The Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium gears up for a blockbuster as Dabang Delhi K.C. face Puneri Paltan in Match 79 of PKL Season 12. With both teams already securing their playoff berths, this top-of-the-table clash isn’t just about points — it’s about pride, momentum, and possibly, the race for a direct ticket to the final through a top-two finish.
Delhi lead the standings with 12 wins in 14 games (86% win rate), while second-placed Pune are close behind with 11 victories (79%). Expect a tactical masterclass when two of PKL 12’s most complete sides collide.
Probable Starting 7s
Dabang Delhi K.C.
- Right Corner: Saurabh Nandal
- Right In: Ajinkya Pawar
- Right Cover: Surjeet Singh
- Centre: Naveen
- Left Cover: Sandeep
- Left In: Neeraj Narwal
- Left Corner: Fazel Atrachali (C)
Puneri Paltan
- Right Corner: Gaurav Khatri
- Right In: Aditya Shinde
- Right Cover: Abinesh Nadarajan
- Centre: Pankaj Mohite
- Left Cover: Gurdeep
- Left In: Aslam Inamdar (C)
- Left Corner: Vishal Bhardwaj
Clash of the Titans: First Meets Second
It’s not often in a long PKL season that both top teams go head-to-head with such consistency behind them. Both Delhi and Pune have been models of efficiency — Delhi’s success built on Ashu Malik’s electrifying raids, and Pune’s dominance driven by the league’s most effective defensive unit.
While both sides are assured of playoff qualification, this contest carries high stakes. Finishing in the top two ensures a berth in Qualifier 1, giving teams a second chance at the final even if they stumble in the first knockout round.
- Dabang Delhi raid stats: 309 raid points in 14 matches (54% success rate)
- Puneri Paltan defence: 11.9 average tackle points per match, 47% strike rate — the best in PKL 12
This matchup, therefore, doubles as both a statement game and a testing ground for bench players ahead of the playoffs.
Ashu Malik – Delhi’s Raiding Maestro
Few players in PKL 12 have been as dominant as Ashu Malik, who has carried Dabang Delhi’s attack all season. The skipper has amassed 146 raid points in 12 games at a staggering 12.2 average and 62% success rate, ranking third in the league for average raid points.
Top raiders by average (PKL 12):
- Devank – 17.2 avg (72% SR)
- Ayan – 12.3 avg (70% SR)
- Ashu Malik – 12.2 avg (62% SR)
Ashu’s first-half raids have been particularly lethal — he’s scored 83 points at 66% strike rate before the break, compared to 63 points at 57% in second halves. In crunch situations, he’s unmatched: 21 Do-or-Die raid points at a perfect 100% strike rate, making him the league’s most dependable clutch raider.
Against Puneri Paltan, Ashu has historically held his own, scoring 76 raid points in 9 matches (8.4 avg, 50% SR) — including the golden raid winner in their earlier meeting this season.
Puneri Paltan – The Wall That Doesn’t Crack
If Delhi rely on their attack, Pune thrive on discipline and defensive brilliance. The Paltan defence, averaging 11.9 tackle points per match, has been nearly impenetrable — thanks to the corner duo of Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj.
- Gaurav Khatri: 39 tackle points (57% SR, 3 High 5s)
- Vishal Bhardwaj: 34 tackle points (62% SR, 2 High 5s)
Bhardwaj’s consistency is exceptional — maintaining strike rates above 50% in every 10-minute interval of a match. Khatri, meanwhile, serves as Pune’s barometer: in wins, he averages 3.2 tackle points at 59% SR, but those numbers drop sharply in defeats (1.3 points, 40% SR).
In their reverse fixture earlier this season, Paltan’s defence recorded 11 tackle points at 46% SR, forcing the game to a golden raid.
Delhi’s Mental Fortitude in Close Contests
Dabang Delhi have mastered the art of handling pressure. They’ve been part of eight tight finishes this season — winning six of them, including thrillers decided in the last raid or golden raid.
Their ability to stay calm under pressure highlights the leadership of Fazel Atrachali, whose composed presence continues to guide the team in crunch moments.
Fazel Atrachali Still Rules the Mat
The Sultan remains the cornerstone of Delhi’s defence. Fazel has been in vintage form, collecting 44 tackle points in 14 matches (59% SR) — ranking among the top three defenders this season.
- Fazel vs Paltan (career): 21 matches | 64 tackle points | 65% SR | 3 High 5s
He’s complemented by Saurabh Nandal, who’s delivered 39 tackle points (64% SR), and Surjeet Singh, whose assist numbers (52) underline his tactical contribution despite a modest strike rate.
As a unit, Delhi boast the highest tackle strike rate (48%) in PKL 12 — narrowly ahead of Puneri Paltan (47%).
Delhi’s Bench Depth on Display
With qualification secured, Delhi have rotated their lineup — and the results have been promising. Youngster Akshit stole the show against Gujarat Giants with 12 raid points from just seven raids (171% SR), proving Delhi’s bench is ready for playoff challenges.
Even in their one-point loss to Bengal Warriors, the likes of Neeraj Narwal, Ajinkya Pawar, and Mohit contributed significantly, reinforcing the squad’s depth and balance.
Pune’s Dynamic Raiders – Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite
Aditya Shinde has emerged as Puneri Paltan’s talisman, scoring 108 raid points in 13 matches (67% SR, 5 Super 10s). He’s particularly effective in 2–3 defender situations, boasting a staggering 105% strike rate — the best in the league.
His support act, Pankaj Mohite, has rediscovered form at the perfect time. After a slow start, Mohite has tallied 65 raid points in his last nine games (7.2 avg, 55% SR), offering Pune a strong secondary raiding option.
In their last outing against Tamil Thalaivas, Mohite (8 points) and captain Aslam Inamdar (7 points) stepped up when Aditya had an off day — a sign of Pune’s growing offensive maturity.
Team Form and Recent Results
Dabang Delhi K.C.
- vs Gujarat Giants – Won 39–33
- vs Bengal Warriors – Lost 36–37
- vs Haryana Steelers – Won (tie-breaker 9–3)
- vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 29–26
- vs UP Yoddhas – Won 43–26
Delhi remain consistent even while experimenting, maintaining their top spot despite occasional rest for key players.
Puneri Paltan
- vs Tamil Thalaivas – Won 36–23
- vs U Mumba – Won 37–27
- vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 41–36
- vs Bengaluru Bulls – Won (tie-breaker)
- vs Bengal Warriors – Won 49–44
Paltan’s five-match winning streak reflects the form of true title contenders.
Head-to-Head: Almost Too Close to Call
- Total meetings: 25
- Puneri Paltan: 12 wins
- Dabang Delhi K.C.: 10 wins
- Draws: 3
The rivalry remains neck-and-neck. In their previous encounter this season, Delhi edged out Pune 2–0 in a golden raid decider — a reminder of how fine the margins can be when these two collide.
What to Expect
This is more than a league-stage contest — it’s a preview of a potential final. Both teams will likely rotate players and experiment tactically, but the intensity will remain sky-high.
The duels to watch:
- Ashu Malik vs Gaurav Khatri & Vishal Bhardwaj
- Aditya Shinde vs Fazel Atrachali & Saurabh Nandal
If history is any guide, this matchup promises another nail-biting finish. Delhi’s calm under pressure meets Pune’s defensive brilliance — a combination that guarantees 40 minutes of top-tier kabaddi.
Match Details
- Match: Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Puneri Paltan – Match 79, PKL Season 12
- Date: Sunday, 12th October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi