PKL Season 12 Match 86 Preview: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Puneri Paltan – Can Ali Samadi Repeat His Record-Breaking Heroics?

Two teams with contrasting fortunes collide in Match 86 of PKL 12 as struggling Jaipur Pink Panthers host table-toppers Puneri Paltan. The Iranian sensation Ali Samadi aims to recreate his record-breaking brilliance against the league's most formidable defensive unit, whilst Nitin Kumar's return from injury provides hope for the Panthers' playoff aspirations against Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite's attacking prowess.

Probable Starting 7

Jaipur Pink Panthers

• Right Corner – Deepanshu Khatri
• Right In – Ali Choubtarash
• Right Cover – Aashish
• Centre – Nitin Dhankar
• Left Cover – Reza Mirbagheri (C)
• Left In – Vinay
• Left Corner – Aryan Kumar

Puneri Paltan

• Right Corner – Gaurav Khatri
• Right In – Aditya Shinde
• Right Cover – Abinesh Nadarajan
• Centre – Pankaj Mohite
• Left Cover – Gurdeep
• Left In – Aslam Inamdar (C)
• Left Corner – Vishal Bhardwaj

Headlines

➢ Puneri Paltan is coming off a thrilling win over Dabang Delhi
➢ Paltan top the table and have already qualified for the playoffs
➢ Strong defence has been the main weapon for Puneri Paltan
➢ Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj – dangerous corners
➢ Nitin's injury has affected the Jaipur Pink Panthers' form
➢ Ali Samadi is trying to lead the raiding unit with responsibility
➢ The defence unit of the Jaipur Pink Panthers has not been in great form

Top Stories of the Match

Can Ali Samadi Repeat His Performance Against the Mighty Puneri Defence?

When these two sides last met, Ali Samadi produced the finest performance by an Iranian raider in PKL history. His extraordinary 21 raid points at a 95% success rate nearly single-handedly delivered victory for the Panthers before a late super tackle denied them.

Ali Samadi vs Puneri Paltan in M#63:

• Raids: 22
• Raid Points: 21
• Raid Success Rate: 95%

His remarkable display eclipsed Shadloui's previous Iranian record of 16 points in a single match, establishing Ali as the emerging star amongst Iranian raiders in PKL.

Ali Samadi in PKL 12:

• 13 matches: 78 raid points (6.0 average, 60% SR, 2 Super 10s)

His consistent excellence throughout the season demonstrates tactical intelligence across all game situations:

Ali Samadi Raiding DIP-Wise in PKL 12:

• 6-7 defenders: 57 points at 70% SR (dominant against full lines)
• 4-5 defenders: 14 points at 38% SR
• 2-3 defenders: 7 points at 64% SR (excellent in super tackle situations)

The crucial factor remains Nitin Kumar Dhankar's fitness. The Panthers' talisman missed matches against Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi due to injury, and whilst he returned against Bengaluru Bulls, he managed zero raid points from six raids – clearly not at his best.

Before injury, Nitin was operating at elite level with 7 Super 10s in 10 matches:

Nitin Dhankar in PKL 12:

• 11 matches: 109 raid points (9.9 average, 57% SR, 7 Super 10s)

The partnership between Nitin and Ali Samadi will need to be at their absolute best against Puneri Paltan's formidable defensive unit – the league's best with most tackle points, highest average tackle points, and joint-second best tackle success rate.

Best Average Tackle Points in PKL 12:

• Puneri Paltan: 11.7 average (46% SR)
• Bengaluru Bulls: 11.4 average (46% SR)
• U Mumba: 11.2 average (43% SR)

Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj – Dangerous Corners

The cornerstone of Puneri Paltan's defensive excellence remains their corner duo, both operating with exceptional tackle success rates throughout the season, ably supported by Gurdeep's consistent contributions.

Puneri Paltan Defenders in PKL 12:

• Gaurav Khatri: 43 tackle points (2.9 average, 57% SR, 3 High 5s)
• Vishal Bhardwaj: 34 tackle points (2.3 average, 59% SR, 2 High 5s)
• Gurdeep: 37 tackle points (2.5 average, 46% SR, 3 High 5s)

Vishal Bhardwaj's consistency across all Defenders in Play situations makes him particularly dangerous, maintaining a tackle success rate above 50% regardless of game situation:

Vishal Bhardwaj DIP-Wise in PKL 12:

• 6-7 defenders: 18 points at 55% SR
• 4-5 defenders: 12 points at 55% SR
• 2-3 defenders: 4 points at 200% SR (exceptional in super tackles)

Gaurav Khatri's performance correlation with Puneri Paltan's results demonstrates his crucial importance. In their last match, he delivered 4 tackle points to help secure the tie-breaker victory over Dabang Delhi.

Gaurav Khatri Result-Wise in PKL 12:

Wins vs Losses:

• Matches: 12 vs 3
• Tackles: 65 vs 10
• Tackle Points: 39 vs 4
• Average Tackle Points: 3.3 vs 1.3
• Tackle Success Rate: 60% vs 40%
• High 5s: 3 vs 0

When they last faced the Jaipur Pink Panthers, Ali Samadi's brilliance restricted them to just 9 tackle points at a 33% success rate. They will be determined to perform better this time.

Puneri Paltan Defence in M#63 vs JPP:

• Tackles: 27
• Tackle Points: 9
• Tackle Success Rate: 33%

Team Stories

Jaipur Pink Panthers – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

• M#77 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 26–47 (21-point thrashing)
• M#67 vs Dabang Delhi – Lost 26–29 (3-point tie-breaker defeat)
• M#63 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 36–41 (5-point disappointment)
• M#57 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 37–36 (thrilling 1-point escape)
• M#52 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Lost 28–37 (9-point defeat)

Jaipur Pink Panthers have endured a torrid run, losing three consecutive matches to slide into 9th position – currently outside the playoff qualification spots. The situation has become critical with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

Nitin Kumar Dhankar's injury has devastated their attacking potency. Despite returning against Bengaluru Bulls, he was clearly hampered, unable to register a single raid point. Before injury, his extraordinary form with 7 Super 10s in 10 matches provided the attacking foundation.

Ali Samadi has shouldered enormous responsibility, particularly evident in his record-breaking 21-point performance against these same opponents. However, relying on one raider against the league's best defence creates enormous pressure.

The defensive unit's struggles compound their difficulties, with none of the main defenders consistently stepping up to provide the platform for their raiders to flourish.

Defence Needs to Be Better for Jaipur Pink Panthers

The defensive struggles represent Jaipur Pink Panthers' fundamental vulnerability, with the third-lowest tackle success rate and third-lowest average tackle points in the league creating massive pressure on their raiders.

Jaipur Pink Panthers Defence Unit in PKL 12:

• 13 matches: 120 tackle points (9.2 average, 39% SR)

Their recent form has been particularly concerning, with the 21-point defeat to Bengaluru Bulls representing their second-worst defensive performance of the season.

Jaipur Pink Panthers in PKL 12 | Last 8 Matches:

• M#77 vs Bengaluru Bulls: 7 points at 28% SR – Lost
• M#67 vs Dabang Delhi: 16 points at 62% SR – Lost (tie-breaker)
• M#63 vs Puneri Paltan: 5 points at 20% SR – Lost
• M#57 vs Haryana Steelers: 12 points at 50% SR – Won
• M#52 vs Tamil Thalaivas: 9 points at 50% SR – Lost
• M#48 vs U Mumba: 11 points at 35% SR – Won
• M#39 vs Bengal Warriorz: 13 points at 45% SR – Won
• M#31 vs UP Yoddhas: 12 points at 52% SR – Won

The statistics reveal a clear pattern – when the defence reaches 10+ tackle points, they have a fighting chance; below that threshold, defeat becomes almost inevitable.

Aryan Kumar and Reza Mirbagheri have been their best performers this season, both maintaining tackle success rates above 45%:

Jaipur Pink Panthers Defenders in PKL 12:

• Aryan Kumar: 29 tackle points (2.4 average, 46% SR, 3 Super Tackles)
• Reza Mirbagheri: 26 tackle points (2.0 average, 48% SR, 2 Super Tackles, 1 High 5)
• Deepanshu Khatri: 26 tackle points (2.2 average, 41% SR, 3 Super Tackles, 1 High 5)

Alarmingly, no Jaipur defender averages more than 2.5 tackle points per match. Captain Nitin Rawal's struggles have been particularly concerning, not even ranking amongst the team's top four defenders.

A rare bright spot came against Dabang Delhi when Reza Mirbagheri and Deepanshu Khatri both recorded High 5s – the first time in 11 matches that Panthers defenders achieved this feat. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as they lost in the tie-breaker.

Jaipur Defenders vs Dabang Delhi in M#67:

• Deepanshu Khatri: 5 points at 63% SR
• Reza Mirbagheri: 5 points at 125% SR

Reza's recent improvement suggests potential revival:

Reza Mirbagheri in PKL 12:

First 5 Matches vs Next 8 Matches:

• Tackle Points: 9 vs 17
• Average Tackle Points: 1.8 vs 2.1
• Tackle Success Rate: 45% vs 51%
• Assists: 4 vs 20

Puneri Paltan – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

• M#79 vs Dabang Delhi – Won 38–38 (6-5 tie-breaker victory)
• M#78 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Won 36–23 (13-point dominance)
• M#72 vs U Mumba – Won 37–27 (10-point victory)
• M#63 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 41–36 (5-point success)
• M#59 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won 29–29 (6-4 tie-breaker triumph)

Puneri Paltan have found their rhythm spectacularly, extending their winning streak to six consecutive matches whilst securing top position on the table. More importantly, they have already confirmed playoff qualification with matches to spare.

Their thrilling tie-breaker victory over second-placed Dabang Delhi showcased resilience and character, demonstrating championship credentials through their ability to prevail in pressure situations.

Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite have led the raiding unit effectively, with Pankaj's recent resurgence perfectly timing his form after a slow start. Their defence remains the league's best, providing the foundation for their success.

Aditya Shinde Leads the Pune Raiding, Pankaj Mohite Steps Up and Is in Form

Puneri Paltan's balanced raiding attack has proven consistently effective throughout PKL 12:

Puneri Paltan Raiding in PKL 12:

• 15 matches: 318 raid points (21.2 average, 51% SR)

Aditya Shinde has established himself as the primary raider, recently crossing 100 raid points for the season with an excellent success rate:

Aditya Shinde in PKL 12:

• 14 matches: 113 raid points (8.1 average, 66% SR, 5 Super 10s)

Pankaj Mohite's supporting contributions have been equally crucial:

Pankaj Mohite in PKL 12:

• 15 matches: 90 raid points (6.0 average, 48% SR, 3 Super 10s)

Together, they contribute 64% of Puneri Paltan's raid points, creating balanced attacking depth that prevents opponents from focusing solely on one raider.

Aditya Shinde's consistency across different time intervals demonstrates tactical intelligence:

Aditya Shinde Interval-Wise in PKL 12:

• 1-10 minutes: 34 points at 71% SR
• 11-20 minutes: 19 points at 46% SR
• 21-30 minutes: 37 points at 71% SR
• 31-40 minutes: 23 points at 74% SR (exceptional finishing)

His performance directly correlates with team success – Puneri Paltan have never lost when Aditya records a Super 10:

Aditya Shinde in PKL 12:

Wins vs Losses:

• Matches: 11 vs 3
• Raid Points: 100 vs 13
• Average Raid Points: 9.1 vs 4.3
• Raid Success Rate: 68% vs 54%
• Super 10s: 5 vs 0

Whilst Aditya struggled in the last two matches, Pankaj Mohite's excellent form ensured the attacking unit maintained productivity, supported by captain Aslam Inamdar's contributions.

Pankaj Mohite in Last 4 Matches | PKL 12:

• M#79 vs Dabang Delhi: 7 points at 50% SR
• M#78 vs Tamil Thalaivas: 8 points at 57% SR
• M#72 vs U Mumba: 4 points at 31% SR
• M#63 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers: 8 points at 67% SR

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 26 | Jaipur Pink Panthers – 14 | Puneri Paltan – 10 | Tied – 2

Since PKL 9: Matches – 8 | Jaipur Pink Panthers – 4 | Puneri Paltan – 4

The historical record slightly favours Jaipur Pink Panthers, though recent encounters have been evenly contested. These sides met in the PKL 9 final, with Jaipur claiming their second title.

Earlier this season, their competitive encounter saw Puneri Paltan emerge victorious despite Ali Samadi's heroics. Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite combined for 21 raid points whilst Ali's record-breaking 21-point performance couldn't secure victory.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

• M#63 PKL 12: Puneri Paltan won 41–36 (5-point victory)
• M#75 PKL 11: Jaipur Pink Panthers won 37–23 (14-point dominance)
• M#60 PKL 11: Jaipur Pink Panthers won 30–28 (2-point thriller)
• M#69 PKL 10: Jaipur Pink Panthers won 36–34 (2-point success)
• M#5 PKL 10: Puneri Paltan won 37–33 (4-point victory)

Key Player Battles

Jaipur Pink Panthers' Raiders vs Puneri Paltan's Defenders:

• Nitin Dhankar 5–1 Gaurav Khatri
• Nitin Dhankar 5–1 Vishal Bhardwaj
• Nitin Dhankar 2–4 Abinesh Nadarajan (closely contested)
• Ali Samadi 7–0 Gurdeep (dominant record)

Puneri Paltan's Raiders vs Jaipur Pink Panthers' Defenders:

• Aditya Shinde 4–1 Reza Mirbagheri
• Pankaj Mohite 3–0 Reza Mirbagheri

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between contrasting philosophies. Puneri Paltan's balanced excellence and momentum meet Jaipur Pink Panthers' desperate need for points in a match that could define the Panthers' playoff aspirations.

The key battles – Ali Samadi's brilliance versus the defensive mastery of Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj, and Nitin Kumar's fitness levels against Aditya Shinde's consistency – will likely determine the outcome.

Expect Puneri Paltan to learn from their previous encounter, targeting Ali Samadi more aggressively to prevent another record-breaking performance. If Nitin Kumar isn't fully fit, the Panthers will struggle to overcome the league's best defence.

However, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Jaipur Pink Panthers will fight desperately. If Ali Samadi replicates his previous heroics and receives adequate support from both Nitin and the defence, they possess the quality to cause an upset.

Match Details:

• Match: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Puneri Paltan – Match 86, PKL Season 12
• Date: Wednesday, 15th October 2025
• Time: 8:30 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.

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