Paltan’s defensive fortress takes on Bulls’ rising raiding trio in Chennai
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 rolls into Chennai with a blockbuster clash as Puneri Paltan face Bengaluru Bulls in Match 59. Both sides have contrasting journeys so far—while Pune have built their campaign on the league’s most dominant defence, the Bulls have revived their season after a disastrous start and now look like serious playoff contenders.
This clash isn’t just about points on the table—it’s a tactical battle between the league’s best defence and a resurgent attacking force, making it one of the most anticipated encounters of the season.
Puneri Paltan: Fortress of Defence
No team in PKL 12 has defended better than Puneri Paltan. Their numbers speak for themselves:
- 12 tackle points per match (best in the league)
- 47% tackle success rate
- 120 tackle points in 10 games – most by any team
At the heart of this dominance is Gaurav Khatri, who has been nothing short of exceptional with 32 tackle points at a 63% success rate and 3 High 5s this season. His ability to shut down raiders has been pivotal in Pune’s seven wins.
Khatri is ably supported by Vishal Bhardwaj, who has 25 tackle points at a 68% success rate, and both Gurdeep and Abinesh Nadarajan, who have also registered High 5s this season. The depth in Pune’s defensive unit means there are no weak links for raiders to exploit.
Importantly, both Khatri and Bhardwaj have excellent historical records against Bengaluru Bulls—Khatri averaging 4.5 tackle points at an incredible 84% success rate, while Vishal has accumulated 50 tackle points against the Bulls across his career.
Bengaluru Bulls: Alireza Mirzaian Leads the Charge
On the other side, Alireza Mirzaian has been the shining light of Bengaluru’s resurgence. The Iranian raider has taken the league by storm with:
- 83 raid points in 10 matches (8.3 average)
- 6 Super 10s already this season
- 52% raid success rate
- 15 Do-or-Die raid points at a 65% success rate
Alireza has developed a reputation for thriving in clutch moments, often growing stronger as matches progress—his raid success rate peaks at 59% in the final 10 minutes. With support from Akash Shinde (29 raid points) and Aashish Malik (43 raid points), Bengaluru now boast a raiding trio capable of unsettling even the tightest defences.
Akash Shinde’s return adds an emotional subplot—he scored 12 raid points against his former team Puneri Paltan earlier this season, proving he thrives in this fixture.
A Battle of Raiding Philosophies
While the Bulls lean on Alireza’s flair and late-match surges, Puneri Paltan’s raiding is built around Aditya Shinde’s efficiency.
- Aditya has 74 raid points in 9 matches at a phenomenal 73% success rate, including 3 Super 10s.
- He also ranks joint-third in Do-or-Die raid points (15), but with a superior 75% strike rate compared to Alireza’s 65%.
His partner Pankaj Mohite has been equally impressive with back-to-back Super 10s, thriving particularly in second halves. With skipper Aslam Inamdar adding depth, Pune’s raiding trio balances consistency with explosive finishing.
Bulls’ Defence Grows Under Yogesh
Though Puneri Paltan dominate defensive stats, the Bulls aren’t far behind. Under captain Yogesh, their defence has averaged 10.6 tackle points per match at a 43% success rate.
- Yogesh himself has 27 tackle points at a 48% success rate.
- Deepak Sankar has stepped up superbly with 27 tackle points at a 53% success rate, including 2 High 5s.
The Bulls’ ability to contain Aditya and Pankaj could decide whether they finally break their losing streak against Pune.
Head-to-Head Record
- Overall: Puneri Paltan 14 – 7 Bengaluru Bulls
- Since PKL 10: Puneri Paltan 5 – 0 Bengaluru Bulls
- Last meeting (PKL 12): Pune edged Bulls in a tiebreaker thriller.
History is firmly in Pune’s favour, but Bengaluru’s recent form suggests this contest could be much tighter than previous encounters.
What to Expect
This clash has all the makings of a tactical classic. Can Alireza Mirzaian continue his purple patch against the league’s toughest defence? Will Aditya Shinde’s efficiency once again give Pune the edge? And can Bengaluru’s defence under Yogesh stand tall against Pune’s balanced raiding unit?
With both sides eyeing playoff positions, expect a high-intensity battle where small margins and clutch moments decide the outcome.
Match Details
- Fixture: Puneri Paltan vs Bengaluru Bulls – Match 59, PKL Season 12
- Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai