Inter Zone Challenge Week continues in Chennai with two big clashes

Match 100: Tamil Thalaivas vs Puneri Paltan

Tamil Thalaivas will start their home leg brimming with confidence on the back of consecutive wins against strong opponents in Bengal and Gujarat. They might be at the bottom of Zone B right now but a good home leg could make the difference for their side. Pune are currently in fourth spot in Zone A but with several games in hand they will be eyeing the top spot over the course of their next few matches.

Ajay Thakur has been the hero for Tamil Thalaivas so far. His ability to turn games around in the last minute has proven to be the difference for his side. His raiding partner K. Prapanjan though has been suspect at times and the strong Pune defence will look to target him when he comes to raid. Youngsters C. Arun and D. Pradap have performed well and the team will look to them to support Amit Hooda in defence.

Captain Deepak Hooda and Sandeep Narwal have been the star performers for Pune in recent games. All-rounder Rajesh Mondal too has been contributing valuable points to the team’s cause. Pune will hope the trio can get them off to a flier as they are most effective when they get big starts and put the opposition under pressure.

Khel Kabaddi Khiladi:

Ajay Thakur

Known to keep fighting till the end, Thakur, who has 101 point from 13 matches so far, will once again look to score heavily and ensure another win for his side.

Sandeep Narwal

Sandeep has risen to be one of the best all-rounders in the league so far and is a strong cog in the wheel for Pune. In the 12 matches played so far, he has scored 65 points for his team.

Match 101:  Gujarat Fortunegiants vs Patna Pirates

In a clash of the big guns, crowds will be licking their lips as Pardeep Narwal gets ready to face one of the league’s best defensive duos in Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mighani. With a win here, Gujarat will reach the top of Zone A so one can expect the Fortunegiants to go hard against Patna in this game.

Pardeep has been the magic man for Patna Pirates this season. He and Monu Goyat are among the top scorers of the league which bodes well for the team.  However, their defence has let the team down multiple times. Jaideep is the only bright spark in defence with senior player Vishal Mane failing to make an impression this season.

Gujarat came into the season known for their defence but their raiders Sachin and Chandran Ranjit have made the attacking department equally effective. Sachin’s form in particular has been sublime and the team will look to him to match Pardeep in attack. Their defenders have performed well but are prone to lapses in concentration late in the game which led to their recent loss against Tamil Thalaivas. They will need to strengthen their defensive line if they are to keep Dubki King Pardeep from running away with the match early on.

Khel Kabaddi Khiladi:

Pardeep Narwal

The danger man from Patna is the highest scorer of the league so far with 238 points from 18 matches and should be the easiest choice in any Khel Kabaddi team.

Sachin

Playing in his debut season, Sachin has impressed one and all by scoring 119 points from 16 matches. He is currently Gujarat’s primary raider.

Catch the action live on the Star Sports network and hotstar from 7.30 pm onwards.