PKL Season 12 Match 51 Preview: Patna Pirates vs Bengal Warriorz – Giant Killers Meet Devank's Individual Brilliance

Two teams searching for consistency collide in Match 51 of PKL 12 as Patna Pirates host Bengal Warriorz. The Pirates have shown they can beat the best teams but struggle for regular victories, whilst the Warriorz continue to rely heavily on Dhaakad Devank's individual brilliance. The emotional subplot of Devank facing his former team adds intrigue to a match both sides desperately need to win.

Probable Starting 7

Patna Pirates

• Right Corner – Navdeep
• Right In – Sudhakar M
• Right Cover – Deepak Singh
• Centre – Milan Dahiya
• Left Cover – Sanket Sawant
• Left In – Ayan
• Left Corner – Ankit (C)

Bengal Warriorz

• Right Corner – Nitesh Kumar
• Right In – Devank (C)
• Right Cover – Mayur Kadam
• Centre – Punit Kumar
• Left Cover – Parteek
• Left In – Manprit
• Left Corner – Ashish

Headlines

➢ Dhaakad Devank faces his former team for the first time since leading them to the PKL 11 final
➢ Devank leads PKL 12 with 15.6 average raid points and seven consecutive Super 10s
➢ Pirates are giant killers - their only wins came against the top-two teams, Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi
➢ Maninder Singh returns to face Bengal Warriorz after 1398 raid points in seven seasons
➢ Bengal defence, led by Ashish slowly gathering momentum with four High 5s in seven matches
➢ Both teams are averaging below nine tackle points per match - the worst defensive records in PKL 12
➢ Devank became the fastest raider to reach 400 PKL raid points in just 38 matches

Top Stories of the Match

Dhaakad Devank's Homecoming Against His Championship-Winning Former Side

The headline attraction of Match 51 sees Dhaakad Devank face Patna Pirates for the first time since his sensational transfer to Bengal Warriorz. The man who led the Pirates to the PKL 11 final returns to haunt his former employers, carrying the weight of unprecedented individual excellence.

Devank's PKL 11 heroics for Patna Pirates remain fresh in memory:

• 301 raid points at 12.0 average - most in season 11
• 18 Super 10s - league-leading tally
• 49 multi-point raids - most prolific performance
• 89 bonus points - highest in the season

The transition to Bengal Warriorz has seen no drop in standards. If anything, Devank has elevated his game to new heights, establishing himself as the undisputed king of PKL 12 raiders.

Devank's PKL 12 dominance:

• 109 raid points in 7 matches at 15.6 average - best in the league
• Seven consecutive Super 10s - only raider to achieve this feat this season
• 69% raid success rate, maintaining elite consistency
• 61% of Bengal Warriorz's total raid points

His situational mastery reveals the depth of his tactical understanding. Against 6-7 defenders, where lesser raiders struggle, Devank thrives with 83 raid points at a 77% success rate. His performance across different time intervals shows remarkable consistency, excelling particularly in the crucial 21-30 minute period with 35 points at an 81% success rate.

The historical context adds emotional weight to this encounter. Devank's limited previous meetings with individual Pirates defenders mean a tactical chess match awaits, but his overall comfort against defensive systems suggests he'll relish the psychological battle.

Against his former teammates, Devank will be motivated by proving his worth while facing defenders who know his tendencies intimately. The Pirates' defensive frailties - averaging just 8.6 tackle points per match at a 35% success rate - provide an inviting platform for the league's most consistent performer.

Pirates' Defensive Vulnerability Meets Individual Over-Reliance

The stark reality for both teams lies in their defensive inadequacies. Patna Pirates and Bengal Warriorz occupy the bottom two positions for average tackle points per match, creating a fascinating paradox where attack will likely determine the winner.

Pirates' defensive struggles in numbers:

• 60 tackle points in 7 matches at 8.6 average
• 35% tackle success rate - second-worst in league
• Single High 5 from all defenders combined (Ankit)
• Massive disparity between wins (12 tackle points average) and losses (7.2 average)

Ankit has emerged as the lone bright spot in an otherwise struggling defensive unit:

• 19 tackle points at 2.7 average with 50% success rate
• Only Pirates defender with double-digit tackle points
• Single High 5 achievement highlighting defensive paucity

The supporting cast of Navdeep (14 points), Deepak Singh (11 points), and Sanket Sawant (4 points) reflects the systemic issues plaguing the Pirates' defensive structure.

Bengal Warriorz present an equally troubling defensive picture:

• 59 tackle points in 7 matches at 8.4 average - worst in league
• 32% tackle success rate, creating constant pressure onthe attack
• Only two matches with double-digit tackle points all season

However, signs of revival emerge through Ashish's recent form:

• 23 tackle points in 6 matches at 3.8 average
• Four High 5s in seven matches - joint-most among corners
• 55% tackle success rate showing individual excellence amid collective struggle

The Nitesh Kumar factor adds intrigue. The former PKL star has managed just 10 tackle points in 6 matches at 1.7 average, far below his historical standards. His 36% success rate suggests ring rust from limited game time, but his pedigree against Patna Pirates (29 tackle points in 17 previous encounters) provides hope.

The defensive inadequacies of both teams suggest a high-scoring encounter where individual brilliance rather than collective defensive solidity will prove decisive.

Giant Killers Phenomenon and Maninder's Emotional Return

Patna Pirates have established themselves as the ultimate giant killers of PKL 12, demonstrating an uncanny ability to rise against top opposition whilst faltering against perceived weaker sides.

Pirates' giant-killing credentials:

• Two wins from seven matches - both against table-toppers
• Defeated Puneri Paltan 48-37 in a comprehensive fashion
• Beat Dabang Delhi 33-30 in their most recent outing
• Lost to mid-table teams, including Haryana Steelers and U Mumba

The tactical psychology behind these performances reveals fascinating patterns. Against stronger opposition, Pirates' raiders average 20.5 points per match at 51% success rate, whilst their defence steps up significantly with 12 tackle points per victory.

The addition of Maninder Singh adds emotional complexity to this encounter. The veteran raider faces Bengal Warriorz for the first time since his departure, carrying the burden of 1398 raid points accumulated over seven seasons in their colours.

Maninder's Bengal Warriorz legacy:

• 142 matches across seven seasons (PKL 5-11)
• 1398 raid points - record for most points for a single team
• 59% career success rate with 73 Super 10s
• PKL 7 championship triumph as key contributor

His current form for the Pirates shows glimpses of his former self:

• 27 raid points in 4 matches at 6.7 average
• 60% raid success rate, maintaining efficiency
• Single Super 10 demonstrating big-match capability

The emotional subplot of Maninder facing his former teammates adds layers to an already complex tactical battle, where individual pride meets collective ambition.

Team Stories

Patna Pirates – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:
M#43 vs Dabang Delhi – Won 33-30
M#38 vs Haryana Steelers – Lost 32-43
M#27 vs U Mumba – Lost 39-40
M#22 vs Puneri Paltan – Won 48-37
M#17 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 30-38

The Pirates' season narrative reads like a tale of unfulfilled potential punctuated by moments of brilliance against elite opposition. Their ability to raise performance levels against top teams whilst struggling for consistency against others has defined their campaign.

The statistical breakdown reveals intriguing patterns. Pirates' raiding actually performs better in defeats (22.6 average points) than victories (20.5 average), suggesting their attacking philosophy remains consistent regardless of opposition quality.

Ayan has emerged as their most reliable performer: 76 raid points in 7 matches at 10.9 average, 64% raid success rate with 3 Super 10s. Consistent threat complementing veteran presence

The defensive concerns remain paramount. With just 60 tackle points across seven matches, the Pirates rely almost exclusively on offensive firepower to secure victories. This approach works against attacking teams but struggles when defensive solidity is required.

Bengal Warriorz – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:
M#39 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Lost 41-45
M#35 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 41-37
M#30 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Lost 36-46
M#23 vs Dabang Delhi – Lost 34-45
M#19 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 34-44

The Warriorz season has been defined by Devank's individual brilliance masking collective inadequacies. After a promising start defeating PKL 11 champions Puneri Paltan, four consecutive defeats highlighted systemic issues before a solitary victory against UP Yoddhas provided temporary relief.

The over-reliance on Devank becomes starkly apparent when examining supporting contributions: Manprit: 35 raid points at 5.8 average - lone consistent support Vishwas S: 14 points in 3 matches at 100% success rate - limited sample Punit Kumar: 9 points at 30% success rate - struggling for impact

The defensive revival under Ashish's leadership offers hope. His four High 5s in seven matches represent genuine progress, whilst Nitesh Kumar's gradual return to form suggests defensive improvement is possible.

The Warriorz's season trajectory depends entirely on whether support systems can emerge around Devank's exceptional individual performances.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 25 | Patna Pirates – 16 | Bengal Warriorz – 6 | Tied – 3

Key Player Battles

Patna Pirates' Raiders vs Bengal Warriorz' Defenders
Ayan 5–0 Nitesh Kumar
Maninder Singh 15–13 Nitesh Kumar
Ayan 0–1 Mayur Kadam
Maninder Singh 7–3 Mayur Kadam

Bengal Warriorz' Raiders vs Patna Pirates' Defenders
Devank 2–0 Sanket Sawant

What to Expect

This encounter promises to showcase the contrast between individual brilliance and collective strength. Devank's homecoming provides emotional context to what should be a tactical battle between two defensively vulnerable sides.

The key question revolves around whether the Pirates' giant-killing mentality can translate against a team heavily dependent on individual performance rather than collective strength. Conversely, can Bengal Warriorz's supporting cast finally provide adequate assistance to their star performer?

With both teams averaging below nine tackle points per match, expect a high-scoring encounter where attacking prowess rather than defensive solidity proves decisive. The emotional stakes for both Devank and Maninder, facing former teammates, add intrigue to what promises to be a captivating encounter.

The winner will likely be determined by which team's supporting cast steps up to complement their star performers, making this a fascinating study in individual excellence versus collective ambition.

Match Details

• Match: Patna Pirates vs Bengal Warriorz – Match 51, PKL Season 12
• Date: Saturday, 27th September 2025
• Time: 7:30 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.

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