The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 continues with Match 16 as defending champions Haryana Steelers face UP Yoddhas at the Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag, tonight at 9:00 PM IST. Both teams are looking to build momentum after contrasting starts to the season.

Haryana Steelers bounced back from an opening defeat to claim a thrilling tie-breaker victory over U Mumba, whilst UP Yoddhas have made an excellent start with two wins from two matches. This encounter promises to be a tactical battle between Naveen Kumar's raiding brilliance and Sumit's defensive mastery.

Probable Starting 7

Haryana Steelers

  • Right Corner: Rahul Sethpal
  • Right In: Shivam Patare
  • Right Cover: Neeraj
  • Centre: Naveen Kumar
  • Left Cover: Jaideep (C)
  • Left In: Vinay
  • Left Corner: Rahul Ahri

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)

Headlines

  • Naveen Express set to power Haryana Steelers' charge after brilliant tie-breaker display.
  • UP Yoddhas out for revenge following PKL 11 semifinal heartbreak against the champions.
  • Haryana bank on support raiders Vinay and Shivam Patare to ease the burden on Naveen.
  • Sumit's defensive wall could define Yoddhas' chances against the star-studded Steelers attack.
  • Yoddhas' raiders look to outgun Haryana's defence as Gagan Gowda continues impressive form.

Top Stories of the Match

Naveen Express Set to Power Haryana Steelers' Charge

Naveen Kumar, fondly known as the Naveen Express, will be looking to continue his momentum after a dazzling performance against U Mumba. After managing only 2 points in the opening defeat to Bengal Warriorz, Naveen roared back with 9 raid points from 16 raids in the tie-breaker victory, helping the champions claim their first win.

The superstar raider brings an incredible pedigree to Vizag. A two-time MVP (PKL 7 & 8) and PKL 8 champion with Dabang Delhi K.C., Naveen holds several prestigious records. He remains the fastest player to reach 1,000 raid points in PKL history, achieving the milestone in just 90 matches. With 66 Super 10s to his name, he ranks fourth all-time, whilst his 281 bonus points place him fourth in that category as well.

Naveen has historically performed well against UP Yoddhas, scoring 89 raid points in 9 matches at an average of 9.8 points per game with a solid 58% strike rate.

UP Yoddhas Out for Revenge for PKL 11 Semifinal Heartbreak

UP Yoddhas enter this clash with revenge on their minds after their semifinal defeat to Haryana Steelers in PKL 11. The Yoddhas had enjoyed a stellar regular season, winning 13 matches and reaching the playoffs on a 10-match unbeaten streak. However, their title dreams were crushed by these very opponents in a heartbreaking 28-25 semifinal defeat.

This season, UP Yoddhas have made an impressive start with victories over Telugu Titans (40-35) and Patna Pirates (34-31). Their raiding unit, which averaged 20.3 points per game in PKL 11 (third-best), has continued that form with 24 raid points in their opener.

The Yoddhas boast a formidable raiding core featuring Gagan Gowda, who has been their standout performer with 21 raid points from 2 matches at an impressive 78% strike rate. Supporting him are experienced campaigners Guman Singh (567 career raid points), Surender Gill (530 points), and Bhavani Rajput (310 points).

Haryana Bank on Support Raiders to Ease Burden on Naveen

The defending champions will rely heavily on their supporting cast to complement Naveen's brilliance. Vinay and Shivam Patare, who were instrumental in PKL 11's title triumph, have made strong starts to the new season. In their opening loss to Bengal Warriorz, both raiders stepped up magnificently - Shivam scored 17 points whilst Vinay contributed 13, more than compensating for Naveen's rare off day.

Vinay, who leads Haryana's all-time raid charts with 557 points, has been remarkably consistent, scoring 150+ points in each of the last two seasons. Shivam Patare, approaching a milestone of 300 career raid points (currently on 297), brings additional firepower to the Steelers' attack.

Against UP Yoddhas specifically, this duo has proven effective. Vinay has scored 51 points in 9 encounters, whilst Shivam has managed 28 points across 5 matches.

Sumit's Defensive Wall Key to Yoddhas' Chances

UP Yoddhas captain Sumit will be crucial to containing the Haryana attack. The defensive stalwart put in a captain's performance in their opener against Telugu Titans, claiming 8 tackle points from 10 attempts at an 80% success rate.

Sumit's credentials are impeccable. With 339 tackle points for UP Yoddhas, he holds the second-highest tally for any defender with a single team in PKL history. His consistency is remarkable - he has achieved 50+ tackle points in five consecutive seasons, the second-best run by any defender.

The skipper has a decent record against Haryana Steelers, averaging 2.9 tackle points across 11 meetings. However, he'll need support from teammates like Hitesh, who was the fifth-best defender in PKL 11 with 74 tackle points, and Ashu Singh, who has made a perfect start with 7 points from 7 attempts this season.

Team Stories

Haryana Steelers – Champions Finding Their Rhythm

The defending champions endured a rocky start to their title defence, losing 54-44 to Bengal Warriorz in their opener. Devank's raiding masterclass exposed their defensive vulnerabilities, whilst Naveen struggled to impose himself on the contest.

However, the tie-breaker victory over U Mumba showcased the champions' fighting spirit. Naveen rediscovered his touch with 9 raid points, brilliantly supported by Vinay (8 points) and Shivam Patare (6 points). The defensive unit, led by Captain Jaideep, also contributed crucial points when needed.

Sitting with one win from two matches, Haryana will be keen to build consistency and prove their title credentials against quality opposition.

UP Yoddhas – Perfect Start and Semifinal Revenge

UP Yoddhas couldn't have asked for a better start to PKL 12. Their 40-35 victory over Telugu Titans was built on Gagan Gowda's brilliant 14-point haul, supported by Guman Singh's 7 points. The defensive unit, marshalled by Sumit's 8-point display, provided the perfect platform.

Their second victory over Patna Pirates was equally impressive, with Gagan Gowda again leading the charge alongside contributions from Bhavani Rajput and Shivam Choudhary. Sumit continued his excellent form, adding 5 more tackle points to his tally.

Sitting pretty at the top half of the table with two wins from two, the Yoddhas will view this encounter as the perfect opportunity to exact revenge for last season's semifinal heartbreak whilst maintaining their perfect record.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: 13 Matches → Haryana Steelers 6 | UP Yoddhas 5 | Tied 2

Recent Form: The teams have alternated victories in recent seasons, with their most significant encounter being the PKL 11 semifinal, where Haryana prevailed 28-25.

Last 5 Meetings:

  • PKL 11 Semifinal: Haryana Steelers 28-25 UP Yoddhas
  • PKL 11 M#117: UP Yoddhas 31-24 Haryana Steelers
  • PKL 11 M#26: Haryana Steelers 30-28 UP Yoddhas
  • PKL 10 M#112: Haryana Steelers 50-34 UP Yoddhas
  • PKL 10 M#9: UP Yoddhas 57-27 Haryana Steelers

What to Expect

  • Raiding masterclass: Naveen Kumar's experience against UP Yoddhas' multi-faceted attack led by Gagan Gowda.
  • Defensive battle: Sumit's consistency against Jaideep's leadership in the defensive third.
  • Supporting cast impact: How Vinay and Shivam Patare fare against UP Yoddhas' defensive depth.
  • Revenge factor: Can UP Yoddhas maintain their perfect start whilst settling the semifinal score?

Match Details

Match: Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas
Tournament: Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 – Match 16
Date: Friday, September 5, 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.

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

Related tags:

U.P. YoddhaHaryana SteelersPro Kabaddi League Season 12, 2025 FeaturesNewsMatch PreviewsEnglish