Telugu Titans face the ultimate test as they take on the only unbeaten side in PKL 12 – Dabang Delhi K.C. – in Match 37 at the SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur. Both sides are coached by familiar faces to each other, with former Delhi stalwart Ashu Malik leading the line for the capital side against his former coach Krishan Hooda.

Probable Starting 7

Telugu Titans

  • Right Corner – Shubham Shinde
  • Right In – Bharat
  • Right Cover – Avi Duhan
  • Centre – Chetan Sahu
  • Left Cover – Ajit Pawar
  • Left In – Vijay Malik (C)
  • Left Corner – Ankit

Dabang Delhi K.C.

  • Right Corner – Saurabh Nandal
  • Right In – Ajinkya Pawar
  • Right Cover – Surjeet Singh
  • Centre – Ashu Malik (C)
  • Left Cover – Sandeep
  • Left In – Neeraj Narwal
  • Left Corner – Fazel Atrachali

Headlines

➢ Agent Ashu takes on former coach Krishan Hooda in a fascinating tactical battle
 ➢ Ashu Malik and Vijay Malik – former teammates, now opposite team captains
 ➢ Dabang Delhi K.C. in unstoppable form, the only team yet to lose a match in PKL 12
 ➢ Veteran defenders, mainly Fazel, coming good for Delhi
 ➢ Telugu Titans coming off a close loss, but will be overall happy with howthe season is going
 ➢ Vijay Malik and Bharat have formed a dynamic raiding duo for the Titans

Top Stories of the Match

Can Telugu Titans Change Course to Stop Dabang Delhi K.C.'s Winning Streak?

Dabang Delhi K.C. have established themselves as early contenders for this season's title, winning all five of their opening matches. They've been becoming better and better as the season progresses, winning their last two games by double-digit margins whilst every other team has suffered at least two losses.

Telugu Titans have surprised the league with their impressive performances this year, sitting in 5th place and firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. They have a golden opportunity to become the first team to beat Dabang Delhi K.C. this season.

However, they'll need to overturn a woeful historical record against Delhi. The Titans have lost 11 consecutive matches to Dabang Delhi K.C. since PKL 6, with their last victory coming way back in PKL 5. Since PKL 6, Delhi have a perfect 100% win record against the Titans.

Agent Ashu Malik Takes On Former Coach – Krishan Hooda

Ashu Malik has been in scintillating form to start the season, registering Super 10s in all five matches so far. He boasts the second-best average raid points per match in the entire league (15.0), trailing only Devank (15.5).

The Delhi captain excels in both halves but is particularly lethal in the first half, where he maintains a 70% raid strike rate compared to 55% in the second half. His game management in the latter stages sees him control proceedings with calculated empty raids.

Malik has already proven himself in clutch moments, leading the league with 14 Do-or-Die raid points at an extraordinary 140% strike rate. His mastery in pressure situations could prove decisive.

The intriguing subplot involves Malik facing his former mentor Krishan Hooda, who coached him during his breakthrough seasons at Delhi. Hooda transformed Dabang Delhi K.C. from perennial strugglers to title contenders during his tenure (PKL 6-9), achieving four consecutive playoff appearances, two finals, and one championship.

Now at Telugu Titans, Hooda is working his magic again, lifting them from bottom-dwellers to playoff contenders. Adding to the narrative, former Delhi teammate Vijay Malik now captains the Titans, forming a formidable partnership with Bharat in the raiding department.

Vijay Malik has had a solid start to the season, ranking joint-third in the league for bonus points (24) alongside his former teammate Ashu. He's most effective when facing full defensive lines (6-7 defenders), where he operates at a 59% strike rate.

Bharat complements Malik perfectly, excelling in super tackle situations and boasting an impressive 74% strike rate against Delhi in nine previous encounters, having secured four Super 10s against them.

Team Stories

Telugu Titans – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#34 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 32–34 (heartbreaking 2-point defeat)
  • M#32 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 33–39
  • M#25 vs U Mumba – Won 45–37
  • M#19 vs Bengal Warriorz – Won 44–34
  • M#13 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 37–32
  • M#3 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 35–40
  • M#1 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Lost 35–38

After dropping their opening two matches, Telugu Titans bounced back brilliantly with three consecutive victories before suffering back-to-back defeats. Despite the recent setbacks, they remain in playoff contention at 5th place.

Captain Vijay Malik has shouldered responsibility admirably, combining effectively with Bharat to lead the raiding unit. The duo has contributed 122 raid points between them this season.

Titans Defence Doing Well, Needs a Consistent Lead Defender

The Titans have significantly improved defensively compared to last season when they finished dead last with fewer than 10 tackle points per game. This season, they're averaging over 10 tackle points per match, ranking 7th in the league.

However, consistency remains an issue. Their worst defensive display came in the last match against Bengaluru Bulls, managing only 6 tackle points at a dismal 24% success rate.

All four main defenders have double-digit tackle points this season:

  • Ajit Pawar: 14 tackle points (2.0 average, 52% SR)
  • Ankit: 14 tackle points (2.0 average, 42% SR)
  • Avi Duhan: 13 tackle points (2.2 average, 54% SR)
  • Shubham Shinde: 11 tackle points (1.6 average, 38% SR)

The concerning area is their performance with 4-5 defenders on the mat, where they rank among the bottom four teams with just a 39% tackle success rate.

Dabang Delhi K.C. – PKL 12 So Far

Perfect Record:

  • M#28 vs Gujarat Giants – Won 38–28
  • M#23 vs Bengal Warriorz – Won 45–34
  • M#20 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 36–35
  • M#14 vs Puneri Paltan – Won 28–28 (Golden Raid)
  • M#9 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won 41–34

Dabang Delhi K.C.'s perfect start to the season makes them the only unbeaten team in PKL 12. Their success stems from captain Ashu Malik's consistency (five consecutive Super 10s) and the resurgence of their veteran defensive core.

Sultan Fazel Atrachali Leading the Delhi Defence

The legendary defender showed he's still among the elite with a magnificent High 5 against his former team, the Gujarat Giants, in the last match. That performance made him the joint-holder of most High 5s in PKL history (34), level with teammate Surjeet Singh.

Fazel's achievements speak volumes:

  • Two-time PKL Champion (PKL 2 with U Mumba, PKL 4 with Patna Pirates)
  • Only defender with 500+ tackle points in PKL history
  • Eight consecutive seasons with 50+ tackle points (PKL 4-11)

This season, he's averaging 3.0 tackle points per match at a 53% success rate, ranking among the top six defenders in the league.

The Delhi defence has been consistent, recording 10+ tackle points in four of their five matches. Saurabh Nandal has provided excellent support at right corner (2.6 average tackle points, 59% SR), though Surjeet Singh has struggled early on (1.6 average, 25% SR).

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 20 | Telugu Titans – 8 | Dabang Delhi K.C. – 11 | Tied – 1

The head-to-head tale has two distinct chapters. Until PKL 5, Dabang Delhi K.C. never defeated Telugu Titans, with the Titans winning eight and drawing one in their first nine encounters.

However, since PKL 6, Dabang Delhi K.C. have been dominant, winning 11 consecutive matches. The Titans' last victory over Delhi came in PKL 5.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • PKL 11 M#107: Delhi won 33–27
  • PKL 11 M#18: Delhi won 41–37
  • PKL 10 M#103: Delhi won 44–33
  • PKL 10 M#26: Delhi won 51–40
  • PKL 9 M#67: Delhi won 40–33

Key Player Battles

Telugu Titans' Raiders vs Dabang Delhi K.C.'s Defenders

  • Vijay Malik 1–3 Surjeet Singh
  • Vijay Malik 11–6 Saurabh Nandal
  • Vijay Malik 10–4 Fazel Atrachali
  • Bharat 4–2 Surjeet Singh
  • Bharat 5–2 Fazel Atrachali

Dabang Delhi K.C.'s Raiders vs Telugu Titans' Defenders

  • Ashu Malik 8–10 Shubham Shinde
  • Ashu Malik 5–1 Ankit
  • Ajinkya Pawar 6–4 Shubham Shinde
  • Ajinkya Pawar 3–4 Ajit Pawar

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a tactical masterclass between two accomplished coaches who know each other inside out. Delhi's perfect record will face its sternest test against a Titans side desperate to end its painful losing streak against the capital outfit.

The key battle lies in whether Telugu Titans' improving defence can contain the in-form Ashu Malik, whilst their dynamic raiding duo of Vijay Malik and Bharat will need to breach Delhi's veteran-laden defensive wall.

Expect a closely contested affair where experience could prove decisive in the crucial moments.

Match Details

  • Match: Telugu Titans vs Dabang Delhi K.C. – Match 37, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Wednesday, 17th September 2025
  • Time: 7:30 PM IST
  • Venue: SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur
  • 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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