PKL Season 12 Match 7 Preview: Patna Pirates vs UP Yoddhas – Champions’ Legacy Meets Playoff Regulars

The stage is set at the Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag, for Match 7 of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, where Patna Pirates lock horns with UP Yoddhas. The Pirates, three-time PKL champions, are in a rebuilding phase with a fresh captain and coach, while the Yoddhas continue their quest for a maiden PKL title after starting this season with a win.

Both sides bring history, star power, and tactical intrigue into this clash, making it one of the most anticipated fixtures of the early season.

Probable Starting 7

Patna Pirates

• Right Corner: Sombir
• Right In: Maninder Singh
• Right Cover: Deepak Singh
• Centre: Sudhakar M
• Left Cover: Sanket Sawant
• Left In: Ayan
• Left Corner: Ankit (C)
  

UP Yoddhas

• Right Corner: Hitesh
• Right In: Bhavani Rajput
• Right Cover: Ashu Singh
• Centre: Guman Singh
• Left Cover: Mahender Singh
• Left In: Gagan Gowda
• Left Corner: Sumit (C)

Team Stories

Patna Pirates – Champions Rebuilding for Glory

• Season-by-Season Performance:
  
  
• PKL 1 – Semifinals
• PKL 2 – Semifinals
• PKL 3 – Champions
• PKL 4 – Champions
• PKL 5 – Champions
• PKL 6 & 7 – Group Stage exits
• PKL 8 – Runners-up
• PKL 9 – Group Stage
• PKL 10 – Semifinals
• PKL 11 – Runners-up
  

The Pirates remain the most successful team in PKL history, having won three consecutive titles (PKL 3–5). After the departure of stalwarts like Ram Meher Singh and Pardeep Narwal, they struggled for consistency but have returned to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. For PKL 12, the franchise has turned to Anup Kumar as coach and veteran raider Maninder Singh, with Ankit Jaglan taking over as captain.

UP Yoddhas – Playoff Regulars Seeking First Title

• Season-by-Season Performance:
  
  
• PKL 5 – Playoffs
• PKL 6 – Playoffs
• PKL 7 – Playoffs
• PKL 8 – Playoffs
• PKL 9 – Playoffs
• PKL 10 – Group Stage
• PKL 11 – Playoffs
  
  

The Yoddhas have been remarkably consistent, reaching the playoffs in six of their seven PKL campaigns, though they have never finished in the top two of the league table. Coached by Jasveer Singh, they rely on defensive stability led by Sumit and Ashu Singh, while bolstering their raiding with Guman Singh. Their Season 12 started with a five-point win over Telugu Titans, powered by Gagan Gowda’s breakout performance.

Head-to-Head Record in PKL

• Overall: 17 Matches → Patna Pirates 10 | UP Yoddhas 6 | Tied 1
• Since PKL 9: 6 Matches → Patna Pirates 4 | UP Yoddhas 2
• In PKL 11, Yoddhas halted the Pirates’ 3-match winning streak with a crucial victory, setting up an evenly balanced rivalry.

Top Stories of the Match

• Anup Kumar and Maninder Singh Together:
  Former rivals from the very first PKL final (2014), Anup now coaches the Pirates while Maninder Singh, the league’s second-highest raid point scorer, joins their attack.
• UP’s Young Raiders Shine:
  With 24 raid points in their first match, Gagan Gowda and Guman Singh look ready to lead the Yoddhas’ charge, backed by Bhavani Rajput.
• Defensive Duel:
  The corner combinations — Sumit & Hitesh for Yoddhas, Ankit & Sombir for Pirates — could decide the balance of the game.

What to Expect

• Pirates’ Veterans vs Yoddhas’ Young Guns: Maninder Singh’s experience against Gagan Gowda’s fearlessness.
• Coaching Factor: Anup Kumar’s tactical acumen against Jasveer Singh’s tried-and-tested Yoddhas unit.
• Momentum Battle: Yoddhas will look to build on their opening win, while Pirates aim to start strong under new leadership.

Match Details

• Match: Patna Pirates vs UP Yoddhas
• Tournament: Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 – Match 7
• Date: Monday, September 1, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag
• Live Streaming: Watch 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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