Zonal action resumes with another exciting Southern Derby

After a fascinating Inter-Zone Challenge Week, the zonal battles resume with Tamil Thalaivas facing off against Telugu Titans at the Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

A victory for Tamil Thalaivas is of utmost importance as they are currently in sixth place in Zone B and trail Bengal Warriors, who occupy the third and final Super Playoff spot, by 12 points.

The two teams faced off earlier in the campaign and Telugu Titans came out victors by a scoreline of 33-28.

Match 72(Zone B): Tamil Thalaivas vs. Telugu Titans

Head-to-head: Telugu Titans 4-0 Tamil Thalaivas

Form guide:

Tamil Thalaivas	RESULT(W-T-L)	POINTS SCORED	POINTS CONCEDED
Vs U Mumba	LOST	22	36
Vs Haryana Steelers	TIE	32	32
Vs U.P. Yoddha	WON	46	24
Vs Gujarat Fortunegiants	LOST	25	36
Vs Puneri Paltan	WON	36	31
TOTAL	2-1-2	161	159

Stats from the last five matches:

Average points scored: 32.2

Average points conceded: 31.8

Best Raider: Ajay Thakur

Best Defender: Manjeet Chhillar

Telugu Titans	RESULT(W-T-L)	POINTS SCORED	POINTS CONCEDED
Vs Puneri Paltan	WON	28	25
Vs Bengal Warriors	LOST	25	30
Vs U.P. Yoddha	TIE	26	26
Vs Patna Pirates	WON	53	32
Vs U Mumba	LOST	20	41
TOTAL	2-1-2	152	154

Stats from the last five matches:

Average points scored: 30.4

Average points conceded: 30.8

Best Raider: Rahul Chaudhari

Best Defender: Abozar Mojahermighani

The big battle-

Ajay Thakur vs. Vishal Bhardwaj

Tamil Thalaivas captain Ajay Thakur has been inspirational for his side in Season 6. The mercurial raider has clocked up 109 raid points, 75 more than the next best tally by a Tamil Thalaivas player. He ranks fourth in the race for Best Raider and has been consistently brilliant in offence.

Telugu Titans captain Vishal Bhardwaj’s performances at the Left Corner position in Season 6 have cemented his place as one of VIVO Pro Kabaddi’s star defenders. Bhardwaj has clocked up 26 tackle points in just six appearances so far and leads the league in average tackle points with 4.33. In his last outing, Bhardwaj scored a mammoth nine tackle points in just eight attempts, en route to leading his team to a massive win over defending champions Patna Pirates.

Key Khiladi –

Amit Hooda - Tamil Thalaivas

Right Corner Amit Hooda’s return to form has been a huge impetus for Tamil Thalaivas. The 22-year old ranks second among all Tamil Thalaivas players in tackle points with 28 to his name. He was brilliant in his side’s 46-24 win over U.P. Yoddha, scoring six tackle points in just seven attempts on the night. A repeat of that performance is what Tamil Thalaivas will be hopeful for from their brilliant Right Corner.

Abozar Mohajermighani - Telugu Titans

Speaking of brilliant Right Corners, there have few better than Abozar Mighani in Season 6 of VIVO Pro Kabaddi. With 31 tackle points in just eight games, Abozar leads the league in average tackle points by a Right Corner with 3.88. Among players with more than 20 tackle points, his successful tackle percentage of 68% also ranks the best. A master of the Thigh Hold, Mighani is capable of single-handedly bringing down any raider by himself, making him a potent weapon in defence for his side.