Bengaluru Bulls attempt to consolidate top position in Zone B

The final day of the second Inter-Zone Challenge week sees Jaipur Pink Panthers take on Bengaluru Bulls at The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The two teams are enjoying contrasting fortunes this campaign with Jaipur Pink Panthers placed sixth in Zone A while Bengaluru Bulls sit atop Zone B with three games in hand over the next best team.

Victory is imperative for Jaipur Pink Panthers in a bid to keep their Super Playoffs hopes alive and close the gap on third-placed Puneri Paltan.

Match 70 (Inter-Zone Challenge Week): Jaipur Pink Panthers vs. Bengaluru Bulls

Head-to-head: Jaipur Pink Panthers 6-2 Bengaluru Bulls. 1 tie.

Form guide:

Stats in the last five matches -

Average points scored: 32.2

Average points conceded: 36.8

Best Raider: Deepak Niwas Hooda

Best Defender: Mohit Chhillar

Stats in the last five matches:

Average points scored:  34.8

Average points conceded: 31.8

Best Raider: Pawan Kumar Sehrawat

Best Defender: Mahender Singh

The big battle –

Deepak Niwas Hooda vs. Mahender Singh

Deepak Niwas Hooda has come alive in the past few matches and has played a big role in his team’s past two victories. The raider has scored 46 of his 73 raid points in Season 6 in Jaipur Pink Panthers’ last five matches and scored a Super 10 in both victories for his team in that spell. Hooda is still the only player from the Jaipur Pink Panthers roster to get a Super 10 this campaign and the onus will be on him to lead his team’s offence against an in-form Bengaluru Bulls side.

Bengaluru Bulls’ Left Cover Mahender Singh has been a revelation for his side of late, pulling off big tackles in crucial junctures of the match. Mahender had a big night in his team’s 37-27 victory over U.P. Yoddha, scoring six tackle points in just seven tackles. Of his 22 tackles points this campaign, 13 have come in the last five matches, showcasing his steady rise as a leader in the Bengaluru Bulls defence.

Key Khiladi-

Sandeep Dhull – Jaipur Pink Panthers

Sandeep Dhull was stellar in his side’s big win over U.P. Yoddha in their previous outing, scoring his first High 5 of the campaign. While that performance will certainly lift his spirits, Dhull will face a much sterner test against Bengaluru Bulls, who boast of three outstanding right raiders in Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, Rohit Kumar and Kashiling Adake. Dhull’s performance in the Left Corner position in this match will go a long way in determining the outcome of this fixture.

Pawan Kumar Sehrawat – Bengaluru Bulls

Apart from his eight raid points against Gujarat Fortunegiants last night, Pawan Kumar Sehrawat’s incredible solo tackle in the very last raid of the match earned his side three valuable points and took them to the top of Zone B. Sehrawat’s consistency has been a major factor in Bengaluru Bulls’ success this campaign. The raider became the sixth man to reach 100 raid points in Season 6 on Saturday and he reached that mark at a strike rate of 81.39, indicative of his consistency in picking up raid points.