Patna Pirates face Tamil Thalaivas in Match 69 of PKL 12 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai. The Pirates arrive seeking to build on their crucial victory over UP Yoddhas that lifted them off the bottom of the table, whilst the Thalaivas aim to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Bengaluru Bulls and avenge consecutive PKL 11 losses to the Pirates.

Probable Starting 7

Patna Pirates

  • Right Corner – Navdeep
  • Right In – Ankit Kumar
  • Right Cover – Deepak Singh
  • Centre – Sudhakar M
  • Left Cover – Balaji D
  • Left In – Ayan
  • Left Corner – Ankit (C)

Tamil Thalaivas

  • Right Corner – Arulnanthababu
  • Right In – Arjun Deshwal (C)
  • Right Cover – Ronak
  • Centre – Rohit Beniwal
  • Left Cover – Ashish
  • Left In – Yogesh Yadav
  • Left Corner – Nitesh Kumar

Headlines

➢ Raid machine Arjun Deshwal powering Thalaivas single-handedly

➢ Arjun needs support raiders to step up

➢ Ayan – bright spark in the Pirates setup

➢ Pirates' defence key to their victories

➢ Nitesh Kumar leading the Tamil defence

➢ Can Nitesh Kumar score 4 tackle points and become the first defender in PKL 12 to reach 50 tackle points milestone?

Top Stories of the Match

Raid Machine Arjun Deshwal Powering Thalaivas Single-Handedly

Arjun Deshwal continues to shoulder an enormous burden for Tamil Thalaivas, delivering match-winning performances with metronomic consistency whilst receiving minimal support from his raiding partners. His 127 raid points at 10.6 average with 54% strike rate and seven Super 10s in 12 matches represent exceptional individual statistics, but the team's over-reliance on their captain has become increasingly problematic.

The stark reality is that Arjun has contributed 57% of Tamil Thalaivas' total raid points this season – a dependency ratio that ranks amongst the highest in the league. Whilst he averages 10.6 raid points at 54% strike rate, the remaining raiders combined average just 7.9 points at 40% strike rate, creating a dangerous imbalance.

This over-dependence becomes brutally apparent when examining win-loss splits. In Tamil Thalaivas' five victories, Arjun averages a staggering 15.4 raid points from 77 total points at 63% strike rate. In their seven defeats, these numbers plummet catastrophically to just 7.1 average raid points from 50 total points at 45% strike rate. The equation is devastatingly simple: if Arjun performs, Thalaivas win; if he struggles, they lose.

Arjun Deshwal's raiding in PKL 12:

  • Wins: 77 raid points (15.4 average, 63% SR in 5 matches)
  • Losses: 50 raid points (7.1 average, 45% SR in 7 matches)

Against Patna Pirates specifically, Arjun possesses an outstanding record that should provide confidence. In 9 matches against the Pirates throughout his PKL career, he's accumulated 102 raid points at 11.3 average with 68% strike rate and five Super 10s – demonstrating his ability to dismantle their defensive structure consistently.

Arjun's effectiveness varies significantly by match interval, revealing tactical patterns that opponents can exploit. His strike rates by phase show pronounced variance: 56% (1-10 mins, 39 points), a concerning 39% (11-20 mins, 18 points), excellent 72% (21-30 mins, 36 points), and respectable 49% (31-40 mins, 34 points).

The 11-20 minute phase represents his vulnerability – in this interval, he gets caught far more frequently, with just 18 points from 46 raids. Savvy defences have identified this weakness, concentrating their efforts in this period to neutralise his threat.

The critical concern for Tamil Thalaivas remains the supporting cast's abject failure to provide consistent assistance. This dependency has contributed to the Thalaivas possessing the second-lowest average raid points (18.5) and second-lowest raid strike rate (45%) in PKL 12, trailing only Gujarat Giants (17.5 points, 41% strike rate) and level with Bengaluru Bulls.

Against Patna Pirates' improving but still vulnerable defence, Arjun will expect another productive outing. However, without meaningful support, even his individual brilliance may prove insufficient against a Pirates team gaining confidence.

Ayan – Bright Spark in the Patna Pirates Setup

Ayan has emerged as Patna Pirates' beacon of hope during their turbulent season, producing performances that have kept them competitive despite systematic failures across other departments. His evolution from promising youngster to team talisman has been remarkable, with his 119 raid points at 11.9 average with 68% strike rate and six Super 10s in 10 matches placing him firmly amongst PKL 12's elite raiders.

The young sensation now ranks fourth-best in terms of total raid points in PKL 12, trailing only the phenomenal Devank (181 points), Ashu Malik (134), and Arjun Deshwal (127). His 11.9 average places him third in the league, showcasing his ability to deliver match-winning totals consistently.

Ayan's dominance of Patna Pirates' raiding output mirrors Arjun's situation at Tamil Thalaivas. He's contributed approximately 54% of the Pirates' total raid points, shouldering an immense burden in Maninder Singh's absence from several matches. However, unlike Arjun's struggles in defeats, Ayan maintains remarkable consistency across results.

Ayan's contribution in PKL 12:

  • Wins: 39 raid points (13.0 average, 70% SR in 3 matches)
  • Losses: 80 raid points (11.4 average, 68% SR in 7 matches)

His ability to maintain excellence in defeats demonstrates mental fortitude and technical consistency that suggests a bright future. The marginal difference between his win and loss statistics indicates that his performances rarely falter – rather, the team's other weaknesses prove insurmountable.

Against UP Yoddhas in the previous match, Ayan produced a match-defining performance with 15 raid points from 21 raids at 71% strike rate, securing his sixth Super 10 and leading the Pirates to their third victory. This performance exemplified his ability to deliver when the team needs him most.

Ayan's proficiency across Defenders In Play situations demonstrates tactical completeness. He excels particularly against full defences, scoring 79 raid points at 77% strike rate in 6-7 DIP situations – the phase where most raiders struggle. He maintains impressive efficiency in reduced defences as well: 12 points at 75% in 2-3 DIP and 27 points at 49% in 4-5 DIP.

His effectiveness varies by half, with superior performance in the opening period. In the first half, he's accumulated 70 raid points from 91 raids at 77% strike rate. In the second half, whilst still productive, his numbers decline to 49 points from 83 raids at 59% strike rate – suggesting either fatigue or opponents adjusting their defensive strategies.

Ayan's 68% strike rate ranks joint-fourth amongst raiders with 75+ points in PKL 12, level with his opponent Arjun Deshwal. This statistical similarity sets up a fascinating head-to-head battle between two raiders carrying their teams single-handedly.

Pirates' Defence Key to Their Victories

Patna Pirates' defensive transformation following their victory over UP Yoddhas offers genuine hope that their season can be salvaged. After nine matches of systematic defensive failure, the 13 tackle points at 48% strike rate against the Yoddhas represented a significant breakthrough that directly contributed to their crucial 8-point victory.

The stark contrast between Pirates' defensive performances in victories versus defeats reveals the unit's central importance. In their three wins, the defence has averaged 12.3 tackle points from 77 tackles at 48% strike rate. In their seven defeats, these numbers collapsed to 7.0 average tackle points from 167 tackles at 29% strike rate.

Patna Pirates' defence in PKL 12:

  • Wins: 37 tackle points (12.3 average, 48% SR in 3 matches)
  • Losses: 49 tackle points (7.0 average, 29% SR in 7 matches)

Despite the UP Yoddhas breakthrough, the Pirates still possess the second-lowest tackle strike rate (35%) and second-lowest average tackle points (8.6) in the entire league, ahead of only Bengal Warriorz (29% strike rate, 8.2 average points) and trailing UP Yoddhas (37% strike rate, 8.8 average points).

The emergence of Navdeep as a genuine supporting defender alongside captain Ankit represents the season's most encouraging development. In the UP Yoddhas match, Navdeep produced a perfect High 5 performance with 5 tackle points from 5 tackles at 100% strike rate – the Pirates' third High 5 of the season after Ankit's two earlier efforts.

Current defensive statistics:

  • Ankit: 28 tackle points (2.8 average, 47% SR, 2 High 5s, 15 assists)
  • Navdeep: 22 tackle points (2.4 average, 44% SR, 1 High 5, 14 assists)
  • Deepak Singh: 16 tackle points (1.6 average, 34% SR, 22 assists)
  • Sanket Sawant: 5 tackle points (0.6 average, 19% SR, 26 assists)

Ankit has been the unit's lone consistent performer throughout the season, maintaining near-50% strike rate despite minimal support. His 2.8 average tackle points and 47% strike rate represent respectable numbers, particularly given the chaos surrounding him in earlier matches.

Navdeep's resurgence from his earlier struggles (17 tackle points at 38% strike rate in first 8 matches) to his perfect High 5 performance suggests he may finally be finding form. If he can sustain this level alongside Ankit's consistency, the Pirates possess a viable defensive partnership.

However, Deepak Singh's 34% strike rate and Sanket Sawant's catastrophic 19% remain serious concerns. Sanket's 19% strike rate ranks amongst the league's worst for regular defenders, whilst Deepak's 34% isn't substantially better.

Against Tamil Thalaivas' Arjun Deshwal – who averages 11.3 raid points at 68% strike rate against the Pirates historically – the defence faces its sternest test since the UP Yoddhas victory. If they can reproduce the 12+ tackle points at 45%+ strike rate, the Pirates have realistic victory prospects. Anything less will likely prove insufficient.

Nitesh Kumar Leading the Tamil Thalaivas' Defence

Nitesh Kumar continues his march towards individual defensive excellence, establishing himself as PKL 12's premier defender with statistics that place him ahead of all rivals. His 46 tackle points in 12 matches at 3.8 average with 59% strike rate and four High 5s represent the league's best defensive numbers, comfortably ahead of Gaurav Khatri (38 points, 3.2 average, 62% strike rate) and Jaideep (37 points, 3.4 average, 63% strike rate).

The left corner defender stands on the cusp of history. If he scores 4 tackle points in this match, he will become the first defender in PKL 12 to reach the 50 tackle points milestone – a feat that would cement his status as the season's most dominant defensive player.

Nitesh's recent form has been nothing short of extraordinary. After a solid start where he accumulated 19 tackle points from 40 tackles at 48% strike rate with one High 5 in his first seven matches, he elevated his game dramatically. In his next four matches, he scored 23 tackle points from 32 tackles at 72% strike rate with three High 5s – nearly tripling his tackle points rate from 2.7 to 5.8 per match.

Nitesh Kumar's last 5 matches:

  • M#66 vs Bengaluru Bulls: 4 tackle points from 6 tackles at 67% SR
  • M#62 vs Haryana Steelers: 4 tackle points from 7 tackles at 57% SR
  • M#58 vs U Mumba: 5 tackle points from 7 tackles at 71% SR (High 5)
  • M#52 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers: 7 tackle points from 7 tackles at 100% SR (High 5)
  • M#46 vs UP Yoddhas: 7 tackle points from 11 tackles at 64% SR (High 5)

His consistency across Defenders In Play situations demonstrates tactical versatility that makes him exceptionally difficult to bypass. Nitesh maintains tackle strike rates exceeding 50% in all three DIP categories: 24 tackle points at 55% in 6-7 DIP, 18 points at 67% in 4-5 DIP, and 4 points at 67% in 2-3 DIP.

Nitesh is the primary architect of Tamil Thalaivas' defensive excellence. The Thalaivas rank third in both average tackle points (11.2) and tackle strike rate (45%) in PKL 12, trailing only Puneri Paltan (11.8 average, 46% strike rate) and U Mumba (11.5 average, 44% strike rate).

Tamil Thalaivas' defensive performance shows pronounced variance between victories and defeats, with Nitesh's contributions often proving decisive. In wins, they average 13.8 tackle points from 136 tackles at 51% strike rate. In losses, these numbers decline to 9.3 average tackle points from 159 tackles at 41% strike rate.

Complementing Nitesh's brilliance is Ronak, whose assist game leads the entire league. The right cover has recorded 52 assists in PKL 12 – the highest in the competition, ahead of Satyappa Matti (47) and Sandeep (43) – showcasing Tamil Thalaivas' coordinated defensive approach.

Against Patna Pirates historically, Nitesh maintains a limited but positive record. In 3 matches against the Pirates, he's scored 6 tackle points at 2.0 average with 55% strike rate. More significantly, he holds positive head-to-head records against Pirates' key raiders: 2-0 vs Maninder Singh and 1-0 vs Ayan in their solitary previous encounter.

If Nitesh reaches the 50 tackle points milestone in this match whilst simultaneously containing Ayan's threat, he will have produced one of the season's most complete individual defensive performances.

Team Stories

Patna Pirates – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#68 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 36–28
  • M#55 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 28–37
  • M#51 vs Bengal Warriorz – Lost 42–48
  • M#43 vs Dabang Delhi – Won 33–30
  • M#38 vs Haryana Steelers – Lost 32–43

Patna Pirates secured a crucial 8-point victory over UP Yoddhas in their last match, lifting themselves off the bottom of the table to 10th position. With 3 wins from 10 matches, the three-time champions remain in crisis, but the UP Yoddhas triumph offers genuine hope that their season can be salvaged.

The victory was built on collective excellence rather than individual heroics. Ayan delivered his sixth Super 10 with 15 raid points, whilst the defence produced their best performance of the season with 13 tackle points at 48% strike rate. Navdeep's perfect High 5 (5 points from 5 tackles at 100% strike rate) alongside Ankit's consistent contributions demonstrated the defensive potential that had been dormant for nine matches.

The Pirates' season trajectory remains concerning. After starting with three consecutive defeats, they shocked Puneri Paltan comprehensively in their fourth match, followed by another upset victory over table-topping Dabang Delhi. However, they failed to build momentum from either triumph, losing their next matches immediately afterwards.

Now, with newfound confidence from the UP Yoddhas victory, the Pirates face a critical juncture. Can they finally establish consistency and assemble a winning streak? Or will they revert to the defensive frailties and lack of raiding support that characterised their seven defeats?

Patna Pirates' Defensive Resurgence

The transformation of Patna Pirates' defence from systematic failure to genuine competence represents the season's most dramatic turnaround. After nine matches averaging just 8.1 tackle points at 33% strike rate, the 13-point performance against UP Yoddhas demonstrated capabilities that had remained frustratingly latent.

Current defensive statistics:

  • Ankit: 28 tackle points (2.8 average, 47% SR, 2 High 5s, 15 assists)
  • Navdeep: 22 tackle points (2.4 average, 44% SR, 2 High 5s, 14 assists)
  • Deepak Singh: 16 tackle points (1.6 average, 34% SR, 1 super tackle, 22 assists)
  • Sanket Sawant: 5 tackle points (0.6 average, 19% SR, 26 assists)

Navdeep's emergence as a reliable partner for Ankit offers the most encouraging development. His perfect High 5 against UP Yoddhas, combined with Ankit's 3 tackle points from 6 tackles at 50% strike rate, created a corner defender partnership that can potentially withstand elite raiders.

However, sustainability remains the critical question. Can Navdeep maintain this level, or will he revert to the 38% strike rate shown in his first eight matches? If he sustains even 40%+ strike rate alongside Ankit's consistency, the Pirates possess a viable defensive foundation.

The cover positions remain problematic. Deepak Singh's 34% strike rate and Sanket Sawant's catastrophic 19% continue to expose the unit when corner defenders are bypassed. Against Tamil Thalaivas' Arjun Deshwal, who excels at exploiting weak cover defenders, this vulnerability could prove fatal.

Tamil Thalaivas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#66 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 29–33
  • M#62 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 45–33
  • M#58 vs U Mumba – Lost 24–42
  • M#52 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 37–28
  • M#46 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 22–39

Tamil Thalaivas suffered a frustrating 4-point defeat to Bengaluru Bulls despite Arjun Deshwal's near-Super 10 performance (9 raid points). The loss dropped them to 8th position with 5 wins in 12 matches, though they remain firmly in playoff contention if they can establish consistency.

Nitesh Kumar narrowly missed a fifth High 5, scoring 4 tackle points from 6 tackles at 67% strike rate – falling just one point short for the second consecutive match. His pursuit of the 50 tackle points milestone adds individual intrigue to team objectives.

The Thalaivas' critical weakness remains unchanged: the absence of a reliable second raider to support Arjun Deshwal. They've experimented with multiple options including Narender Kandola (19 points at 3.2 average), Rohit Beniwal (22 points at 2.7 average), and Moein Shafaghi (9 points at 1.0 average), but none have established consistency.

Against Patna Pirates, Tamil Thalaivas seek revenge for consecutive PKL 11 defeats (42-38 in M#109, 42-40 in M#15). Both matches were closely contested, suggesting the teams are evenly matched despite their contrasting current trajectories.

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiding Crisis

The over-dependence on Arjun Deshwal has become Tamil Thalaivas' defining characteristic and greatest vulnerability. Whilst Nitesh Kumar's defensive excellence provides stability at one end, the absence of consistent raiding support places impossible pressure on their captain.

Current raiding statistics:

  • Arjun Deshwal: 127 raid points (10.6 average, 54% SR, 7 Super 10s)
  • Rohit Beniwal: 22 raid points (2.7 average, 52% SR)
  • Narender Kandola: 19 raid points (3.2 average, 41% SR in 6 matches)

The gulf between Arjun and his supporting cast mirrors the situations at UP Yoddhas (Gagan Gowda) and Patna Pirates (Ayan), but Tamil Thalaivas' case may be most severe. Their 18.5 average raid points ranks second-lowest in the league, whilst their 45% raid strike rate is joint-third-lowest.

Against Patna Pirates' improving but still vulnerable defence, the supporting raiders face an ideal opportunity to establish credibility. If Rohit Beniwal or Narender Kandola can contribute 8-10 raid points to complement Arjun's expected productivity, the Thalaivas possess overwhelming attacking firepower.

However, if Arjun must carry the burden alone against a Pirates defence gaining confidence from their UP Yoddhas performance, even his historical dominance against Patna may prove insufficient.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 16 | Tamil Thalaivas – 4 | Patna Pirates – 9 | Tied – 3

Patna Pirates maintain historical dominance, having won 9 of 16 encounters including both PKL 11 meetings. However, the Thalaivas' solitary PKL 10 victory (41-25 in M#75) demonstrated their capability to dismantle the Pirates comprehensively when functioning properly.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • PKL 11 M#109: Pirates won 42–38
  • PKL 11 M#15: Pirates won 42–40
  • PKL 10 M#75: Thalaivas won 41–25
  • PKL 10 M#34: Pirates won 46–33
  • PKL 9 M#82: Tied 33–33

Both PKL 11 encounters were closely contested, with Pirates prevailing by 4 points and 2 points respectively. These narrow margins suggest the teams are evenly matched, with small moments and individual brilliance likely to prove decisive.

Key Player Battles

Patna Pirates' Raiders vs Tamil Thalaivas' Defenders

  • Maninder Singh 0–2 Nitesh Kumar
  • Maninder Singh 1–2 Arulnanthababu
  • Ayan 0–1 Nitesh Kumar

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiders vs Patna Pirates' Defenders

  • Arjun Deshwal 9–3 Ankit
  • Narender Kandola 3–4 Ankit
  • Arjun Deshwal 6–2 Sanket Sawant
  • Narender Kandola 5–5 Sanket Sawant

What to Expect

This encounter presents a fascinating battle between two teams with contrasting trajectories but similar structural weaknesses. Patna Pirates arrive with renewed confidence from their UP Yoddhas victory, seeking to establish consistency and climb away from the relegation zone. Tamil Thalaivas aim to bounce back from their Bengaluru Bulls defeat whilst avenging consecutive PKL 11 losses.

The critical matchup centres on Ayan versus Nitesh Kumar. Both players are carrying their teams single-handedly in their respective departments, and whichever individual dominates will likely determine the outcome. Ayan's 0-1 head-to-head record against Nitesh suggests the defender holds psychological advantage, but the sample size is too small for conclusive assessment.

Similarly, Arjun Deshwal's 9-3 historical dominance over Ankit and 6-2 advantage over Sanket Sawant indicates he should thrive against Patna's defence. However, if Navdeep sustains his UP Yoddhas form and Ankit maintains consistency, the Pirates possess sufficient defensive capability to contain even elite raiders.

The supporting casts could prove decisive. If Maninder Singh features alongside Ayan's brilliance, the Pirates possess overwhelming raiding firepower. Conversely, if the Thalaivas' support raiders finally establish credibility alongside Arjun's expected productivity, their attacking superiority could prove insurmountable.

Historical head-to-head records favour Patna Pirates (9-4 overall), but Tamil Thalaivas' superior current form and league position suggest they should prevail. The Thalaivas' defensive excellence – led by Nitesh's pursuit of the 50 tackle points milestone – provides them with a foundation that the Pirates' resurgent but still fragile defence cannot match.

Expect a closely contested, high-scoring encounter where individual brilliance from Ayan, Arjun, and Nitesh determines the outcome. Both teams' over-reliance on star performers ensures neither can dominate comprehensively, but Tamil Thalaivas' greater overall balance should prove decisive.

Match Details

  • Match: Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas – Match 69, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Tuesday, 7th October 2025
  • Time: 7:30 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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