The Bengaluru Bulls and UP Yoddhas lock horns in Match 49 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 at the SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur. Both sides enter this clash on the back of much-needed wins, but their season narratives couldn’t be more contrasting. The Bulls have transformed themselves from early strugglers into genuine contenders, while the Yoddhas are desperate to stitch together consecutive victories to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Gagan Gowda’s Brilliance vs Bulls’ Defensive Wall
UP Yoddhas’ hopes rest heavily on Gagan Gowda, who has been nothing short of sensational this season. The raider leads the league with a 74% raid success rate among players with 30+ raid points and has already delivered 76 raid points in just 7 matches, including four Super 10s.
More impressively, Gowda has emerged as the league’s best “closer,” boasting a 110% raid success rate in the final 10 minutes, underlining his ability to deliver under pressure.
But standing in his way is the Bengaluru Bulls’ revitalized defence. The trio of Yogesh (captain), Deepak Sankar, and Sanjay have redefined the Bulls’ campaign with their collective discipline and high success rates. In matches they’ve won this season, the Bulls’ defence averages 12.2 tackle points with a 51% success rate, compared to just 8.2 in losses. Yogesh’s captaincy has been a turning point—winning 5 of 6 matches as leader, while Sankar has stepped up with a 57% tackle success rate to cover for the absence of Ankush Rathee.
Yoddhas’ Over-Reliance and the Need for Support
While Gowda is carrying the Yoddhas’ raiding unit, his supporting cast has been inconsistent. Bhavani Rajput, Guman Singh, and Shivam Chaudhary have shown flashes of ability, but their lack of regular contributions leaves the team vulnerable if Gowda is contained.
The recent emergence of Shivam Chaudhary, who impressed against Tamil Thalaivas with 5 raid points, offers a glimmer of hope that UP’s attack can be more than just a one-man show.
Bulls’ Attack Gains Depth
For the Bulls, the return of Aashish Malik and Akash Shinde has added depth to their offensive arsenal alongside the ever-consistent Alireza Mirzaian, who already has 73 raid points with 5 Super 10s this season.
Alireza’s ability in Do-or-Die raids (14 points at 70% SR) gives Bengaluru an edge in crunch moments, while Shinde’s encouraging record against the Yoddhas (30 raid points at 57% SR) could play a decisive role.
Recent Form
- Bengaluru Bulls (last 5 matches): W, L, W, W, W
- UP Yoddhas (last 5 matches): W, L, L, L, L
The Bulls have found their rhythm after a shaky start, while the Yoddhas’ season continues to be defined by inconsistency, despite their big win over Tamil Thalaivas.
Head-to-Head Record
- Overall: Bengaluru Bulls – 9 wins | UP Yoddhas – 8 wins | Tied – 0
- Last 5 Meetings: Yoddhas 3 – 2 Bulls
While history shows a balanced rivalry, recent encounters tilt towards the Yoddhas, who dominated both meetings last season.
This clash promises to be a battle of philosophies—the Bulls relying on collective defensive strength, while the Yoddhas depend on Gowda’s individual brilliance. If Bengaluru can limit Gowda’s impact, their balanced raiding unit could overwhelm UP’s inconsistent defence. But if Gowda finds his rhythm and the Yoddhas’ secondary raiders step up, an upset could be on the cards.
Match Details
- Match: Bengaluru Bulls vs UP Yoddhas – Match 49, PKL 12
- Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur