The Patna Pirates take on the Tamil Thalaivas in Match 69 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai. With both teams desperate for momentum, this clash promises to be a showdown between two sides heavily reliant on their superstars — Ayan for Patna and Arjun Deshwal for Tamil Thalaivas.
Patna arrive after a crucial win over UP Yoddhas, lifting themselves from the bottom of the table, while Tamil Thalaivas look to bounce back from a narrow loss against Bengaluru Bulls.
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)
Tamil Thalaivas
- Right Corner – Arulnanthababu
- Right In – Arjun Deshwal (C)
- Right Cover – Ronak
- Centre – Rohit Beniwal
- Left Cover – Ashish
- Left In – Yogesh Yadav
- Left Corner – Nitesh Kumar
Key Headlines
- Arjun Deshwal: The one-man raiding army for Thalaivas
- Ayan emerging as Pirates’ shining light
- Patna’s defence finally showing signs of life
- Nitesh Kumar closing in on 50 tackle points milestone
- Supporting raiders could decide the outcome
Star Watch
Arjun Deshwal – Carrying Tamil Thalaivas Alone
Arjun has been sensational with 127 raid points in 12 matches at an average of 10.6 and a 54% strike rate. He’s scored seven Super 10s but has carried 57% of Thalaivas’ raid points, highlighting the team’s over-dependence.
- In wins: 15.4 raid points average, 63% strike rate
- In losses: 7.1 raid points average, 45% strike rate
Against Patna, his record is outstanding: 102 raid points in 9 matches (11.3 average, 68% strike rate, 5 Super 10s). If he fires, Thalaivas thrive — if not, their struggles deepen.
Ayan – The Pirates’ Lone Warrior
For Patna, Ayan has been equally vital, collecting 119 raid points in 10 matches at an average of 11.9 and 68% strike rate. He has six Super 10s, including a 15-point show against UP Yoddhas.
- In wins: 13.0 raid points average, 70% strike rate
- In losses: 11.4 raid points average, 68% strike rate
Unlike Arjun, Ayan’s form remains consistent even in defeats. His head-to-head with Nitesh Kumar will be the contest to watch.
Patna Pirates’ Defence – Can They Build on Momentum?
Patna’s defence finally clicked in the win over UP Yoddhas, producing 13 tackle points at 48% strike rate. The corner duo of Ankit (28 tackle points) and Navdeep (22 points) showed promise, with Navdeep delivering a perfect High 5.
But weaknesses remain in cover positions: Deepak Singh (34% strike rate) and Sanket Sawant (19%) remain vulnerable — something Arjun Deshwal can exploit.
Nitesh Kumar – The Wall of Tamil Thalaivas
Tamil Thalaivas’ captain and left corner, Nitesh Kumar, has been the standout defender of PKL 12. With 46 tackle points at 59% strike rate and four High 5s, he leads the league’s defenders.
He needs just 4 more tackle points to become the first player this season to reach 50 tackle points. His battle against Ayan could tilt the game’s outcome.
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 16
- Patna Pirates Wins: 9
- Tamil Thalaivas Wins: 4
- Tied: 3
The Pirates have dominated historically, including two narrow wins over the Thalaivas in PKL 11. However, the Thalaivas’ current form and defensive strength give them confidence.
What to Expect
This clash is set to be a duel between Arjun Deshwal and Ayan, with Nitesh Kumar’s defensive brilliance likely deciding the winner.
- If Patna’s defence repeats its UP Yoddhas performance, they have a real chance.
- If Tamil Thalaivas find support raiders for Arjun, their balance could prove decisive.
Expect a closely contested, high-intensity game, where one moment of brilliance from Arjun, Ayan, or Nitesh could be the difference.
Match Details
- Match: Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas – Match 69, PKL Season 12
- Date: Tuesday, 7th October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai