With an aim for wins, Jaipur Pink Panthers’ home leg begins

VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 moves to Panchkula as Jaipur Pink Panthers play host to Puneri Paltan in a Zone A encounter at the Tau Devilal Sports Complex on Friday. With seven games left in their campaign, Jaipur Pink Panthers will need to win all their matches to be eligible to qualify for the Playoffs.

The two sides have met twice already this season. While Puneri Paltan came out victorious in the first encounter, the two sides split points the last time they met where Deepak Niwas Hooda starred for Jaipur Pink Panthers with 11 raid points and Girish Maruti Ernak led Puneri Paltan’s defence with a High 5, finishing the night with 6 tackle points.

Match 111 (Zone A): Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Puneri Paltan

Head-to-head: Jaipur Pink Panthers 6-5 Puneri Paltan. 2 ties

Form Guide

Jaipur Pink Panthers	RESULT (W-T-L)	POINTS SCORED	POINTS CONCEDED
Vs. Tamil Thalaivas	WON	37	24
Vs. Telugu Titans	LOST	26	36
Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.	LOST	35	48
Vs. Puneri Paltan	TIED	30	30
Vs. Bengaluru Bulls	LOST	32	45
TOTAL	1-1-3	160	183

Stats from the last five matches

Average Points Scored – 32.0

Average Points Conceded – 36.6

Best Raider – Deepak Niwas Hooda

Best Defender – Sandeep Dhull

Puneri Paltan	RESULT (W-T-L)	POINTS SCORED	POINTS CONCEDED
Vs. Patna Pirates	LOST	36	53
Vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.	LOST	24	35
Vs. Gujarat Fortunegiants	LOST	20	35
Vs. Haryana Steelers	WON	35	33
Vs. Jaipur Pink Panthers	TIED	30	30
TOTAL	1-1-3	145	186

Stats from the last five matches

Average Points Scored – 29.0

Average Points Conceded – 37.2

Best Raider – More GB

Best Defender – Girish Maruti Ernak

The big battle

Deepak Niwas Hooda vs Sandeep Narwal

Deepak Niwas Hooda has been one of the most in-form players of the league, having scored four Super 10s in his last five outings. While he started the season with just 30 raid points from the first six games, he has gone on to score 103 raid points in his last nine matches. Hooda has carried Jaipur Pink Panthers’ offence singlehandedly this season, having scored 95 raid points more than the team’s next best raider.

The left raider will be up against Right Corner Sandeep Narwal. Having scored 37 tackle points this season, Narwal has been Puneri Paltan’s second-best defender this season. He is also joint-second with seven Super Tackles this season, and this is something Hooda will be wary off.

While Hooda leads the duo’s head-to-head 10-5, both all-rounders are one of the best in VIVO Pro Kabaddi and the one that outperforms the other will likely give his team five points from the win.

Key Khiladi

Sunil Siddhgavali – Jaipur Pink Panthers

Despite being designated as a raider, Sunil Siddhgavali has contributed more in defence for Jaipur Pink Panthers. Siddhgavali returned with a High 5 in their previous match against Tamil Thalaivas and will look to continue his good defensive form. He also managed to get his first VIVO Pro Kabaddi raid points in that game and his side will look for more all-round performances from him.

Girish Maruti Ernak – Puneri Paltan

Skipper Girish Maruti Ernak has been a rock in Puneri Paltan’s defence this season. One of only 11 players to manage 50 tackle points this season, Ernak has managed four High 5s, sitting joint-fourth on that list. Ernak has led the team astutely and Puneri Paltan will hope he continues putting in similar performances.