As Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 enters its decisive phase, bottom-ranked Bengal Warriorz face a spirited Jaipur Pink Panthers in Match 96 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi. With both teams fighting to stay in the playoff race, the spotlight will be firmly on star raider Devank, who is set to clash against Jaipur’s returning talisman Nitin Kumar and the in-form Ali Samadi.
Warriorz Rely on Devank’s Brilliance, but Defence Crumbles
No player has dominated PKL 12 like Devank. With a staggering 262 raid points in just 15 matches and 15 consecutive Super 10s, he has single-handedly carried Bengal’s raiding unit. His consistency is unmatched, boasting a 75% success rate and 17.5 average raid points per match.
Yet despite his brilliance, Bengal remain last in the table – a testament to their weak all-round performance, especially in defence. They’ve managed only 138 tackle points this season (32% success rate), the lowest among all teams.
Jaipur Regain Momentum with Nitin’s Return and Ali’s Hot Form
After a four-match losing streak, Jaipur Pink Panthers bounced back with a crucial 42–29 win over UP Yoddhas, thanks to Nitin Kumar’s comeback and Ali Samadi’s continued brilliance.
Before his injury, Nitin was enjoying his best-ever PKL campaign – 120 raid points, 10 avg points per match, and 8 Super 10s. His return immediately restored stability to Jaipur’s attack.
Meanwhile, Ali Samadi has been sensational in Nitin’s absence, scoring 104 raid points in 15 matches with a 63% success rate, including back-to-back Super 10s in his last two games.
Jaipur’s Defence Still a Worry – Especially with 6-7 Players on Court
Despite their attacking revival, Jaipur’s defensive unit remains inconsistent, particularly when all defenders are on the mat (6-7 DIP situations). They hold the lowest tackle success rate in this scenario – just 28%.
In contrast, Bengal’s defence has also struggled, setting the stage for a high-scoring, attack-heavy encounter.
Probable Starting 7
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
Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Right Corner – Deepanshu Khatri
- Right In – Ali Samadi
- Right Cover – Aashish
- Centre – Nitin Kumar
- Left Cover – Reza Mirbagheri
- Left In – Parwinder
- Left Corner – Aryan Kumar
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 21
- Bengal Warriorz: 10 wins
- Jaipur Pink Panthers: 10 wins
- Tied: 1
However, Jaipur have dominated recent history, winning all five previous encounters since PKL 9, including their 45–41 triumph earlier this season.
What to Expect Tonight
- High-Scoring Thriller: Both teams struggle defensively but possess dangerous raiding combinations.
- Devank vs Jaipur Defence: The league’s most consistent raider faces a defence that often collapses under pressure.
- Nitin & Ali Duo: Jaipur’s revived raiding partnership could overwhelm Bengal’s weak backline.
- Psychological Advantage: Jaipur hold the upper hand with better recent form and head-to-head record.
Match Details
- Match: Bengal Warriorz vs Jaipur Pink Panthers (Match 96, PKL Season 12)
- Date: Saturday, 18th October 2025
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi