Puneri Paltan clash presents golden opportunity to Haryana Steelers

Puneri Paltan return to play in front of their home crowd at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Wednesday and will face a resurgent Haryana Steelers side, who are closing in on that third and final Playoff spot in Zone A.

The two teams last faced off in Haryana Steelers’ home leg in Sonepat, where the visitors came on top by a scoreline of 45-27, largely thanks to a combined 16 raid points from Nitin Tomar and Rajesh Mondal.

Match 85 (Zone A): Haryana Steelers vs. Puneri Paltan

Head-to-head: Haryana Steelers 4-1 Puneri Paltan

Form Guide

Haryana Steelers	RESULT (W-T-L)	POINTS SCORED	POINTS CONCEDED
Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.	WON	34	27
Vs. Gujarat Fortunegiants	LOST	31	40
Vs. Tamil Thalaivas	TIED	32	32
Vs. U Mumba	WON	35	31
Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.	LOST	33	39
TOTAL	2-1-2	165	169

Stats from the last five matches

Average Points Scored – 33

Average Points Conceded – 33.8

Best Raider - Vikash Khandola

Best Defender – Sunil

Puneri Paltan	RESULT(W-T-L)	POINTS SCORED	POINTS CONCEDED
Vs. Jaipur Pink Panthers	TIED	30	30
Vs. Bengal Warriors	LOST	22	26
Vs. Telugu Titans	LOST	25	28
Vs. U Mumba	LOST	22	31
Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.	WON	31	27
TOTAL	1-1-3	130	142

Stats from the last five matches

Average Points Scored – 26

Average Points Conceded – 28.4

Best Raider- More GB

Best Defender – Girish Maruti Ernak

The big battle

Vikash Khandola vs. Sandeep Narwal

Vikash Khandola has been in exemplary form in Haryana Steelers’ recent run of good results. The raider has clocked up 48 raid points in his last five appearances for the team, scoring at a healthy average of 9.60. His tally in his run is almost twice as good as any other raiders in Haryana Steelers’ ranks, showcasing how crucial Khandola is to team’s fortunes in offence.

‘The Beast’ Sandeep Narwal has been a steady contributor from the Right Corner position for Puneri Paltan in Season 6. His tally of 25 tackle points in 15 outings this campaign ranks the third-best for his side, but he leads all Puneri Paltan players in assists with 25, proving that he’s always willing to support the defence when an opportunity to tackle a raider presents itself.

Narwal’s duel with Khandola will be a massive factor in deciding the outcome of his crunch fixture. Khandola possesses the capacity to turn the tide in his team’s favour single-handedly and limiting his impact will be of utmost importance for Puneri Paltan.

Key Khiladi

Monu Goyat – Haryana Steelers

With 83 raid points in 13 appearances this campaign, Monu Goyat has played his role as Haryana Steelers’ secondary to perfection. Against Gujarat Fortunegiants’ stellar defence, Goyat scored his fourth Super 10 of the campaign and was his team’s highest top scorer, indicating that he may be hitting top form just in time for Haryana Steelers’ final stretch of the campaign. Goyat’s performance against Puneri Paltan’s high-scoring defence will be crucial in Haryana Steelers’ quest to close the gap between themselves and a Super Playoff spot.

Girish Maruti Ernak – Puneri Paltans

Puneri Paltan captain Girish Maruti Ernak has led his team by example in VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6. The Left Corner leads the team in tackle points with 42 and is second in assists with 23. He has also managed three Super Tackles this campaign, showcasing his brute strength and innate timing on tackles. He enjoyed a six-point night in Puneri Paltan’s last outing against Haryana Steelers and the skipper will be aiming for another big performance to end his team’s four-game winless run.