U Mumba and Haryana Steelers are set to face off in Match 98 of PKL Season 12 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi, in a crucial battle for the Top-8. Both sides enter the contest with identical 8-7 records, but Haryana Steelers hold the edge at 5th place, while U Mumba sit 6th.
After a hard-fought win over Telugu Titans, U Mumba aim to maintain momentum, whereas Haryana Steelers arrive on the back of two consecutive victories, including a dominant performance against UP Yoddhas. Fans can expect an intense showdown as two of the league’s most consistent defensive units collide.
Probable Lineups
U Mumba:
- Right Corner – Rinku
- Right In – A Zafardanesh
- Right Cover – Sunil Kumar (C)
- Centre – Sandeep
- Left Cover – Parvesh Bhainswal
- Left In – Ajit Chouhan
- Left Corner – Vijay Kumar
Haryana Steelers:
- Right Corner – Rahul Sethpal
- Right In – Shivam Patare
- Right Cover – Neeraj
- Centre – Sahil Narwal
- Left Cover – Jaideep (C)
- Left In – Vinay
- Left Corner – Hardeep
Key Headlines
- Both teams boast elite defensive units at the top of the league.
- U Mumba and Haryana Steelers are neck-and-neck in the Top-8 race.
- Ajit Chouhan is back in form for U Mumba after injury.
- Shivam Patare scored 15 raid points in Haryana’s last match.
- Jaideep continues his dream run, with consecutive High 5s in defence.
Defensive Strengths in Focus
U Mumba Defence
U Mumba’s defence has been pivotal this season, with Sunil Kumar and Rinku leading the charge. The duo has consistently delivered high tackle points, often exceeding 10 tackle points per match in recent games.
- Sunil Kumar: 41 tackle points, 55% strike rate, 4 High 5s
- Rinku: 35 tackle points, 47% strike rate, 2 High 5s
Their recent form:
- vs Telugu Titans: 26 tackles, 14 points
- vs UP Yoddhas: 25 tackles, 11 points
- vs Bengal Warriorz: 31 tackles, 16 points
The resurgence of Sunil Kumar after a slow start has been crucial for U Mumba’s Top-8 push, providing stability in defence even as their raiding remains inconsistent.
Haryana Steelers Defence
Haryana Steelers have one of the best defensive records in the league, led by Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal. Jaideep has scored 54 tackle points at a 65% strike rate, including 11 super tackles this season—the highest in PKL 12.
- Jaideep: 54 tackle points, 65% strike rate, 11 super tackles
- Rahul Sethpal: 39 tackle points, 52% strike rate
Their defence has been directly correlated with victories, maintaining a tackle strike rate above 50% in wins, including a remarkable 19 tackle points against UP Yoddhas at 76% SR. Haryana’s defensive consistency gives them a clear edge over U Mumba.
Raiding Battles
U Mumba Raiders
Ajit Chouhan and Sandeep form U Mumba’s primary raiding duo:
- Ajit Chouhan: Back-to-back Super 10s, strong in 6-7 defender scenarios, weaker in 4-5 defenders (18% strike rate)
- Sandeep: First 100-point season, powerful in early intervals, struggles in compact defence
Support raiders Anil and A Zafardanesh have struggled this season, maintaining strike rates below 40%. U Mumba will rely heavily on Ajit and Sandeep to break Haryana’s formidable defence.
Haryana Steelers Raiders
Haryana’s raiding is led by Shivam Patare and Vinay, both having crossed the 100-point mark this season. Together, they contribute roughly 67% of the team’s raid points, making them a formidable challenge for U Mumba’s defence.
- Shivam Patare: 121 raid points, 62% strike rate, excels in all DIP situations
- Vinay: 102 raid points, 47% strike rate, strong in opening and closing intervals
Support raiders have limited impact but maintain high strike rates in limited raids, showing depth in key moments.
Head-to-Head
- Total Matches: 18 | U Mumba: 7 | Haryana Steelers: 9 | Tied: 2
- Haryana Steelers unbeaten in the last 6 encounters (5 wins, 1 tie)
- Recent PKL 12 meeting: Haryana won via tie-breaker
The Steelers’ dominance in historical matchups provides a psychological advantage heading into this clash.
Match Analysis
This fixture is a Top-8 decider, with Haryana Steelers enjoying momentum and historical superiority. U Mumba’s defence has improved, but their raiding limitations—particularly in compact situations—pose a concern.
- Key battle: U Mumba’s Ajit Chouhan vs Haryana’s Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal
- Potential advantage: Haryana’s Shivam Patare and Vinay have favorable head-to-heads against U Mumba defenders
If U Mumba’s raiders maintain form and the defence continues its streak of high tackle points, an upset is possible. However, Haryana Steelers’ overall balance and defensive prowess make them favourites.
Match Details
- Fixture: U Mumba vs Haryana Steelers – Match 98, PKL Season 12
- Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025
- Time: 8:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi