Jaipur Pink Panthers and Dabang Delhi K.C. aim to close the gap on the top three in Zone A

On Sunday, the Mumbai leg of VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 sees Dabang Delhi K.C. and Jaipur Pink Panthers fight it out in a bid to close the gap on third-placed Gujarat Fortunegiants at the Dome@NSCI SVP Stadium.

This game will mark the first time that the zonal rivals face each other in Season 6, with their last match ending in a dramatic 35-34 win for Dabang Delhi K.C in the previous campaign. Defender Nitin Rawal starred for his side, scoring a Super 10 along with four tackle points whereas Meraj Sheykh and R. Sriram combined to score 14 points for Dabang Delhi K.C.

Match 58 (Zone A): Jaipur Pink Panthers vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.

Head-to-head: Jaipur Pink Panthers 7-3 Dabang Delhi K.C. 1 tie.

Since their victory over Haryana Steelers in Sonepat, Jaipur Pink Panthers have won only a single match in their ensuing six fixtures. Their form has left them trailing Gujarat Fortunegiants, who currently occupy the third spot in Zone A, by 22 points while also having played a game more. Their last win also came against Haryana Steelers on the penultimate day of the Patna leg. Deepak Niwas Hooda scored the team’s first Super 10 of the campaign in Jaipur Pink Panthers’ victory that night.

Dabang Delhi K.C. currently occupy the fourth spot in Zone A and, with a win over Jaipur Pink Panthers, they can close the gap to Gujarat Fortunegiants to seven points. Dabang Delhi K.C. were magnificent in their previous match against Haryana Steelers, beating them by a scoreline of 39-33. Raider Naveen Kumar and Meraj Sheykh combined to score 15 raid points for their side in offence, whereas Right Corner Ravinder Pahal managed a stellar six tackle points to bring home a victory for their team.

The big battle –

Deepak Niwas Hooda vs. Ravinder Pahal

Deepak Niwas Hooda has been a bright spark in the last two fixtures for Jaipur Pink Panthers, scoring 18 raid points. The raider leads the Jaipur Pink Panthers in scoring with 55 total points, 48 of which are raid points. Hooda’s career record of 11 games played and 102 points scored against Dabang Delhi K.C. suggests he brings his A-game to the mat when taking on the team from the capital.

The responsibility of limiting Hooda’s impact will fall upon the shoulders of veteran Ravinder Pahal. The Right Corner has been magnificent for his side in Season 6 and leads Dabang Delhi K.C. in tackle points with 25.

Hooda and Pahal’s career battle is split right down the middle with both scoring a point off the other and their duel will be expected to take centre stage when Jaipur Pink Panthers take on Dabang Delhi K.C. on Sunday.

Key Khiladi –

Mohit Chhillar – Jaipur Pink Panthers

Right Corner Mohit Chhillar has been Jaipur Pink Panthers’ best defender in Season 6 with 21 tackle points so far. With Dabang Delhi K.C.’s ace Chandran Ranjit being a left raider, Chhillar will have his hands full all night trying to stop Ranjit from having a big game.

Naveen Kumar – Dabang Delhi K.C.

Rookie raider Naveen Kumar has been outstanding for Dabang Delhi K.C. and is one of the finds of the season in VIVO Pro Kabaddi. The dynamic youngster leads his team in the raiding department with 61 raid points and his nine raid points in their previous outing against Haryana Steelers were crucial in securing a victory.  

Factor This –

One of Jaipur Pink Panthers’ most important raiders, Anup Kumar, is averaging 3.5 raid points per game this season as opposed to his usual average of 6.01