Patna Pirates look to end slump against U.P. Yoddha

Patna Pirates will be doing everything they can to end their five-match winless streak when they face U.P. Yoddha at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The three-time champions have endured a difficult campaign this year and currently languish at the bottom of the vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 7 standings. They need a win to get their season back on track, but that won’t be easy against a U.P. Yoddha outfit that heads into the contest on the back of consecutive wins.

Match 76: Patna Pirates vs U.P. Yoddha

Head-to-head: Patna Pirates 4 – 2 U.P. Yoddha. 1 Tie.

Patna Pirates

Form guide:

Played: 12

Won: 3

Tied: 0

Lost: 9

Win rate:25%

Best Raider: Pardeep Narwal

Best Defender: Jaideep

The three-time champions have won just one of their last nine matches and need a quick turnaround in fortunes if they still want to harbour hopes of making the playoffs. ‘Record-Breaker’ Pardeep Narwal has been at his brilliant best but has lacked support from his teammates. His 14 raid points in Patna Pirates’ last game went in vain and that has been the story of the season for the team so far. Jaideep is their leading tackle points scorer but his last few outings haven’t been his most productive. Iranians Mohammad Maghsoudlou and Hadi Oshtorak have had their moments too, however, coach Ram Mehar Singh will want them to be more consistent. Patna Pirates’ defence also needs to be switched on in crucial game-defining moments, while Pardeep certainly requires help in attack with the skipper often seen fighting lone battles against the opposition defence. 

U.P. Yoddha

Form guide:

Played: 12

Won: 5

Tied: 2

Lost: 5

Win rate: 41.67%

Best Raider: Shrikant Jadhav

Best Defender: Sumit

U.P. Yoddha will be keen to continue their good run of form and in turn pile the pressure on the top 6. After overcoming fourth-placed Bengal Warriors in their last game, U.P. Yoddha will fancy their chances against Patna Pirates. With Shrikant Jadhav in red hot form and the defensive unit also performing to their potential, the team will be quietly confident about pulling off another win in Bengaluru. Shrikant though wouldn’t mind sharing the burden of raiding and Rishank Devadiga, who has been returning to match-sharpness could well answer his call. The return of Monu Goyat from injury will also be a boost in attack for U.P. Yoddha. Their defence, on the other hand, seem to be on the same page and will be eager to replicate a performance similar to their previous outing.