The Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi will witness a battle of contrasts as Jaipur Pink Panthers take on table-toppers Puneri Paltan in Match 86 of PKL Season 12. While Jaipur are struggling to stay alive in the playoff race, Puneri Paltan look unstoppable with six consecutive wins and a defence that has dominated every opponent this season. All eyes will be on Iranian sensation Ali Samadi, whose record-breaking raid against Pune earlier this season still echoes in PKL history.
Ali Samadi’s Redemption Mission
When these teams last met, Ali Samadi delivered one of the greatest individual performances by an Iranian raider in Pro Kabaddi history — 21 raid points at a staggering 95% success rate, nearly dragging Jaipur to victory before Puneri Paltan sealed it late.
Ali Samadi vs Puneri Paltan (Match 63):
- Raids: 22
- Raid Points: 21
- Success Rate: 95%
That night, he broke Mohammadreza Shadloui’s record (16 raid points) and announced himself as a rising star among the new generation of Iranian kabaddi players.
Across the season, Samadi has been the Panthers’ brightest spark:
Ali Samadi in PKL 12: 13 matches, 78 raid points, 60% success rate, 2 Super 10s.
He thrives under pressure, especially against full defensive formations, boasting a 70% raid success rate against 6–7 defenders, showing both composure and tactical sharpness.
However, without consistent support from captain Nitin Dhankar, Jaipur’s attack often collapses under pressure.
The Nitin Dhankar Factor
Jaipur’s season has mirrored Nitin Dhankar’s fitness. Before injury, he was in elite form — 109 raid points in 11 matches with 7 Super 10s at nearly 10 raid points per game. But his return against Bengaluru Bulls exposed his struggle for rhythm — six empty raids and zero points.
If Jaipur are to challenge Puneri Paltan’s defensive fortress, the Nitin–Samadi partnership must rediscover its early-season form.
Puneri Paltan’s Defence: The Gold Standard
No team has defended better than Puneri Paltan this season. Their defensive unit averages 11.7 tackle points per match at a 46% success rate, comfortably the best in PKL 12. The corner duo of Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj has been menacing, while Gurdeep continues to provide critical mid-cover support.
Pune’s Top Defenders in PKL 12:
- Gaurav Khatri: 43 tackle points (57% SR, 3 High 5s)
- Vishal Bhardwaj: 34 tackle points (59% SR, 2 High 5s)
- Gurdeep: 37 tackle points (46% SR, 3 High 5s)
Vishal’s numbers are astonishing — he maintains above 50% success in every defensive scenario, including 200% success in super tackle situations. Meanwhile, Khatri’s impact directly correlates with Pune’s dominance: in their 12 wins, he’s averaged 3.3 tackle points at 60% SR, compared to just 1.3 in losses.
In their last meeting with Jaipur, Puneri’s defence faltered slightly (9 tackle points at 33% SR) — a flaw they’ll be determined to fix.
Jaipur’s Defence in Disarray
The Jaipur Pink Panthers’ defence has been one of their biggest concerns this season, averaging just 9.2 tackle points per game with a 39% success rate — both among the league’s lowest.
Their recent performances underline the inconsistency:
- Lost 26–47 vs Bengaluru Bulls (7 tackle points)
- Lost 26–29 vs Dabang Delhi (16 tackle points)
- Lost 36–41 vs Puneri Paltan (5 tackle points)
When Jaipur’s defence registers 10 or more tackle points, they usually stay competitive; below that, they crumble. Aryan Kumar and Reza Mirbagheri have shown glimpses of stability, each maintaining success rates above 45%, but there’s been little collective cohesion.
Top Jaipur Defenders – PKL 12:
- Aryan Kumar: 29 tackle points (46% SR)
- Reza Mirbagheri: 26 tackle points (48% SR)
- Deepanshu Khatri: 26 tackle points (41% SR)
Jaipur’s defensive revival must begin here — especially against Puneri’s versatile raiding pair.
Puneri’s Attack: Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite in Control
While Puneri Paltan’s defence grabs headlines, their attack has been quietly consistent. With 318 raid points across 15 matches, Pune’s balanced approach allows multiple raiders to share responsibility.
Aditya Shinde leads the charge with 113 raid points (66% SR, 5 Super 10s), while Pankaj Mohite adds another 90 raid points (48% SR, 3 Super 10s). Together, they contribute nearly two-thirds of Pune’s raid total.
Aditya’s ability to dominate both halves of matches and deliver under pressure makes him a genuine match-winner — Puneri Paltan are unbeaten whenever he scores a Super 10.
Head-to-Head: Evenly Matched Rivals
The rivalry between these teams remains finely balanced:
Overall: Jaipur 14 wins | Pune 10 wins | 2 draws
Since PKL 9: 4–4 head-to-head.
Their history includes the PKL 9 final, which Jaipur won, but Puneri have since evolved into the more complete side.
What to Expect
This clash represents desperation vs dominance. Jaipur Pink Panthers must win to keep playoff hopes alive, while Puneri Paltan aim to extend their winning streak and maintain their grip on the top spot.
Expect Puneri’s defence to target Ali Samadi early, attempting to neutralize him through coordinated chain tackles. For Jaipur, everything depends on Nitin Dhankar’s fitness — if he and Samadi can both find rhythm, they have the firepower to trouble even the league leaders.
Still, on current form, Puneri Paltan’s balance, structure, and confidence make them clear favourites — though kabaddi has seen enough upsets to know that one inspired night can change everything.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Puneri Paltan – Match 86, PKL Season 12
- Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
- Time: 8:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi