Delhi’s Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium sets the stage for a pivotal clash at the bottom of the PKL 12 table as 11th-placed Bengal Warriorz host last-placed Patna Pirates in Match 91. The spotlight shines on the league’s premier raider, Dhaakad Devank, as he confronts his former team and ex-partner in crime, Ayan, in a contest crucial for both sides’ survival hopes.
Probable Lineups
Bengal Warriorz
- Right Corner: Ankit
- Right In: Devank (C)
- Right Cover: Shivansh Thakur
- Centre: Himanshu Narwal
- Left Cover: Parteek
- Left In: Manjeet
- Left Corner: Ashish
Patna Pirates
- Right Corner: Navdeep
- Right In: Mandeep Kumar
- Right Cover: Vaibhav Garje
- Centre: Sudhakar M
- Left Cover: Balaji D
- Left In: Ayan (C)
- Left Corner: Ashish Birwal
Dhaakad Devank – A Season of Records
Devank continues to set new benchmarks in PKL 12, consolidating his status as the league’s most dominant raider. With 237 raid points in 14 matches, an average of 16.9 per game, and a 73% success rate, he has achieved 14 consecutive Super 10s, surpassing his previous PKL 11 record. Only Naveen Kumar’s 28 consecutive Super 10s remains ahead historically.
Key milestones this season:
- Fastest player to 200 raid points in a single season
- Fastest to 500 career raid points in PKL history
- Only raider without a single match below 10 raid points
Devank has dominated across every phase of play:
- 1–10 mins: 62 points (70% SR)
- 11–20 mins: 52 points (72% SR)
- 21–30 mins: 60 points (71% SR)
- 31–40 mins: 63 points (79% SR)
His psychological edge over Patna Pirates is evident—he scored 22 raid points at 85% success in their last PKL 12 encounter (M#51), guiding Bengal to a 48-42 win.
Ayan – The Lone Ranger for Patna Pirates
While Devank spearheads Bengal, Ayan carries Patna Pirates’ attack, contributing more than half of the team’s total raid points this season. With 169 raid points, 9 Super 10s, and a 68% success rate, his consistency has been the Pirates’ only reliable weapon.
Ayan has excelled across Defenders-in-Play (DIP) situations, adapting to both full lines and super tackle scenarios:
- 6–7 defenders: 114 points (79% SR)
- 4–5 defenders: 33 points (45% SR)
- 2–3 defenders: 21 points (70% SR)
The reunion with Devank adds an emotional layer, recalling their dominant partnership in PKL 11 before Devank’s switch to Bengal.
Bengal Warriorz – Struggling Defences
Despite Devank’s heroics, Bengal’s defensive frailties are glaring. The team averages just 9.1 tackle points per match with a 32% success rate, the lowest in the league. Only Ashish has been a consistent performer, contributing 42 tackle points and 6 High 5s, while the supporting raiders have largely underperformed.
Defensive highlights:
- Wins (5 matches): 13.0 average tackle points
- Losses (9 matches): 6.9 average tackle points
- Key defender Ashish: 3.2 average per match
Bengal’s survival depends on whether their supporting cast can step up alongside Devank.
Patna Pirates – Defensive Woes Continue
Patna sit at the bottom with only 4 wins from 14 matches. Their defence, averaging 8.2 tackle points (33% SR), mirrors Bengal’s struggles. While corner duo Ankit and Navdeep contribute significantly, the remainder of the defensive line has been inconsistent.
Recent defensive form:
- vs Bengaluru Bulls: 6 points (24% SR)
- vs Gujarat Giants: 10 points (42% SR)
- vs Haryana Steelers: 10 points (45% SR)
The Pirates’ playoff hopes rely heavily on Ayan’s performance and whether their defence can rise to the occasion.
Head-to-Head History
- Total PKL Matches: 26
- Bengal Warriorz Wins: 7
- Patna Pirates Wins: 16
- Tied: 3
Although history favours Patna, Bengal claimed victory in their PKL 12 meeting (M#51). The bottom-of-the-table clash promises a tightly contested battle.
Key Battles to Watch
- Devank vs Patna Defenders: Deepak, Navdeep, Ankit
- Ayan vs Bengal Defenders: Parteek, Manjeet, Ankit
The match will likely hinge on whether Devank’s clutch raiding or Ayan’s consistency can dominate amid both teams’ defensive frailties.
What to Expect
Expect a high-intensity, raider-led encounter where individual brilliance may overshadow team strategies. Bengal Warriorz rely heavily on Devank, while Patna Pirates depend on Ayan. The team whose supporting cast rises to the occasion will likely secure a crucial bottom-table victory.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Bengal Warriorz vs Patna Pirates – Match 91, PKL 12
- Date: Friday, 17th October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi