UP Yoddhas face Patna Pirates in Match 68 of PKL 12 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai. Two teams mired in crisis meet with starkly contrasting objectives – the Yoddhas (9th position, 4 wins in 11 matches) desperately need victory to revive playoff hopes, whilst the bottom-placed Pirates (2 wins in 9 matches) are fighting for survival.

Probable Starting 7

UP Yoddhas

  • Right Corner – Hitesh
  • Right In – Bhavani Rajput
  • Right Cover – Ashu Singh
  • Centre – Shivam Chaudhary
  • Left Cover – Mahender Singh
  • Left In – Gagan Gowda
  • Left Corner – Sumit (C)

Patna Pirates

  • Right Corner – Hamid Mirzaeinader
  • Right In – Maninder Singh
  • Right Cover – Deepak Singh
  • Centre – Sudhakar M
  • Left Cover – Balaji D
  • Left In – Ayan
  • Left Corner – Ankit (C)

Headlines

➢ Yoddhas raiding unit overly reliant on Gagan Gowda

➢ Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh need to step up

➢ Yoddhas defence not in sync – Sumit needs support

➢ Pirates' defence not able to withstand the raiding onslaught

➢ Ayan fighting alone with meagre support

Top Stories of the Match

Yoddhas Raiding Unit Overly Reliant on Gagan Gowda

UP Yoddhas' raiding structure remains dangerously dependent on Gagan Gowda's individual brilliance, with the star raider contributing 43% of the team's total raid points this season (101 of 233 points). This over-reliance was brutally exposed in their last match against Telugu Titans, where Gagan's uncharacteristic failure – managing just 1 raid point and 2 tackle points – left the Yoddhas helpless despite improved performances from Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh.

Bhavani Rajput rose magnificently to the challenge in Gagan's absence, producing his best performance of the season with 16 raid points from 21 raids at 76% strike rate against the Titans. Guman Singh also contributed 9 points, offering hope that the supporting cast can occasionally deliver when required.

However, the stark statistical reality reveals the problem's severity. Gagan averages 9.2 raid points at 69% strike rate, whilst the rest of the raiding unit combined averages just 12 points at 47% strike rate. This imbalance has left Yoddhas averaging 21.2 raid points per match at 50% strike rate – respectable numbers that mask the precarious foundation upon which they're built.

Most raid points for UP Yoddhas in PKL 12:

  • Gagan Gowda: 101 points (9.2 average, 69% SR)
  • Bhavani Rajput: 59 points (5.4 average, 45% SR)
  • Guman Singh: 36 points (4.0 average, 46% SR)

Gagan's credentials place him amongst PKL 12's elite. His 69% strike rate ranks joint-third amongst raiders with 75+ points, level with Aditya Shinde and trailing only Devank (76%) and ahead of Ayan (68%). Last season too, he maintained an impressive 70% strike rate, demonstrating sustained excellence.

His proficiency in collecting bonus points has been exceptional – Gagan leads all raiders in PKL 12 with 50 bonus points, narrowly ahead of Devank (49) and comfortably clear of Vijay Malik (43). This skill has proven invaluable when facing tight defences.

Gagan's consistency across match intervals reveals remarkable reliability. His strike rates by phase demonstrate sustained effectiveness: 56% (1-10 mins, 22 points), 67% (11-20 mins, 24 points), 51% (21-30 mins, 18 points), and an extraordinary 100% (31-40 mins, 37 points). The final interval strike rate is unmatched in PKL 12, showcasing his ability to finish matches strongly.

Against Patna Pirates specifically, Gagan maintains positive records, having scored 32 raid points in 5 matches at 6.4 average with 67% strike rate and one Super 10. Given the Pirates' defensive struggles – they possess the lowest tackle points (73) and second-lowest tackle strike rate (33%) in the league – this fixture presents an ideal opportunity for Gagan to rediscover his form.

For UP Yoddhas to harbour genuine playoff aspirations, Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh must consistently replicate their Telugu Titans performances rather than producing isolated flashes of competence.

Yoddhas Defence Not in Sync – Sumit Needs Support

UP Yoddhas' defensive woes have plunged deeper into crisis, with consecutive zero-point performances from captain Sumit symbolising the unit's alarming regression. After establishing himself as one of the season's most consistent defenders, Sumit has suffered back-to-back blanks in crucial matches against Dabang Delhi and Telugu Titans.

The Yoddhas' defensive statistics paint a grim picture. They possess the third-lowest tackle strike rate (37%) in PKL 12, averaging just 8.9 tackle points per match. Their struggles have directly correlated with results – in their three consecutive defeats, the defence has been systematically dismantled.

Sumit's last 5 matches:

  • M#65 vs Telugu Titans: 0 tackle points from 1 tackle at 0% SR
  • M#61 vs Dabang Delhi: 0 tackle points from 4 tackles at 0% SR
  • M#53 vs Gujarat Giants: 4 tackle points from 5 tackles at 80% SR
  • M#49 vs Bengaluru Bulls: 4 tackle points from 5 tackles at 80% SR
  • M#46 vs Tamil Thalaivas: 5 tackle points from 6 tackles at 83% SR

Prior to the recent collapse, Sumit had been exceptional, maintaining tackle strike rates exceeding 80% in three of five matches. His overall season statistics – 33 tackle points at 3.0 average with 58% strike rate and three High 5s in 11 matches – demonstrate his capability when functioning properly.

Sumit's preferred techniques this season – ankle hold (8 skill points), thigh hold (7), and block (7) – have proven effective when he's in rhythm. Against Patna Pirates in the reverse fixture, he scored 5 tackle points from 7 tackles at 71% strike rate – his second-best performance in PKL 12, trailing only his 8-point masterclass against Telugu Titans.

The critical problem lies in the lack of support. Ashu Singh has contributed 26 tackle points at 2.3 average with 56% strike rate, whilst Hitesh has managed 21 points at 1.9 average with 33% strike rate. However, Mahender Singh's struggles (12 points at 1.0 average with 29% strike rate) have left the defence vulnerable to sustained raiding pressure.

Against Patna Pirates' relatively weak raiding unit – Ayan aside – the Yoddhas defence must rediscover their earlier season form. If Sumit can return to the consistency shown in matches 46, 49, and 53, UP Yoddhas possess sufficient defensive capability to contain the Pirates.

Pirates' Defence Unable to Withstand the Raiding Onslaught

Patna Pirates' defensive collapse represents their season's defining catastrophe. With just 73 tackle points in 9 matches at 8.1 average with 33% strike rate, they possess the lowest tackle points and second-lowest strike rate in the entire league, ahead of only Bengal Warriorz (29% strike rate).

The contrast between victories and defeats reveals the defence's central importance to results. In their two wins, the Pirates averaged 12 tackle points from 52 tackles at 46% strike rate. In their seven defeats, these numbers plummeted to 7 average tackle points from 167 tackles at 29% strike rate – a collapse that has proven insurmountable even when Ayan delivers match-winning raiding performances.

Only two High 5s have been recorded by Pirates defenders in nine matches – both from captain Ankit, who has emerged as the unit's sole consistent performer. His 25 tackle points at 2.8 average with 48% strike rate in 9 matches represent respectable numbers, particularly given the chaos surrounding him.

Patna Pirates' defence in PKL 12:

  • Ankit: 25 tackle points (2.8 average, 48% SR, 2 High 5s)
  • Navdeep: 17 tackle points (2.1 average, 38% SR)
  • Deepak Singh: 12 tackle points (1.3 average, 29% SR)
  • Sanket Sawant: 5 tackle points (0.6 average, 19% SR)

Sanket Sawant's 19% strike rate represents the league's worst amongst regular defenders, whilst Deepak Singh's 29% isn't significantly better. This defensive frailty has placed enormous pressure on Ayan to score match-winning raid totals repeatedly – an unrealistic burden even for elite raiders.

Against UP Yoddhas specifically, the Pirates' defensive record offers little encouragement. In their recent encounters, Yoddhas raiders have consistently exploited the Pirates' vulnerabilities, with Gagan Gowda, Bhavani Rajput, and Guman Singh all maintaining positive head-to-head records against Patna's defenders.

For Patna Pirates to secure victory, their defence must produce their best collective performance of the season – at least 10+ tackle points at 40%+ strike rate. Anything less will likely prove insufficient, regardless of Ayan's individual heroics.

Ayan Fighting Alone with Meagre Support

Ayan has been Patna Pirates' solitary beacon of excellence, producing performances that deserve far better support and results. The young sensation has accumulated 104 raid points at 11.6 average with 68% strike rate and five Super 10s in 9 matches – statistics that place him firmly amongst the league's elite raiders.

His dominance of the Pirates' raiding output borders on the absurd. Ayan has contributed approximately 51% of Patna's total raid points, shouldering an enormous burden in the absence of consistent support from Maninder Singh and others.

Ayan's versatility across Defenders In Play situations demonstrates tactical completeness that makes him exceptionally difficult to contain. He excels particularly against full defences, scoring 67 raid points at 74% strike rate in 6-7 DIP situations. He maintains impressive efficiency in reduced defences as well: 11 points at 73% in 2-3 DIP and 25 points at 53% in 4-5 DIP.

His 68% overall strike rate ranks fourth-best amongst raiders with 75+ points in PKL 12, trailing only Devank (76%), and level with Aditya Shinde and Gagan Gowda (both 69%). This consistency has been remarkable given the pressure of carrying the Pirates' entire attacking burden.

Maninder Singh's sporadic appearances have compounded the problem. Despite his pedigree and historical excellence, Maninder has managed just 40 raid points at 6.7 average with 63% strike rate in 6 matches this season. His absence from several matches has left Ayan isolated, facing concentrated defensive attention without adequate support.

Against UP Yoddhas specifically, Ayan maintains a respectable record, having scored 27 raid points in 3 matches at 9.0 average with 57% strike rate and one Super 10. However, the Yoddhas' defensive capabilities – particularly Sumit's historical effectiveness against quality raiders – present challenges.

If Maninder Singh features and rediscovers his form alongside Ayan's brilliance, the Pirates possess sufficient raiding firepower to exploit UP Yoddhas' defensive vulnerabilities. However, if Ayan must carry the load alone again, even his exceptional abilities may prove insufficient.

Team Stories

UP Yoddhas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#65 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 35–40
  • M#61 vs Dabang Delhi – Lost 26–43
  • M#53 vs Gujarat Giants – Lost 27–33
  • M#49 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won 36–36 (tie-breaker 6–5)
  • M#46 vs Tamil Thalaivas – Won 39–22

UP Yoddhas occupy 9th position with 4 wins in 11 matches, their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread after three consecutive defeats. The alarming aspect isn't merely the losses but the manner of their occurrence – comprehensively outplayed by Dabang Delhi (17-point defeat), unable to capitalise on opportunities against Gujarat Giants (6-point defeat), and failing to maintain consistency against Telugu Titans despite improved support raiding.

The twin pillars of Gagan Gowda and Sumit have delivered consistently until recent matches, but cracks have emerged precisely when the team needs them most. Gagan's uncharacteristic failure against Telugu Titans, coupled with Sumit's consecutive zero-point performances, has exposed the squad's lack of depth.

Victory over Patna Pirates earlier this season (34-31 in M#7) offers hope for completing the double. However, that success came when both Gagan and Sumit were performing optimally – if either falters again, the Yoddhas' structural weaknesses may prove fatal to their playoff chances.

UP Yoddhas' Supporting Cast – Inconsistency Costs Points

Whilst Gagan Gowda's dominance has been celebrated, the failure of Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh to establish consistency has severely hampered UP Yoddhas' campaign. Both possess the talent to contribute significantly – as evidenced by their Telugu Titans performances – but neither has maintained sustained excellence.

Current raiding statistics:

  • Gagan Gowda: 101 raid points (9.2 average, 69% SR, 5 Super 10s)
  • Bhavani Rajput: 59 raid points (5.4 average, 45% SR, 2 Super 10s)
  • Guman Singh: 36 raid points (4.0 average, 46% SR)

Bhavani's 16-point explosion against Telugu Titans demonstrated his ceiling, but his 45% seasonal strike rate reveals his floor. Similarly, Guman's contributions have been sporadic rather than sustained, leaving Gagan to shoulder an unrealistic burden.

Against Patna Pirates historically, both support raiders maintain positive records. Bhavani has scored 27 raid points in 9 matches at 3.0 average with 39% strike rate, whilst Guman has accumulated 35 points in 5 matches at 7.0 average with 51% strike rate. These numbers suggest both can exploit the Pirates' defensive frailties if they reproduce their better performances.

Patna Pirates – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#55 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 28–37
  • M#51 vs Bengal Warriorz – Lost 42–48
  • M#43 vs Dabang Delhi – Won 33–30
  • M#38 vs Haryana Steelers – Lost 32–43
  • M#27 vs U Mumba – Lost 39–40

Patna Pirates languish at the bottom of the table with just 2 wins in 9 matches, their campaign teetering on the brink of disaster. The three-time champions have endured a nightmare season that began with three consecutive losses before stunning victories over Puneri Paltan and table-topping Dabang Delhi offered false hope.

The inability to build momentum following these upset victories epitomises their struggles. After dominating Puneri Paltan comprehensively for their first win, they immediately lost their next two matches. Following the stunning Dabang Delhi upset, they've dropped consecutive encounters to U Mumba (1-point heartbreak), Haryana Steelers (11-point defeat), Bengal Warriorz (6-point defeat), and Telugu Titans (9-point defeat).

The pattern is clear – Ayan's individual brilliance occasionally produces memorable victories, but the team's structural weaknesses (catastrophic defence, inadequate raiding support) ensure sustained success remains impossible. Against UP Yoddhas – themselves struggling – the Pirates face a must-win encounter to avoid completely derailing their season.

Patna Pirates' Defence – Crisis Deepens

The Pirates' defensive collapse has reached crisis proportions, with no realistic solution apparent from within the current squad. Captain Ankit's isolated excellence cannot compensate for the systematic failures of his teammates.

Current defensive statistics:

  • Ankit: 25 tackle points (2.8 average, 48% SR, 2 High 5s, 12 assists)
  • Navdeep: 17 tackle points (2.1 average, 38% SR, 11 assists)
  • Deepak Singh: 12 tackle points (1.3 average, 29% SR, 21 assists)
  • Sanket Sawant: 5 tackle points (0.6 average, 19% SR, 26 assists)

The assist numbers reveal that coordination and support play exist, but the fundamental ability to execute successful tackles has disappeared. Sanket Sawant's 19% strike rate and Deepak Singh's 29% represent individual disasters, whilst Navdeep's 38% isn't substantially better.

Against UP Yoddhas historically, the Pirates' defenders have been systematically exploited. Ankit maintains a 44% strike rate against the Yoddhas across 5 matches but has conceded positive head-to-head records to Gagan Gowda (8-2), Bhavani Rajput (4-3), and Guman Singh (1-3). Deepak Singh's record is similarly concerning, with negative matchups against most Yoddhas raiders.

For Patna Pirates to secure victory, their defence must produce a collective performance that far exceeds anything shown this season. This seems improbable given the consistency of their struggles across nine matches.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 18 | UP Yoddhas – 7 | Patna Pirates – 10 | Tied – 1

Historically, Patna Pirates have dominated this fixture, winning 10 of 18 encounters. However, recent form favours UP Yoddhas, who've won 3 of the last 7 meetings since PKL 9, including the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • PKL 12 M#7: Yoddhas won 34–31
  • PKL 11 M#74: Yoddhas won 44–42
  • PKL 11 M#29: Pirates won 42–37
  • PKL 10 M#79: Pirates won 34–31
  • PKL 10 M#52: Pirates won 48–41

The reverse fixture (M#7) saw UP Yoddhas secure a narrow 3-point victory (34-31) when both teams were finding their feet early in the season. That result offers psychological advantage to the Yoddhas, though both teams have regressed significantly since that encounter.

Key Player Battles

UP Yoddhas' Raiders vs Patna Pirates' Defenders

  • Gagan Gowda 8–2 Ankit
  • Bhavani Rajput 4–3 Ankit
  • Guman Singh 1–3 Ankit
  • Guman Singh 17–7 Sanket Sawant
  • Bhavani Rajput 5–1 Sanket Sawant

Patna Pirates' Raiders vs UP Yoddhas' Defenders

  • Maninder Singh 15–12 Sumit
  • Maninder Singh 4–4 Hitesh
  • Ayan 8–5 Hitesh

What to Expect

This encounter presents a fascinating battle between two deeply flawed teams desperately seeking points for contrasting reasons. UP Yoddhas need victory to revive fading playoff hopes, whilst Patna Pirates are simply fighting to avoid complete season collapse and preserve some dignity for the three-time champions.

The critical matchups centre on Gagan Gowda versus Patna's defensive shambles, and Ayan versus UP Yoddhas' inconsistent but capable defence. Gagan's historical dominance against Pirates defenders (8-2 vs Ankit, positive records against others) suggests he should thrive if he rediscovers the form shown prior to the Telugu Titans disaster. Conversely, Ayan faces Sumit – whose 15-12 historical advantage over Maninder Singh demonstrates his ability to contain quality raiders.

The supporting casts could prove decisive. If Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh reproduce their Telugu Titans performances alongside Gagan's brilliance, the Yoddhas possess overwhelming raiding firepower. However, if Gagan struggles again and receives inadequate support, Patna's upset potential emerges.

Similarly, if Sumit recovers from his consecutive zero-point disasters and Ashu Singh maintains his 56% strike rate, the Yoddhas defence can contain even Ayan's brilliance. But if Sumit's crisis continues, Ayan could produce a match-winning performance.

Historical head-to-head records favour Patna Pirates (10-7 overall), but recent form and current positions suggest UP Yoddhas should prevail. The Yoddhas' superior overall squad balance – when functioning properly – should overcome the Pirates' one-man raiding unit and catastrophic defence.

Expect a competitive but error-strewn encounter where individual brilliance determines the outcome. Both teams' structural weaknesses ensure neither can dominate comprehensively, but UP Yoddhas' greater depth should prove decisive if Gagan Gowda and Sumit rediscover their form.

Match Details

  • Match: UP Yoddhas vs Patna Pirates – Match 68, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Monday, 6th 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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