The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 heats up as two former finalists — Patna Pirates and Haryana Steelers — face off in Match 81 at Delhi’s Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. For the struggling Pirates, currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the clash represents a final opportunity to revive their fading playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Steelers, seventh in the standings, are determined to bounce back after a disastrous Chennai leg and reassert their credentials as top-six contenders.
Probable Starting 7
Patna Pirates
- Right Corner – Navdeep
- Right In – Ankit Kumar
- Right Cover – Deepak Singh
- Centre – Sudhakar M
- Left Cover – Balaji D
- Left In – Ayan
- Left Corner – Ankit (C)
Haryana Steelers
- Right Corner – Rahul Sethpal
- Right In – Shivam Patare
- Right Cover – Neeraj
- Centre – Vishal Tate
- Left Cover – Jaideep (C)
- Left In – Vinay
- Left Corner – Hardeep
Key Storylines
- PKL 11 finalists fighting contrasting battles to reach playoffs
- Ayan’s sensational form remains Patna’s lone lifeline
- Jaideep’s defensive consistency defines Haryana’s backbone
- Shivam Patare and Vinay continue to power the Steelers’ raid engine
- Pirates’ defence desperate for redemption after a forgettable season
Ayan – The Lone Beacon in Patna’s Struggles
For the Patna Pirates, the season may have been marred by inconsistency, but Ayan’s brilliance continues to shine through the gloom. With 135 raid points in 11 matches at a remarkable 70% success rate, the young star stands as PKL 12’s third-best raider, producing seven Super 10s along the way.
Ayan has single-handedly carried the Pirates’ attack, contributing more than half (53%) of the team’s total raid points. His situational awareness and ability to adapt against varying defensive setups have been exceptional — particularly against full-strength defences (6–7 defenders), where he boasts a 79% success rate.
His temperament in Do-or-Die raids has also been extraordinary, scoring 18 points from 19 such raids at a 95% strike rate, ranking only behind Ashu Malik league-wide.
Ayan’s Form in Last Four Matches
- vs Tamil Thalaivas – 16 points (84% SR)
- vs UP Yoddhas – 15 points (71% SR)
- vs Telugu Titans – 13 points (81% SR)
- vs Bengal Warriorz – 15 points (83% SR)
However, his toughest challenge awaits in the form of Haryana captain Jaideep, who has dismissed him six times in PKL history — four of those coming this season alone.
Jaideep – Haryana’s Defensive Commander
If Ayan is the soul of Patna’s attack, Jaideep is the heart of Haryana’s defence. The Steelers’ captain has been in superb form, registering 42 tackle points in 13 matches with a 62% success rate — his best-ever campaign.
He sits joint-second among PKL 12 defenders, trailing only Saurabh Nandal, and has already delivered four High 5s this season. His timing in super tackles has been impeccable — leading the league with eight, a testament to his ability to turn matches from tight situations.
Jaideep’s Last 5 Matches
- vs Telugu Titans – 3 points (50% SR)
- vs Dabang Delhi – 2 points (67% SR)
- vs Tamil Thalaivas – 5 points (63% SR)
- vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – 1 point (25% SR)
- vs Dabang Delhi – 7 points (100% SR, High 5)
Against the Pirates, Jaideep has been particularly effective, recording 32 tackle points in 10 matches — including a High 5 in this season’s earlier meeting.
Patna Pirates – Searching for Stability
The Pirates’ campaign has been a story of unfulfilled potential. With just three wins in 11 matches, last season’s runners-up have failed to find rhythm. Despite their offensive efficiency — second-best raid average (23.0) in the league — their defence has completely collapsed.
Defensive Decline
- PKL 11: 277 tackle points (11.1 avg, 47% SR)
- PKL 12: 89 tackle points (8.1 avg, 32% SR)
Skipper Ankit and Navdeep have been the team’s most reliable stoppers, combining for 53 tackle points and all three of the team’s High 5s. Both have improved in recent matches, with Ankit recording two High 5s in his last six outings.
Interestingly, both defenders rely heavily on ankle holds, a technique that could prove crucial against Vinay and Shivam Patare — Haryana’s raiders who have been dismissed 15 times each by that very move this season.
Haryana Steelers – Looking to End Their Losing Streak
The Steelers’ Chennai leg was nothing short of disastrous, with five consecutive defeats wiping away the momentum built earlier in the campaign. Despite that slump, their strong performances in Vizag and Jaipur still keep them in playoff contention with six wins from thirteen games.
Steelers by Venue
- Vizag: 2 wins from 4 matches
- Jaipur: 4 wins from 4 matches
- Chennai: 0 wins from 5 matches
While the defence faltered in Chennai (35% SR), their raiding unit remains one of the league’s best, averaging 22.4 raid points per match.
Shivam Patare & Vinay – The Dual Threat
Haryana’s raiding duo of Shivam Patare and Vinay continues to impress, combining speed with strategic precision.
- Vinay: 95 raid points (7.9 avg, 52% SR, 4 Super 10s)
- Shivam Patare: 96 raid points (7.4 avg, 59% SR, 3 Super 10s)
Patare’s composure against full-strength defences has been a standout feature, scoring 63 points at 66% SR against 6–7 defenders. In the reverse fixture, he tormented Patna’s defence with 13 raid points at 76% success rate — a performance the Pirates will be eager to avoid repeating.
Head-to-Head: Steelers in Command
The historical numbers favour Haryana Steelers, who have won nine of the fifteen encounters against Patna, including five consecutive victories across the last three seasons.
Last Five Meetings
- PKL 12: Steelers won 43–32
- PKL 11 Final: Steelers won 32–23
- PKL 11 (M#96): Steelers won 42–36
- PKL 11 (M#52): Steelers won 37–32
- PKL 10: Steelers won 39–32
What to Expect
This clash shapes up as a battle of desperation versus redemption. Patna Pirates will rely heavily on Ayan’s explosive raiding to keep their playoff hopes alive, but their porous defence must rise to the occasion against Haryana’s balanced attack.
For the Steelers, captain Jaideep’s duel with Ayan could determine the outcome. If Haryana’s defence holds its structure while Shivam and Vinay maintain raiding consistency, the visitors could complete the double over their rivals and reestablish themselves in the playoff race.
Prediction: Haryana Steelers to edge Patna Pirates in a close but decisive encounter, powered by Jaideep’s defensive brilliance and a composed raiding display.
Match Details
- Fixture: Patna Pirates vs Haryana Steelers – Match 81, PKL Season 12
- Date: Monday, 13 October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi