The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi, as Telugu Titans lock horns with the red-hot Patna Pirates in Eliminator 3 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. The victor will progress to face Puneri Paltan in Qualifier 2, edging closer to the grand finale.
Titans Seek Another Upset, Pirates Chase Ninth Straight Win
The Telugu Titans, who finished 4th in the table with 11 wins from 19 matches, arrive on the back of a crucial Mini Qualifier victory over Bengaluru Bulls. Their raiding duo, Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda, were instrumental once again, both producing Super 10s to secure progression.
However, they now face a rejuvenated Patna Pirates unit that has turned its season on its head under coach Randeep Dalal. From languishing near the bottom mid-season, the Pirates have surged with eight consecutive victories, including a commanding 46–37 win over Bengaluru Bulls in Eliminator 2.
Ayan’s Historic Pursuit: 300 Raid Points in a Season
All eyes will be on Ayan, Patna’s talismanic raider, who stands just six points away from reaching 300 raid points this season — a milestone achieved by only four players in PKL history.
His consistency has been nothing short of extraordinary:
- Matches: 21
- Raid Points: 294
- Super 10s: 15
- Raid Strike Rate: 72%
Ayan’s performances in the playoffs have been world-class — racking up 52 raid points in three games, maintaining over 70% raid SR in each. Against Bengaluru Bulls alone, he notched 19 raid points with an 83% success rate.
His dominance across all DIP (Defenders In Play) situations — particularly an 85% SR in 6–7 DIP — highlights his adaptability and control. His previous outing against Telugu Titans (13 raid points at 81% SR) shows he thrives even against disciplined defences.
Titans’ Dynamic Duo: Vijay Malik and Bharat in Peak Form
The Titans’ playoff run has been fuelled by their raiders. Vijay Malik (152 raid points, 8.0 average) and Bharat Hooda (184 raid points, 9.7 average) have carried the team’s attack all season.
Their combination of agility and precision was on full display in the Mini Qualifier, with Vijay scoring 10 raid points (71% SR) and Bharat adding 12 (80% SR).
Vijay’s brilliance in bonus-point raids remains unmatched, as he ranks second in the league with 65 bonus points — eight of which came in their last match. Bharat, meanwhile, dominates in the first half of matches (65% SR), setting an aggressive tone early.
Their synergy, however, faces a stern test against a resurgent Patna defence led by Navdeep and Ankit.
Randeep Dalal’s Impact: Pirates’ Defensive Turnaround
Coach Randeep Dalal’s mid-season appointment completely transformed Patna’s campaign. From just 2 wins in their first 9 games, they’ve stormed back with an impressive 8 wins in the last 11 matches, including all playoff fixtures.
His focus on defensive discipline is paying dividends — the Pirates’ tackle strike rate has jumped from 36% in the group stage to 51% in the playoffs.
Key to this turnaround is Navdeep, who has produced three consecutive High 5s in the playoffs. He and corner partner Ankit have been the backbone of a defence that now averages over 12 tackle points per match in knockout games.
Titans’ Defence Needs Urgent Revival
While Telugu’s raiders are in top gear, their defence remains inconsistent. Against the Bulls, their four starting defenders managed only 4 tackle points, with substitutes salvaging another five. Their 35% tackle SR in that match remains a concern.
Corners Shubham Shinde and Ankit (both averaging around 2.5 tackle points per match) must find their rhythm quickly to contain Ayan. The team’s weakness in 4–5 DIP situations (42% SR) could be ruthlessly exposed, especially since Ayan excels in precisely those setups.
Key Player Matchups
- Vijay Malik vs Navdeep: Battle between bonus raider and form defender.
- Bharat Hooda vs Ankit: Bharat’s early aggression vs Ankit’s positional awareness.
- Ayan vs Shubham Shinde: League’s best raider takes on Titans’ most reliable corner.
Tactical Analysis: Where the Match Could Be Won
The outcome may hinge on how effectively each side handles 6–7 DIP situations — a scenario where both Titans’ raiders thrive, but the Pirates’ defence often falters.
Conversely, Telugu Titans struggle in 4–5 DIP, an area where Ayan is lethal. Patna’s ability to exploit this mismatch could tilt the scales.
Momentum heavily favours Patna, but Telugu’s prior 37–28 win over the Pirates earlier this season offers a psychological edge. If their defence replicates that 14-tackle performance and their raiders maintain over 70% efficiency, another upset is possible.
Prediction
Expect a tightly contested, tactical battle. Patna Pirates enter as favourites thanks to Ayan’s unstoppable form and Navdeep’s defensive dominance, but Telugu Titans have the firepower to spring a surprise if their defence holds firm.
Ayan’s push for 300 points could headline the night, yet the Titans’ balanced raiding duo might just script an alternate storyline.
Match Details
- Fixture: Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates – Eliminator 3, PKL Season 12
- Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi
- Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar & Star Sports Network