A fascinating clash awaits at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi, as Gujarat Giants face Tamil Thalaivas in Match 87 of PKL Season 12. The stakes are immense — Gujarat are riding a wave of confidence after three wins in four outings, while Tamil Thalaivas desperately need a turnaround to stay in the playoff race. The spotlight, however, falls squarely on Arjun Deshwal and Mohammadreza Shadloui, two superstars on opposite sides of the mat with their own missions.
Arjun Deshwal on the Brink of PKL History
Arjun Deshwal, captain and talisman of Tamil Thalaivas, stands just one raid point away from creating history. A single successful raid will make him the third-highest raid point scorer in PKL history, surpassing Pawan Sehrawat (1,340 points). His consistency has been the hallmark of Tamil Thalaivas’ attack this season — 166 raid points at a 56% success rate, trailing only Devank in the overall standings.
Yet, his season has oscillated between brilliance and frustration. Deshwal has crossed the 20-raid-point mark twice in his last five games, including a stunning 26-point assault against Patna Pirates, but has also endured lean spells with below-50% success in consecutive matches.
Arjun Deshwal – Last Five Matches:
- vs UP Yoddhas: 7 points (39% SR)
- vs Puneri Paltan: 6 points (40% SR)
- vs Patna Pirates: 26 points (93% SR)
- vs Bengaluru Bulls: 9 points (53% SR)
- vs Haryana Steelers: 22 points (79% SR)
Deshwal thrives against full defensive lines — he’s lethal when facing 6 or more defenders, scoring 101 points at a 65% success rate in such situations. That adaptability under pressure will be tested against Gujarat’s in-form defence led by the indomitable Mohammadreza Shadloui.
Shadloui’s Second-Half Surge Fuels Gujarat’s Comeback
After a sluggish start to the season, Mohammadreza Shadloui has rediscovered his monstrous best. The Iranian powerhouse, known for his strength and tactical sharpness, has been the cornerstone of Gujarat’s defensive turnaround. His last outing against Patna Pirates (4 tackle points at 57% SR) was yet another reminder of his growing influence.
Shadloui’s Transformation in PKL 12:
- First 8 games: 9 tackle points (29% SR)
- Next 6 games: 20 tackle points (54% SR, 2 High 5s)
He’s averaged 3.3 tackle points per match in his last six outings, a massive leap from the early stages of the season. Against Tamil Thalaivas, Shadloui boasts a stellar record — 35 tackle points in 9 matches (58% SR), including 4 High 5s.
Interestingly, Shadloui grows stronger as matches progress. His second-half tackle success (49%) surpasses his first-half numbers (35%), underlining his ability to dominate in crunch moments.
However, the one man who has consistently cracked his code is Arjun Deshwal — their personal rivalry currently stands 21–8 in Arjun’s favour, setting the stage for another compelling duel.
Himanshu Singh – The Super Sub Changing Gujarat’s Fortunes
Few stories in PKL 12 have been as captivating as Himanshu Singh’s rise. Coming off the bench in the last two matches, he has delivered back-to-back Super 10s, providing Gujarat the attacking depth they desperately needed.
Himanshu Singh – Last Two Matches:
- vs Patna Pirates: 11 points (52% SR, 21 raids)
- vs Dabang Delhi: 11 points (92% SR, 12 raids)
His emergence has balanced a Gujarat side previously criticised for having the lowest average raid points (18.3) in the league. With Himanshu’s spark, they’ve now crossed 20 raid points in three of their last four matches, a testament to their newfound efficiency.
Rakesh’s Leadership and Consistency
Captain Rakesh has been the glue holding Gujarat’s raiding unit together. He’s notched 107 raid points in 14 matches (51% SR), including four Super 10s. However, his productivity dips sharply after halftime — 63% success in first halves compared to just 36% in the second, indicating either fatigue or tactical counters by opponents.
Recent games have seen him substituted early to make way for Himanshu, a tactical move that has worked wonders for Gujarat
Tamil Thalaivas: Searching for Stability
Tamil Thalaivas’ campaign has been a rollercoaster. After strong mid-season form, they’ve stumbled with back-to-back defeats, including a heartbreaking one-point loss to UP Yoddhas (31–32). Despite flashes of brilliance, inconsistency has been their undoing.
Thalaivas – Last Five Matches:
- vs UP Yoddhas: Lost 31–32
- vs Puneri Paltan: Lost 23–36
- vs Patna Pirates: Won 56–37
- vs Bengaluru Bulls: Lost 29–33
- vs Haryana Steelers: Won 45–33
Their defence, though led by the ever-reliable Nitesh Kumar, has lacked cohesion — something that may change with the return of Sagar Rathee.
Sagar Rathee’s Return Boosts Defensive Morale
After missing much of the season due to injury, Sagar Rathee made an instant impact on his return with a High 5 (5 tackle points at 71% SR) against UP Yoddhas. His experience adds much-needed stability alongside Nitesh Kumar, who has been in phenomenal touch.
Most Tackle Points in PKL 12:
- Nitesh Kumar – 56 (56% SR)
- Jaideep – 48
- Deepak Sankar – 45
Nitesh’s consistency is unmatched — his success rate barely dips between wins (58%) and losses (55%), proving his reliability under any circumstance. He’s also exceptional in Super Tackle situations (75% SR when 2–3 defenders remain), often rescuing his team in high-pressure moments.
Meanwhile, Ronak has quietly played a key supporting role, recording 59 assists, second-most in PKL 12, reinforcing the Thalaivas’ defensive coordination.
Head-to-Head: Evenly Poised Rivalry
Head-to-Head Record:
- Overall: Gujarat 7 | Tamil Thalaivas 5 | Draws 1
- Since PKL 9: Tied at 3–3
Gujarat Giants won the earlier fixture this season 37–28, courtesy of a defensive masterclass from Nitin Panwar (8 tackle points). However, the Thalaivas have previously handed Gujarat heavy defeats, making this matchup highly unpredictable.
What to Expect
This is a battle of momentum versus desperation. Gujarat Giants enter high on confidence after three wins in four, while Tamil Thalaivas fight to revive their faltering playoff hopes.
Expect Gujarat’s defenders, led by Shadloui, to close ranks around Arjun Deshwal, forcing the Thalaivas’ secondary raiders to step up. Conversely, Tamil Thalaivas will rely on their veteran defenders — Nitesh and Sagar — to contain Himanshu and Rakesh.
If Arjun Deshwal finds his rhythm early, he could inspire a crucial Thalaivas victory. But with Gujarat’s defence clicking and Himanshu Singh in red-hot form, the home side looks better positioned to extend their resurgence.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Gujarat Giants vs Tamil Thalaivas – Match 87, PKL Season 12
- Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi