A cracker of a contest headlines the resumption of zonal action, as Dabang Delhi K.C. take on U Mumba for the third time this campaign at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Vizag on Tuesday. A victory for Dabang Delhi K.C. will see them qualify for the Playoffs for the first time in history and break a three-game losing streak against their Zone A rivals.

The two teams last met in Dabang Delhi K.C.’s home leg where a mammoth 16-point second half from Siddharth Desai helped his team overcome a first-half deficit and secure a victory. This defeat denied Dabang Delhi K.C. a perfect record in their home leg.

Match 106 (Zone A): Dabang Delhi K.C. vs. U Mumba

Head-to-head: U Mumba 11-2 Dabang Delhi K.C.

Form Guide:

Dabang Delhi K.C.

RESULT(W-T-L)

POINTS SCORED

POINTS CONCEDED

Vs.  Tamil Thalaivas

WON

37

33

Vs. Bengaluru Bulls

WON

32

31

Vs.  Telugu Titans

WON

34

29

Vs. Puneri Paltan

WON

35

24

Vs. U Mumba

LOST

34

41

TOTAL

4-0-1

172

158

Stats from the last five matches –

Average Points Scored – 34.4

Average Points Conceded – 31.6

Best Raider- Meraj Sheykh

Best Defender – Vishal Mane

U Mumba

RESULT(W-T-L)

POINTS SCORED

POINTS CONCEDED

Vs. Bengal Warriors

WON

31

20

Vs. Gujarat Fortunegiants

WON

36

26

Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C

WON

41

34

Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.

WON

39

23

Vs. Gujarat Fortunegiants

LOST

35

39

TOTAL

4-0-1

182

142

Stats from the last five matches –

Average Points Scored – 36.4

Average Points Conceded – 28.4

Best Raider- Siddharth Desai

Best Defender – Surender Singh

The big battle –

Meraj Sheykh vs. Fazel Atrachali

After scoring 28 raid points in his first eight appearances in Season 6, all-rounder Meraj Sheykh came into his own during Dabang Delhi K.C.’s home leg and scored 47 raid points in just five appearances, playing a starring role in his team’s outstanding home leg. His best performance came against Jaipur Pink Panthers, where he scored 15 raid points in just 18 attempts and allowed no tackle points to help his team win by a healthy margin.

U Mumba captain Fazel Atrachali has enjoyed a stellar campaign in Season 6 and currently sits atop the Best Defenders list with 71 tackle points. His average of 3.74 tackle points is the second-best among all players in Season 6 and his tackle strike rate of 65.13 is also second-best among all players with over 50 tackle points. Atrachali also ranks fifth in the league in assists, an indication of his all-round contribution in defence.

The battle between these teams will have an Iranian flavour to it and the victor of his duel could play a big role in deciding the fate of this contest.

Key Khiladi -

Ravinder Pahal – Dabang Delhi K.C.

Having crossed 50 tackle points already in Season 6, Ravinder Pahal has had a magnificent campaign and continues to play a vital role for Dabang Delhi K.C. in defence. Against U Mumba, however, Pahal has found it difficult to leave his imprint on the match. The Right Corner has scored only two tackles points in two matches at a strike rate of 18.18. With U Mumba boasting of two in-form left raiders in Siddharth Desai and Rohit Baliyan, Pahal’s performance could serve as make-or-break for Dabang Delhi K.C. in this match. 

Siddharth Desai – U Mumba

Rookie sensation Siddharth Desai continues to dazzle one-and-all in his debut campaign as he leads the league in total points with 188 to his name. In his two outings against Dabang Delhi K.C., Desai has scored 28 points at a staggering average of 14 and an incredible strike rate of 82.65. Against Dabang Delhi K.C.’s right-sided Corner and Cover duo of Pahal and Vishal Mane, Desai has scored 19 points at a strike rate of 158.33. If Desai delivers another similar performance against Dabang Delhi K.C., U Mumba’s odds of winning the contest could get a significant boost.