
• M#18 vs Gujarat Giants – Lost 28–37
• M#5 vs U Mumba – Lost 33–36

The Thalaivas have endured a frustrating season of missed opportunities, managing three wins and three defeats in their opening six matches. Their inconsistency has prevented them from building sustained momentum despite showing glimpses of their potential.

Arjun Deshwal's appointment as captain before the Bengal Warriorz match sparked a brief revival, with consecutive victories over strong opposition. However, their inability to maintain form was exposed in the comprehensive defeat to Telugu Titans.

Tamil Thalaivas with a Drop in Defence – Need to Bounce Back

Despite possessing one of the league's better defensive units on paper, the Thalaivas have struggled for consistency. They average 11.0 tackle points per match – joint 4th in the league alongside U Mumba.

However, their defensive vulnerability was brutally exposed against Telugu Titans, where they managed only 7 tackle points at 30% success rate – a performance that directly contributed to their heavy defeat.

Key Defensive Contributors:

• Nitesh Kumar: 17 tackle points (2.8 average, 49% SR, 1 High 5)
• Ronak: 13 tackle points (2.2 average, 48% SR) with league's 2nd-most assists (28)
• Himanshu: 11 tackle points (1.8 average, 50% SR)

Nitesh Kumar's form has been patchy this season. After a strong start including a High 5 against Gujarat Giants (5 points at 83% SR), he managed only 1 tackle point at 17% SR against Telugu Titans – highlighting the inconsistency plaguing the unit.

Ronak has shown improvement, with his tackle success rate rising from 33% in the first three matches to 56% in recent games. His 28 assists rank second in PKL 12, demonstrating his value beyond pure tackle points.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 13 | Haryana Steelers – 8 | Tamil Thalaivas – 2 | Tied – 3

The historical record overwhelmingly favours Haryana Steelers, who have won the last six encounters against the Thalaivas. Tamil Thalaivas' last victory came way back in PKL 8, highlighting their struggles in this fixture.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

• PKL 11 M#83: Steelers won 42–30 (12-point margin)
• PKL 11 M#59: Steelers won 36–29 (7-point margin)
• PKL 10 M#71: Steelers won 36–31 (5-point margin)
• PKL 10 M#41: Steelers won 42–29 (13-point margin)
• PKL 9 M#131: Steelers won 61–38 (23-point margin)

The psychological advantage clearly lies with the defending champions, who have consistently found ways to neutralise Arjun Deshwal and exploit the Thalaivas' over-dependence on their captain.

Key Player Battles

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiders vs Haryana Steelers' Defenders

• Arjun Deshwal 9–5 Rahul Sethpal
• Arjun Deshwal 10–1 Jaideep
• Narender Kandola 2–5 Jaideep

Haryana Steelers' Raiders vs Tamil Thalaivas' Defenders

• Shivam Patare 2–4 Nitesh Kumar
• Vinay 5–2 Nitesh Kumar

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between contrasting philosophies. The Steelers' balanced, championship-tested approach faces the Thalaivas' high-risk strategy built around Arjun Deshwal's individual brilliance.

The key battle will unfold between Arjun and the Steelers' experienced defensive duo of Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep, who have historically contained him effectively. Conversely, the Steelers' twin raiding threat of Shivam and Vinay will test the Thalaivas' inconsistent defence.

Expect a closely contested match where the Steelers' recent form and historical dominance could prove decisive against a Thalaivas side desperate to end their losing streak in this fixture.

Match Details

• Match: Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas – Match 44, PKL Season 12
  Date: Saturday, 20th September 2025
• Time: 9 PM IST
• Venue: SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur
• 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.

Follow Pro Kabaddi on Instagram, Facebook, X & YouTube for all the latest updates!