As the playoff race intensifies, Match 55 of PKL Season 12 promises fireworks as Telugu Titans host Patna Pirates. Both sides are fighting for crucial wins to strengthen their playoff bids, but contrasting strategies make this clash particularly intriguing.
The Titans rely on a dynamic raiding partnership, while the Pirates lean heavily on Ayan’s individual brilliance. With playoff spots hanging in the balance, both teams know a win is non-negotiable.
Probable Starting Lineups
Telugu Titans
- Right Corner: Shubham Shinde
- Right In: Bharat
- Right Cover: Avi Duhan
- Centre: Chetan Sahu
- Left Cover: Ajit Pawar
- Left In (C): Vijay Malik
- Left Corner: Ankit
Patna Pirates
- Right Corner: Navdeep
- Right In: Maninder Singh
- Right Cover: Deepak Singh
- Centre: Ankit Kumar
- Left Cover: Sanket Sawant
- Left In: Ayan
- Left Corner (C): Ankit
Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda: Titans’ Dynamic Duo
Telugu Titans’ success this season has been powered by Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda, who together account for 81% of the team’s raid points, making them one of PKL 12’s most formidable raiding partnerships.
Performance Snapshot:
- Vijay Malik: 80 raid points (49% SR, 3 Super 10s, 34 bonus points)
- Bharat Hooda: 82 raid points (56% SR, 4 Super 10s)
Vijay Malik’s mastery of bonus points stands out, contributing over half of his points in four of his last five matches. However, his recent second-half decline (34% SR in last 5 matches) could be a concern. Bharat Hooda complements him perfectly, maintaining consistent performance across both halves with a second-half success rate of 63%.
Their captaincy duel with Patna skipper Ankit adds further intrigue, currently level at 3-3 in PKL encounters.
Telugu Titans: Season So Far
Recent Results:
- Won 30–29 vs Gujarat Giants
- Won 43–29 vs Tamil Thalaivas
- Lost 29–33 vs Dabang Delhi K.C.
- Lost 32–34 vs Bengaluru Bulls
- Lost 33–39 vs Puneri Paltan
With a 5-5 record, the Titans sit 4th, comfortably in playoff contention. Their defensive unit is proving effective, averaging 10.5 tackle points per match at 44% success rate, and raiders like Bharat and Chetan Sahu even contribute defensively.
Support Raiders Need to Rise:
Without Malik and Hooda, support raiders are contributing just 3.8 points per match, highlighting the team’s dependency on the duo. For a deeper playoff run, other raiders must step up.
Patna Pirates: Struggling Three-Time Champions
Recent Results:
- Lost 42–48 vs Bengal Warriorz
- Won 33–30 vs Dabang Delhi K.C.
- Lost 32–43 vs Haryana Steelers
- Lost 39–40 vs U Mumba
- Won 48–37 vs Puneri Paltan
The Pirates sit second-last with only 2 wins in 8 matches, marking one of their worst starts in recent seasons. Their defensive frailties are glaring, averaging just 8.75 tackle points per match at 35% success rate, ranking among the league’s weakest.
Raiders Ayan and Maninder Singh Carry Hopes:
- Ayan: 91 raid points in 8 matches, 4 Super 10s, ~50% of team’s raid points
- Maninder Singh: 39 raid points in 5 matches, 2 Super 10s
The challenge lies in maintaining form and fitness for both while patching up defensive gaps.
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches: 25 | Patna Pirates – 13 | Telugu Titans – 11 | Tied – 1
- Recent Form:
- PKL 11 M#120: Pirates won 41–37
- PKL 11 M#22: Titans won 28–26
- PKL 10 M#119: Pirates won 38–36
Historically, the Pirates have dominated, but the Titans’ current form and dynamic duo could swing the match in their favour.
Key Player Battles
Titans Raiders vs Pirates Defenders:
- Vijay Malik 3–3 Ankit
- Vijay Malik 5–1 Sanket Sawant
- Bharat 5–2 Sanket Sawant
Pirates Raiders vs Titans Defenders:
- Maninder Singh 4–3 Shubham Shinde
- Maninder Singh 3–0 Ajit Pawar
- Ayan 2–3 Ankit
What to Expect
This clash presents a battle of balance versus individual brilliance. The Titans’ coordinated attack and strong defence will test the Pirates’ reliance on Ayan and Maninder. Expect a high-scoring, fast-paced encounter, with secondary contributions likely deciding the outcome.
Match Details:
- Event: Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates – Match 55, PKL Season 12
- Date: Tuesday, 30th September 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai