It’s the penultimate Sunday of league stage action in vivo Pro Kabaddi and fans will be served a delicious three-course meal of some of the finest players in the league.

In the first game, Haryana Steelers will take on U Mumba, and later Bengaluru Bulls will go head-to-head against the Jaipur Pink Panthers. In the main event, U.P. Yoddha will battle Gujarat Giants.

Check out our preview for all three games:

Match 113: Haryana Steelers vs U Mumba

After three successive wins, the Haryana Steelers were handed a reality check in their last outing, as the succumbed to a 45-27 loss against the Puneri Paltan. Coach Rakesh Kumar will want his side to brush the result off as an anomaly and focus on their good run prior to that. The Steelers are currently third on the points table but are only six points clear of seventh-placed Puneri Paltan and have also played a game more. A defeat on Sunday could prove to be detrimental to their playoff aspirations.

U Mumba had a spectacular day at the office yesterday, as they trounced the Bengal Warriors 37-27. Raiding duo V Ajith Kumar and Abhishek had solid outings and combined for 17 points, but it was the defence that really shone against the Warriors. Skipper Fazel Atrachali scored a season-high eight tackle points, while Right Corner Rinku also picked up a High 5. If U Mumba’s defence can emulate their display against the Warriors in all their remaining matches, they will likely secure a playoff berth with ease.

Haryana Steelers vs U Mumba head-to-head

U Mumba hold a 6-3 lead in their head-to-head series against the Haryana Steelers. The first meeting between the two sides finished in a 24-24 tie. That game marked the first time they shared the spoils in vivo PKL.

Match 114: Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers

One win in their last four matches has left the Bengaluru Bulls in a precarious position on the points table. They are fifth and have played a game more than U Mumba and Puneri, who currently occupy the sixth and seventh spot on the points table, and trail the Bulls by two and four points, respectively. A loss on Sunday, coupled with victories for U Mumba on Sunday and Puneri Paltan on Monday could see them drop out of the playoff spots with two games left. This is a crucial game for the Bulls and as close to must-win as it could get.

After thrashing the Patna Pirates and beating Dabang Delhi, Jaipur Pink Panthers were looking like one of the teams to beat. But since those victories, they have succumbed to three straight losses and sit eighth on the points table. In their last game against the U.P. Yoddha, raider Arjun Deshwal ended his four-game wait for a Super 10, but couldn’t stop the Pink Panthers from losing the contest. Despite their recent results, Jaipur’s playoff destiny remains in their control, but a defeat on Sunday could prove to be a big blow to their top six aspirations.

Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers head-to-head

The Jaipur Pink Panthers have won seven and lost six of their 14 matches against the Bengaluru Bulls. One game between the two sides has finished in a tie. The Bulls beat the Pink Panthers 38-31 in the teams’ first meeting this season.

Match 115: U.P. Yoddha vs Gujarat Giants

Three straight wins have seen the U.P. Yoddha climb to fourth on the points table. The key to their resurgence has been the return to form of raider Pardeep Narwal. The Record-Breaker has recorded two straight Super 10s and was spectacular in his team’s crucial win over the Jaipur Pink Panthers. Pardeep’s three Super Raids against the Pink Panthers saw him rise to second of the list of players with the most raids which yielded three points or more. Surender Gill, U.P. top scorer in Season 8, has also been in great form and will hope to deliver another excellent performance on Sunday. U.P. have a played game more than four of the five teams right behind them on the points table, who are also vying for a playoff spot. They need to continue winning games to ensure they make it to the playoffs.

The Gujarat Giants snapped their three-game losing streak with a narrow 34-32 win over the Telugu Titans. The victory was crucial for the Giants, as it kept their playoff hopes alive. The Giants currently trail sixth-placed U Mumba by four points and could finish the night in the top six, provided the Steelers win tonight and Gujarat also beats U.P. A loss, however, would leave them a mountain to climb in their final three games of the league stage. Gujarat cannot afford a single slip up because if they do, they will likely miss out on a playoff spot.

U.P. Yoddha vs Gujarat Giants head-to-head

The Gujarat Giants hold a narrow 3-2 lead in their head-to-head series against U.P. Yoddha. Two games between the sides, including their first meeting this season, have finished in a tie.

PKL Schedule for Sunday, February 13

Match 113: Haryana Steelers vs U Mumba, 7:30 PM IST

Match 114: Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers, 8:30 PM IST

Match 115: U.P. Yoddha vs Gujarat Giants, 9:30 PM IST

Where to watch vivo Pro Kabaddi live?

Catch all the LIVE action from vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 8 on the Star Sports Network and LIVE streaming on Disney+Hotstar.

 

 

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