UP Yoddhas will lock horns with the in-form Telugu Titans in Match 65 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday evening. While the Yoddhas are desperate to bounce back after back-to-back defeats, the Titans arrive with momentum on their side, riding a three-match winning streak.
Titans’ Raiding Duo in Red-Hot Form
The Titans’ resurgence this season has been powered by the unstoppable pairing of Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda, who together contribute more than 80% of the team’s raid points.
- Vijay Malik has been the Titans’ talisman, averaging 8.4 raid points per game at a 50% strike rate. His consistency is underlined by four Super 10s in 11 matches.
- Bharat Hooda, meanwhile, has evolved into a lethal second option, averaging 8.2 raid points with a 56% strike rate. His sharp improvement in Do-or-Die raids has been one of the standout stories of PKL 12, converting 67% of his opportunities this season compared to just 42% last year.
This tactical split—Malik dominating the first half and Bharat finishing strongly in the second—has helped the Titans close out games with authority. Against UP Yoddhas, Malik’s personal record is impressive, having scored 37 raid points in three matches since PKL 11, including a match-winning 14-point effort earlier this season.
Sumit Holds the Key for Yoddhas’ Defence
For UP Yoddhas, the defensive spotlight once again falls on skipper Sumit, who has been their most reliable performer this season. With 33 tackle points in 10 matches at a strike rate of 59%, including three High 5s, Sumit has been the backbone of an otherwise inconsistent unit.
What makes him crucial against the Titans is his record in Do-or-Die tackles—he leads all defenders this season with 14 points at 67% strike rate in such situations. His ability to dismiss raiders through ankle and thigh holds matches well with the weaknesses of Malik and Bharat, both of whom have been undone repeatedly by these techniques.
In fact, in the reverse fixture, Sumit delivered his best performance of PKL 12 with eight tackle points at 80% strike rate, neutralising both Titans’ raiders twice. The Yoddhas will need a repeat of that defensive brilliance to halt the Titans’ charge.
Gagan Gowda – Yoddhas’ Lone Raider
While Titans boast a two-pronged raiding attack, the Yoddhas are heavily dependent on Gagan Gowda. The star raider has scored 100 raid points at an average of 10 per game, contributing nearly half of his team’s total raid points.
What stands out is his exceptional 71% raid strike rate, second only to Devank in PKL 12, along with his dominance in the final quarter of matches, where he maintains a 100% strike rate. Against the Titans, Gagan has an impressive history, with 36 raid points in three games since PKL 10, including 14 points earlier this season.
However, the lack of support is glaring—Bhavani Rajput (43 raid points) and Guman Singh (28 raid points) have failed to step up consistently. Unless one of them eases the burden, Gagan risks being outnumbered by the Titans’ revitalised defence.
Titans’ Defensive Transformation
Last season, the Titans’ defence was their biggest weakness. This year, it has become a strength. Ankit, with 27 tackle points at 47% strike rate, has led the revival, while Shubham Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and Avi Duhan have all maintained strike rates above 45%.
The unit’s cohesion has been evident, with Ankit’s assist tally (29) highlighting the improved teamwork. In their last five matches, the Titans have crossed 10 tackle points in three games and maintained strike rates above 45% in four, giving their raiders the freedom to attack without hesitation.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, UP Yoddhas dominate this rivalry with 12 wins in 17 meetings, while the Titans have managed just three victories. The Yoddhas also edged out the Titans 40–35 earlier this season, thanks to stellar performances from Gagan and Sumit.
Yet, the current form paints a contrasting picture—the Titans are flying high in third place, while the Yoddhas languish in ninth with four wins from 10 matches.
What to Expect
This clash promises a battle of contrasts—form vs history, balance vs dependence. The Titans’ raiding duo and improved defence make them favourites on paper, but the Yoddhas’ reliance on Gagan and Sumit’s proven record against Telugu cannot be ignored.
The result could hinge on whether the Yoddhas’ secondary raiders step up and if Sumit can once again outwit Malik and Bharat. For the Titans, maintaining their defensive discipline and capitalising on Gagan’s lone-battle approach will be key.
Expect a tight contest where individual brilliance and clutch moments may decide the outcome.
Match Details
- Match: UP Yoddhas vs Telugu Titans – Match 65, PKL Season 12
- Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai