Two teams clinging to their playoff dreams collide in Match 74 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 as Gujarat Giants face off against UP Yoddhas in Chennai on Thursday. While Gujarat have shown signs of revival after a miserable start, UP continue to rely heavily on Gagan Gowda’s heroics, with defensive issues holding them back.
Gujarat Giants Banking on Defence and Rakesh’s Momentum
The Giants have enjoyed a mini-revival, winning two of their last three matches, including a confidence-boosting 47–40 victory over Bengal Warriorz. Rakesh was the star with 18 raid points, but the lack of consistent support remains a major worry.
Gujarat still average the fewest raid points per match in PKL 12 (17.6), exposing an overdependence on Rakesh. Even their second-best raider this season is captain Mohammadreza Shadloui, an all-rounder better known for his defensive strength than raiding ability.
Defensively, though, the Giants have been solid. Their 45% tackle success rate ranks third-best in the league, boosted by the impressive form of Shadloui and Lucky Sharma, who has been operating at a superb 65% success rate since breaking into the side. Shadloui also seems to have rediscovered his rhythm, picking up his first High 5 of the season in their last win.
UP Yoddhas – Gagan Gowda’s One-Man Show
The Yoddhas’ story this season has been one of attacking brilliance from Gagan Gowda overshadowed by defensive failures. With 111 raid points at a staggering 72% success rate, he ranks among the most efficient raiders in PKL 12. He also leads the league in bonus points (52), underlining his ability to outwit defences with intelligence and composure.
What makes Gagan even more dangerous is his clutch factor – he has scored at a 100% raid success rate in the final 10 minutes of matches, often keeping UP competitive when all seemed lost. However, the lack of consistent support from fellow raiders Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singh has left him carrying an unsustainable workload.
Defensively, captain Sumit has been the Yoddhas’ lone bright spot, with 35 tackle points this season. Yet his form has dipped drastically in the past three matches, where he managed just two points. The rest of UP’s defensive unit has been inconsistent, ranking among the bottom three in tackle points and success rate this season.
Key Battles to Watch
- Gagan Gowda vs Shadloui: A classic battle of raid brilliance against defensive dominance. Shadloui has historically thrived against UP, recording 46 tackle points and 6 High 5s in 11 games against them. But Gagan’s 72% raid success makes this duel pivotal.
- Rakesh vs Sumit: Gujarat’s star raider up against UP’s captain. Rakesh has dominated this matchup historically (11 raid points vs Sumit’s 4). Sumit will need to rediscover his timing to stop Gujarat from gaining early momentum.
- Defensive Units: Gujarat’s third-best tackle success rate contrasts with UP’s defensive frailties. If the Yoddhas cannot hold firm, Gagan’s brilliance may not be enough.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical numbers favour Gujarat, who have won 8 of 14 meetings against UP, including their earlier clash this season where Shadloui scored 8 points to seal a 33–27 victory. However, UP’s superior raiding average (20.9 per match vs Gujarat’s 17.6) gives them a chance if their defence finally clicks.
What’s at Stake
Both teams sit outside the playoff spots – UP in 9th, Gujarat in 10th – making this a virtual knockout clash. A win will keep hopes alive; a loss could effectively end the season for the defeated side. Expect a tense, tactical battle where defensive execution may decide the outcome more than raiding brilliance.
Match Details
- Fixture: Gujarat Giants vs UP Yoddhas, Match 74, PKL Season 12
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai