Jaipur Pink Panthers and U.P. Yoddha fight to get momentum on their side

The second match of the Ahmedabad leg sees Jaipur Pink Panthers take on U.P. Yoddha at the Arena by TransStadia on Friday. Both teams will want to get some winning momentum as U.P. Yoddha have the opportunity to capture the second spot in Zone B while Jaipur Pink Panthers will have to win this game to challenge the top three in Zone A going forward.

Match 67 (Inter-Zone Challenge Week): Jaipur Pink Panthers vs U.P. Yoddha

Head-to-head: Jaipur Pink Panthers 1 – 1 U.P. Yoddha

Form Guide

Stats from the last five matches –

Average Points Scored: 28.8

Average Points Conceded: 39

Best Raider: Deepak Hooda (45 raid points)

Best Defender: Young Chang Ko (12 tackle points)

Stats from the last five matches –

Average Points Scored: 27.2

Average Points Conceded: 33.8

Best Raider: Rishank Devadiga (20 raid points)

Best Defender: Nitesh Kumar (21 tackle points)

The big battle

Deepak Hooda vs Nitesh Kumar

Deepak Hooda has been the leading Jaipur Pink Panthers raider with 63 raid points in 9 games. He is someone who the team relies on heavily in the absence of Nitin Rawal to take on the role of an all-rounder in the side. So far Hooda has scored 33 raid points in his last 3 games and is coming into this game riding on some fine raiding form.

He will be up against the current leading Right Corner defender of Season 6 in this game- Nitesh Kumar. Kumar has shown that he has the ability to turn games around with his strong tackles and comes into this game having scored 13 tackle points in his past 3 games which include one High 5. If he can manage to keep Hooda on the bench then U.P. Yoddha could dictate terms in the match.

Key Khiladi

Sandeep Dhull – Jaipur Pink Panthers

Left Corner Sandeep Dhull has shown great composure in pressure situations for Jaipur Pink Panthers, be it while starting the game or coming in as a substitute when the team needs to inflict a crucial tackle. He is second only to Mohit Chhillar when it comes to scoring tackle point for his team. His diving Thigh Holds could trouble Rishank Devadiga when he goes in for a bonus point.

Shrikant Jadhav - U.P. Yoddha

The left raider will have a tough task when he faces the Corner duo of Sandeep Dhull and Mohit Chhillar on Friday. Right Corner Chhillar has the ability to surprise raiders by diving for their ankles and Jadhav will have to watch out for this when he takes the defender on. Jadhav is the leading raid point scorer for his side and his presence on the mat will be crucial for U.P. Yoddha.

Factor this –

Deepak Hooda’s raid point average of 13 and raid strike rate of 76.47 against U.P. Yoddha are his best against any opposition in VIVO Pro Kabaddi.