The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 continues with another exciting clash as UP Yoddhas take on Puneri Paltan in Match 26 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag. Both sides have shown sparks of brilliance this season — UP Yoddhas riding on Gagan Gowda’s raiding form, while Puneri Paltan have relied on their terrific trio of raiders and strong defensive unit. With both teams looking to recover from recent setbacks, this promises to be a close, high-quality contest.

Probable Starting 7

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)

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

➢ Gagan Gowda leading the Yoddhas’ charge
 ➢ The terrific trio of raiding – Puneri Paltan’s success mantra
 ➢ Sumit is leading the Yoddhas’ defence
 ➢ Pune's defence will need improvement after the Pirate attack

Top Stories of the Match

Gagan Gowda Leading the Yoddhas’ Charge

UP Yoddhas have long been known for their strong raiding unit, and this season Gagan Gowda has emerged as the frontrunner in attack. After an excellent PKL 11 where he was one of the most efficient raiders, he has continued his fine form with a Super 10 against Haryana Steelers and consistent contributions in earlier matches.

  • He was the best performer in all three games so far, supported by Guman Singh and Bhavani Rajput.
  • Bhavani, who was one of UP’s key raiders last season, will need to step up and provide stronger support to Gagan in this fixture.
  • With UP boasting multiple capable raiders, the onus remains on Gowda to lead the charge against Pune’s compact defence.

The Terrific Trio of Raiding – Puneri Paltan’s Success Mantra

Puneri Paltan have relied on their balanced raiding unit of Aslam Inamdar, Pankaj Mohite, and Aditya Shinde, who have rotated responsibilities effectively.

  • Aditya Shinde has been their most aggressive option, starting the season with a superb Super 10 against Bengaluru Bulls.
  • Skipper Aslam Inamdar crossed the 500 raid points milestone earlier this season, becoming the first Paltan player to do so while also contributing defensively.
  • Pankaj Mohite has played the role of a reliable third raider, adding depth to their attack.
  • Even their bench raiders stepped up against Patna Pirates, showing Pune’s enviable raiding depth.

Sumit Leading the Yoddhas’ Defence

Captain Sumit continues to be the backbone of UP’s defence. With 15 tackle points in just 3 games, he has once again proven his consistency.

  • He picked up 8 tackle points in the opening match against Telugu Titans.
  • Supported by Hitesh and Ashu Singh, Sumit has kept UP’s defensive unit competitive.
  • With an excellent record against Puneri Paltan in the past, Sumit will be crucial in stopping Aslam Inamdar and Pankaj Mohite.

Pune Defence Needs Improvement After Pirate Attack

Puneri Paltan have been one of the stronger defensive teams this season, averaging 11.6 tackle points per match, the 2nd best in PKL 12. However, they were exposed by the Patna Pirates in their last game, conceding heavily.

  • Their high point came against Gujarat Giants, where they registered 18 tackle points, but their collapse against Patna showed vulnerability.
  • Gaurav Khatri and Gurdeep have been their leading defenders, while four different Pune defenders have already notched up High 5s this season.
  • Against an in-form Gagan Gowda, Pune will need their defence to regroup and avoid another slip.

Team Stories

UP Yoddhas – PKL 12 So Far

  • M#3 vs Telugu Titans: Won 40–35
  • M#7 vs Patna Pirates: Won 34–31
  • M#16 vs Haryana Steelers: Lost 32–37

The Yoddhas started brightly with two back-to-back wins but stumbled against Haryana Steelers in their third outing. Gagan Gowda has been their standout, while skipper Sumit has held firm in defence. They will look to bounce back against a tough opponent in Puneri Paltan.

Puneri Paltan – PKL 12 So Far

  • M#2 vs Bengaluru Bulls: Won 32(6)–32(4) [Tie-breaker]
  • M#8 vs Gujarat Giants: Won 41–19
  • M#11 vs Bengal Warriorz: Won 45–36
  • M#14 vs Dabang Delhi: Lost 28(5)–28(5) [Golden Raid]
  • M#22 vs Patna Pirates: Lost 37–48

Puneri Paltan started the season strongly, sitting in the top half with three wins from five. Their only losses have come in close contests against Dabang Delhi and a heavy defeat to Patna Pirates. Their raiding unit has impressed, while their defence — usually a strength — will look to bounce back from the Pirates’ onslaught.

Head-to-Head in PKL

  • Overall: Matches – 14 | UP Yoddhas – 7 | Puneri Paltan – 6 | Tied – 1
  • Since PKL 9: Matches – 6 | UP Yoddhas – 2 | Puneri Paltan – 3 | Tied – 1

Key Player Battles

UP Yoddhas’ Raiders vs Puneri Paltan’s Defenders

  • Guman Singh 10 – 4 Gaurav Khatri
  • Gagan Gowda 4 – 3 Abinesh Nadarajan
  • Surender Gill 8 – 4 Abinesh Nadarajan
  • Guman Singh 6 – 2 Abinesh Nadarajan
  • Gagan Gowda 5 – 1 Gaurav Khatri

Puneri Paltan’s Raiders vs UP Yoddhas’ Defenders

  • Aslam Inamdar 5 – 2 Sumit
  • Aslam Inamdar 2 – 0 Hitesh
  • Pankaj Mohite 7 – 0 Hitesh
  • Pankaj Mohite 2 – 1 Sumit

What to Expect

Expect a battle of raiders vs defenders in Vizag. Gagan Gowda will look to continue his rich form for UP Yoddhas, while Aslam Inamdar and Aditya Shinde will spearhead Pune’s attack. Sumit’s defensive leadership could be the key to stopping Pune’s trio, while Puneri Paltan’s defence will aim to recover after a tough outing. With both teams desperate to steady their campaigns, this could be a tight, high-scoring contest.

Match Details

  • Match: UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan – Match 26, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Wednesday, 10th September 2025
  • Time: 9:00 PM IST
  • Venue: Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag
  • 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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