UP Yoddhas and Patna Pirates clash in Match 68 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 at the SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai, in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. Both teams are struggling, but their objectives differ sharply: Yoddhas aim to revive their playoff hopes from 9th place, while bottom-placed Pirates are fighting to keep their season alive.
Probable Lineups
UP Yoddhas
- Right Corner: Hitesh
- Right In: Bhavani Rajput
- Right Cover: Ashu Singh
- Centre: Shivam Chaudhary
- Left Cover: Mahender Singh
- Left In: Gagan Gowda
- Left Corner: Sumit (C)
Patna Pirates
- Right Corner: Hamid Mirzaeinader
- Right In: Maninder Singh
- Right Cover: Deepak Singh
- Centre: Sudhakar M
- Left Cover: Balaji D
- Left In: Ayan
- Left Corner: Ankit (C)
UP Yoddhas’ Raiding Woes: Too Dependent on Gagan Gowda
Gagan Gowda has been the cornerstone of the Yoddhas’ raiding unit, accounting for 43% of their total raid points this season. His recent form slump against Telugu Titans, scoring just 1 raid point, exposed the team’s over-reliance on his brilliance.
Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh offered sparks of hope with 16 and 9 raid points respectively, but their inconsistency remains a concern. Statistically, the Yoddhas average 21.2 raid points per match at a 50% strike rate, masking a fragile structure overly dependent on Gagan’s exploits.
Key Stats – UP Yoddhas Raiders
- Gagan Gowda: 101 points (9.2 avg, 69% SR, 5 Super 10s)
- Bhavani Rajput: 59 points (5.4 avg, 45% SR)
- Guman Singh: 36 points (4.0 avg, 46% SR)
Gagan’s record against Patna Pirates is impressive: 32 raid points in 5 matches with a 67% strike rate, making him a key player to watch as the Yoddhas chase a crucial win.
Yoddhas Defence: Sumit Needs Support
While their raiding unit has star power, UP Yoddhas’ defence has faltered in recent matches. Captain Sumit’s consecutive zero-point performances against Dabang Delhi and Telugu Titans highlight the team’s defensive instability.
Supporting defenders Ashu Singh and Hitesh have contributed moderately, but Mahender Singh’s struggles leave the defence vulnerable. Against Patna Pirates’ limited raiding threats, a fully functional Yoddhas defence could prove decisive if Sumit regains form.
Recent Form – Sumit
- M#65 vs Telugu Titans: 0 points
- M#61 vs Dabang Delhi: 0 points
- M#53 vs Gujarat Giants: 4 points
Patna Pirates’ Defensive Collapse
Patna Pirates’ campaign has been defined by defensive frailty. With just 73 tackle points in 9 matches at 33% strike rate, their defence is the second worst in the league. Only captain Ankit has delivered consistent performances, leaving the rest of the unit struggling under pressure.
Pirates’ Defence – Key Stats
- Ankit: 25 points (2.8 avg, 48% SR, 2 High 5s)
- Deepak Singh: 12 points (1.3 avg, 29% SR)
- Sanket Sawant: 5 points (0.6 avg, 19% SR)
If Patna hopes to challenge Yoddhas, their defenders must exceed their season’s best tackle output – a tall order given their current form.
Ayan: The Lone Raider
Ayan has been the Pirates’ only consistent performer, scoring 104 raid points at 68% strike rate with five Super 10s in nine matches. He contributes over half of Patna’s total raid points, highlighting the enormous burden he carries in the absence of support from Maninder Singh.
While Ayan has a positive record against Yoddhas defenders, his effectiveness depends on receiving adequate support. If he operates in isolation again, even his elite skill may not be enough to secure a win.
Team Form and Recent Results
UP Yoddhas (4 wins, 11 matches, 9th place)
- M#65 vs Telugu Titans: Lost 35–40
- M#61 vs Dabang Delhi: Lost 26–43
- M#53 vs Gujarat Giants: Lost 27–33
- M#49 vs Bengaluru Bulls: Won 36–36 (tie-breaker 6–5)
- M#46 vs Tamil Thalaivas: Won 39–22
Patna Pirates (2 wins, 9 matches, 12th place)
- M#55 vs Telugu Titans: Lost 28–37
- M#51 vs Bengal Warriorz: Lost 42–48
- M#43 vs Dabang Delhi: Won 33–30
- M#38 vs Haryana Steelers: Lost 32–43
- M#27 vs U Mumba: Lost 39–40
Head-to-Head History
- Matches: 18 | UP Yoddhas – 7 | Patna Pirates – 10 | Tied – 1
- Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):
- PKL 12 M#7: Yoddhas 34–31 Pirates
- PKL 11 M#74: Yoddhas 44–42 Pirates
- PKL 11 M#29: Pirates 42–37 Yoddhas
- PKL 10 M#79: Pirates 34–31 Yoddhas
- PKL 10 M#52: Pirates 48–41 Yoddhas
While Patna holds the historical edge, recent encounters and current form favor the Yoddhas.
Key Battles to Watch
- Gagan Gowda vs Ankit & Pirates Defence: Yoddhas’ top raider aims to exploit Patna’s fragile defensive line.
- Ayan vs Sumit & Yoddhas Defence: The Pirates’ star raider must overcome inconsistent defence to deliver a win.
- Supporting Cast Impact: Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh for Yoddhas; Maninder Singh for Pirates could determine the outcome.
Match Outlook
This encounter is a high-stakes clash between two struggling teams. Expect a competitive but error-prone game, where individual brilliance may decide the winner. If Gagan Gowda and Sumit regain form, UP Yoddhas’ depth gives them the upper hand. Conversely, if Ayan receives support from Maninder Singh, the Pirates could stage a stunning upset.
Match Details
- Fixture: UP Yoddhas vs Patna Pirates – Match 68, PKL 12
- Date: Monday, 6th October 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai