Two teams coming off disappointing defeats clash in Match 62 of PKL 12 as ninth-placed Tamil Thalaivas host fifth-placed Haryana Steelers. Arjun Deshwal's inconsistent form meets the experienced defensive duo of Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep, whilst Nitesh Kumar's outstanding run of three consecutive High 5s faces the emerging raiding partnership of Shivam Patare and Vinay in a battle where both sides desperately need victory.

Probable Starting 7

Tamil Thalaivas

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

Haryana Steelers

  • Right Corner – Rahul Sethpal
  • Right In – Shivam Patare
  • Right Cover – Neeraj
  • Centre – Vishal Tate
  • Left Cover – Jaideep ©
  • Left In – Vinay
  • Left Corner – Hardeep

Headlines

➢ Both teams coming off losses in their last games
➢ Tamil Thalaivas struggling with 4 defeats in last 5 matches, sitting in 9th position
➢ Arjun Deshwal seeking consistency after managing just 2 raid points against U Mumba
➢ Nitesh Kumar in phenomenal form with 3 consecutive High 5s
➢ Tamil Thalaivas boasting third-best defence in the league
➢ Haryana Steelers reeling from back-to-back 1-point defeats but remain in 5th place
➢ Shivam Patare and Vinay forming formidable raiding partnership as Steelers possess second-best raiding unit
➢ Veterans Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep in prime form as Steelers maintain fourth-best average tackle points

Top Stories of the Match

Arjun Deshwal Takes On In-Form Veteran Pair of Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep

Arjun Deshwal's season has been characterised by frustrating inconsistency despite maintaining respectable overall numbers. His 96 raid points in 10 matches (9.6 average at 51% success rate) with 6 Super 10s demonstrates quality, yet his average has dipped below the 10-point mark that defined his previous campaigns.

The recent performances reveal alarming volatility – twice in his last three matches managing just 2 raid points across entire games, raising serious concerns about reliability when his team needs him most.

Recent form exposes troubling pattern:

  • vs U Mumba (M#58): 2 raid points at 15% SR
  • vs Jaipur Pink Panthers (M#52): 13 raid points at 48% SR
  • vs UP Yoddhas (M#46): 2 raid points at 15% SR
  • vs Haryana Steelers (M#44): 13 raid points at 68% SR
  • vs Telugu Titans (M#42): 7 raid points at 47% SR

Only one match in his last five produced success rate above 50%, coincidentally coming in the previous encounter against these same opponents. That Super 10 performance offers hope for redemption.

Historical excellence against Haryana Steelers provides encouragement:

Overall record: 129 raid points in 12 matches (10.8 average, 61% SR, 7 Super 10s)

This outstanding record suggests psychological advantage, having consistently troubled the Steelers' defence throughout his career.

Team performance directly correlates with his output:

  • In wins (4 matches): 55 raid points (13.8 average, 58% SR)
  • In losses (6 matches): 41 raid points (6.8 average, 44% SR)

The stark difference demonstrates his importance – when Arjun performs, Tamil Thalaivas win; when he struggles, defeats follow inevitably.

Situational analysis reveals tactical vulnerabilities:

By Defenders in Play (DIP):

  • 6-7 defenders: 63 points at 66% SR
  • 4-5 defenders: 17 points at 32% SR
  • 2-3 defenders: 14 points at 37% SR

His inability to succeed in super tackle scenarios (37% success rate) represents significant weakness that experienced defenders can exploit ruthlessly.

Formidable challenge awaits against in-form Haryana Steelers defence:

Haryana Steelers defence in PKL 12: 109 tackle points in 10 matches (10.9 average at 42% SR)

Defensive performance splits reveal importance:

  • In wins (6 matches): 76 tackle points (12.7 average, 48% SR)
  • In losses (4 matches): 33 tackle points (8.3 average, 34% SR)

When the defence performs, Haryana Steelers win consistently.

Critical weakness emerges in final 10 minutes:

Lowest tackle success rates in 31-40 minutes (PKL 12):

  • Dabang Delhi: 29%
  • Patna Pirates: 30%
  • Haryana Steelers: 36%

This late-game vulnerability has proven costly – back-to-back 1-point defeats stemming partly from defensive lapses when matches hang in balance.

Veteran duo anchoring defensive excellence:

  • Jaideep: 32 tackle points (3.2 average, 63% SR)
  • Rahul Sethpal: 31 tackle points (3.1 average, 57% SR)

Both defenders have secured High 5s in their last two matches – Rahul Sethpal with 6 tackle points at 67% success rate against Jaipur Pink Panthers in M#57, whilst Jaideep recorded perfect 7 tackle points at 100% success rate against Dabang Delhi in M#54.

Time-wise performance patterns reveal strengths and weaknesses:

  • Jaideep – 21-30 minutes: 85% SR | 31-40 minutes: 50% SR
  • Rahul Sethpal – 21-30 minutes: 75% SR | 31-40 minutes: 47% SR

Both defenders dominate third quarters before struggling in final 10 minutes – precisely when Arjun's clutch ability could prove decisive.

Historical dominance over Tamil Thalaivas provides psychological edge:

  • Jaideep vs Tamil Thalaivas (overall): 28 tackle points in 8 matches (3.5 average, 55% SR, 3 High 5s)
  • Rahul Sethpal vs Tamil Thalaivas (overall): 27 tackle points in 7 matches (3.9 average, 68% SR, 3 High 5s)

Both defenders have consistently troubled Thalaivas raiders throughout their careers, creating formidable barrier for Arjun to overcome.

Team Stories

Tamil Thalaivas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#58 vs U Mumba – Lost 24–42 (devastating 18-point defeat)
  • M#52 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 37–28 (9-point victory)
  • M#46 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 22–39 (disappointing 17-point thrashing)
  • M#45 vs Patna Pirates – Lost 36–38 (heartbreaking 2-point defeat)
  • M#42 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 29–43 (demoralising 14-point loss)

Tamil Thalaivas' season has descended into crisis. After promising beginnings, four defeats in their last five matches have sent them plummeting to ninth position, desperately fighting to salvage playoff qualification hopes.

Three double-digit defeats during this spell reveal fundamental issues beyond mere inconsistency – systematic failures in both attack and defence when facing quality opposition.

Arjun Deshwal's unreliability compounds problems, whilst secondary raiders provide insufficient support. Rohit Beniwal showed encouraging signs against U Mumba, potentially earning starting selection for this crucial encounter.

Nitesh Kumar's phenomenal defensive form – three consecutive High 5s despite team struggles – represents the solitary bright spot, maintaining Thalaivas amongst league's defensive elite despite overall poor results.

Nitesh Kumar in Outstanding Form with 3 Consecutive High 5s

The left corner defender has emerged as PKL 12's most consistent defensive performer, producing extraordinary displays even as his team crumbles around him. His recent three-match sequence demonstrates world-class excellence:

  • vs U Mumba (M#58): 7 tackles, 5 tackle points at 71% SR
  • vs Jaipur Pink Panthers (M#52): 7 tackles, 7 tackle points at 100% SR
  • vs UP Yoddhas (M#46): 11 tackles, 7 tackle points at 64% SR

His brilliance has established Tamil Thalaivas as PKL 12's third-best defensive unit despite recent struggles.

Best average tackle points in PKL 12:

  • Puneri Paltan: 12.1 average (47% SR)
  • U Mumba: 11.5 average (44% SR)
  • Tamil Thalaivas: 11.2 average (45% SR)

Performance splits reveal inconsistency across team:

  • Tamil Thalaivas defence – In wins (4 matches): 56 tackle points (14.0 average, 52% SR)
  • Tamil Thalaivas defence – In losses (6 matches): 56 tackle points (9.3 average, 40% SR)

When defence performs, victories follow; when struggling, defeats accumulate rapidly.

Individual brilliance leading league statistics:

Most tackle points in PKL 12:

  • Nitesh Kumar: 38 points (59% SR)
  • Gaurav Khatri: 36 points (66% SR)
  • Sumit: 33 points (64% SR)

His emergence as the league's leading defender represents remarkable achievement for player in team struggling so significantly.

Ronak's assists provide crucial support:

Most assists in PKL 12:

  • Ronak: 44
  • Satyappa Matti: 40
  • Abinesh Nadarajan: 37

The right cover's support play creates opportunities for tackles, forming effective partnership with Nitesh Kumar.

Consistency across all game situations:

By Defenders in Play (DIP):

  • 6-7 defenders: 18 points at 53% SR
  • 4-5 defenders: 16 points at 67% SR
  • 2-3 defenders: 4 points at 67% SR

His ability to deliver across all tactical scenarios demonstrates complete mastery, providing reliability when team desperately needs leadership.

Haryana Steelers – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#57 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Lost 36–37 (agonising 1-point defeat)
  • M#54 vs Dabang Delhi – Lost 37–38 (heartbreaking 1-point loss)
  • M#44 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Won 38–36 (narrow 2-point victory)
  • M#42 vs Puneri Paltan – Won 34–30 (solid 4-point triumph)
  • M#38 vs Patna Pirates – Won 43–32 (dominant 11-point demolition)

The defending champions will be devastated after consecutive 1-point defeats snatched victory from their grasp. Both matches went down to final raids, where small margins proved decisive against determined opponents.

Following opening defeat, Haryana Steelers had completely transformed their season with four consecutive victories, establishing championship credentials before recent setbacks exposed vulnerabilities in clutch moments.

They could easily be riding six-match winning streak if few tactical decisions had fallen differently, demonstrating quality remains intact despite disappointing results.

The emergence of Shivam Patare and Vinay as formidable raiding partnership following Naveen's injury has maintained attacking potency, whilst Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep's veteran excellence preserves defensive solidity.

Shivam Patare and Vinay Form Great 1-2 Punch in Raiding

Following Naveen's season-ending injury, questions surrounded Haryana Steelers' attacking capabilities. The emergence of Shivam Patare and Vinay as effective partnership has emphatically answered critics.

League's second-best raiding unit:

Best average raid points in PKL 12:

  • Bengal Warriorz: 26.9 average (64% SR)
  • Haryana Steelers: 22.9 average (55% SR)
  • Patna Pirates: 22.8 average (55% SR)

Their combined excellence provides platform for Steelers' championship defence despite losing their star raider.

Previous encounter demonstrated partnership potential:

vs Tamil Thalaivas (M#44): Combined for 16 raid points

Shivam Patare particularly impressed with 9 raid points at phenomenal 90% success rate, troubling Thalaivas defence relentlessly and creating foundation for narrow victory.

Vinay arrives in sensational form:

Last 2 matches: 29 raid points (14.5 average at 71% SR) with 2 Super 10s

Back-to-back Super 10s demonstrate extraordinary confidence, establishing him as genuine match-winner capable of carrying team through difficult periods.

Season statistics reveal balanced contributions:

  • Vinay: 85 raid points in 9 matches (9.4 average, 55% SR, 4 Super 10s)
  • Shivam Patare: 79 raid points in 10 matches (7.9 average, 61% SR, 2 Super 10s)

Both raiders averaging significant points whilst maintaining respectable success rates creates formidable attacking unit.

Vinay's time-wise patterns reveal tactical preferences:

Raiding by intervals (PKL 12):

  • 1-10 minutes: 34 points at 71% SR
  • 11-20 minutes: 9 points at 35% SR
  • 21-30 minutes: 12 points at 35% SR
  • 31-40 minutes: 30 points at 65% SR

Excellent at match beginnings and endings but struggles during middle periods – tactical intelligence required for optimal deployment.

Shivam Patare's consistency across all situations:

By Defenders in Play (DIP):

  • 6-7 defenders: 51 points at 69% SR
  • 4-5 defenders: 19 points at 46% SR (3rd best in league)
  • 2-3 defenders: 9 points at 64% SR

His 46% success rate with 4-5 defenders represents third-best performance amongst all raiders with minimum 10 raid points in those situations, demonstrating exceptional tactical awareness.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 14 | Tamil Thalaivas – 2 | Haryana Steelers – 9 | Tied – 3

The historical record overwhelmingly favours Haryana Steelers, who have dominated this fixture with nine victories from fourteen encounters.

Since PKL 9: Matches – 7 | Tamil Thalaivas – 0 | Haryana Steelers – 7

Recent dominance has been absolute – Haryana Steelers undefeated in seven consecutive matches since PKL 9. Tamil Thalaivas' last victory came in PKL 8, highlighting their struggles against defending champions.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • M#44 PKL 12: Tamil Thalaivas 36–38 Haryana Steelers (2-point defeat)
  • M#83 PKL 11: Tamil Thalaivas 30–42 Haryana Steelers (12-point defeat)
  • M#59 PKL 11: Tamil Thalaivas 29–36 Haryana Steelers (7-point defeat)
  • M#71 PKL 10: Tamil Thalaivas 31–36 Haryana Steelers (5-point defeat)
  • M#41 PKL 10: Tamil Thalaivas 29–42 Haryana Steelers (13-point defeat)

Earlier this season's closely contested 2-point thriller saw Arjun Deshwal produce Super 10 that proved insufficient as Shivam Patare (90% raid SR) and Vinay combined for 16 raid points to seal victory.

Key Player Battles

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiders vs Haryana Steelers' Defenders

Arjun Deshwal 13–1 Jaideep
 Arjun Deshwal 11–5 Rahul Sethpal

Haryana Steelers' Raiders vs Tamil Thalaivas' Defenders

Shivam Patare 4–4 Nitesh Kumar (evenly matched)
Vinay 5–3 Nitesh Kumar

What to Expect

This encounter promises fascinating tactical battle between team in crisis seeking revival and defending champions desperate to end disappointing losing streak. Tamil Thalaivas' defensive excellence meets Haryana Steelers' balanced attacking prowess in match both sides simply must win.

Arjun Deshwal's quest for consistency against Rahul Sethpal and Jaideep's veteran mastery will likely prove decisive, whilst Nitesh Kumar's phenomenal form faces stern examination against Vinay's clutch brilliance.

The historical dominance favouring Haryana Steelers creates psychological pressure on Tamil Thalaivas, who haven't defeated these opponents since PKL 8. Breaking seven-match losing streak requires exceptional performance across all departments.

Expect closely contested affair where Haryana Steelers' experience in tight situations provides marginal advantage, though Tamil Thalaivas' desperation combined with Nitesh Kumar's defensive excellence could spring surprise.

Match Details

  • Match: Tamil Thalaivas vs Haryana Steelers – Match 62, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Friday, 3rd October 2025
  • Time: 9:00 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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