The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 continues in Delhi as two teams on vastly different trajectories square off — the resurgent Bengaluru Bulls take on the struggling Patna Pirates in Match 88. Riding a wave of momentum with three consecutive victories, the Bulls have surged into playoff contention. In contrast, the Pirates are desperate to end a dismal run of three straight defeats that has left them anchored to the bottom of the table.
Bengaluru Bulls: Confidence Soaring After Strong Comeback
The Bengaluru Bulls are finally playing like a top-four side again. After a shaky start to the season, they’ve pieced together three impressive wins — including a commanding 43–32 triumph over Bengal Warriorz. With momentum on their side and a balanced combination of experienced defenders and clinical raiders, the Bulls look poised to secure a playoff berth.
At the heart of their success lies Alireza Mirzaian, who produced a masterclass in the previous match with 16 raid points at 73% success rate. The Iranian has been the Bulls’ attacking engine, accumulating 126 raid points in 14 matches (averaging 9 per game) and registering eight Super 10s so far.
Interestingly, Mirzaian has also been the league’s most reliable raider in Do-or-Die situations, converting high-pressure raids into points with a 68% success rate — the best in PKL 12. His aggressive starts in the first 10 minutes often set the tone for the Bulls’ tempo-driven style.
Supporting him are Aashish Malik and Ganesha Hanamantagol, who have added crucial raid points when needed, although the Bulls still average a modest 19.4 raid points per match — the third-lowest in the league. However, their defensive prowess has more than compensated for that.
Deepak Sankar Leads the Bulls’ Defensive Revival
The turnaround in the Bulls’ campaign has been powered by their rock-solid defence, currently boasting the second-best tackle average (11.4 per match) in the league with a 46% success rate — only behind Puneri Paltan.
Deepak Sankar, the man in form, has been sensational since taking charge at the left corner. His 45 tackle points in 13 matches (3.5 average, 59% SR) place him among the league’s top defenders, second only to Nitesh Kumar. Sankar’s fourth High 5 of the season came against Bengal Warriorz, where he delivered six tackles at an 86% success rate.
What makes Sankar’s numbers even more fascinating is his performance growth as matches progress — his success rate jumps from 32% in the opening 10 minutes to over 70% in the middle phases, showing how he adapts and dominates as the game unfolds.
Captain Yogesh, with 40 tackle points and three High 5s, complements him brilliantly from the opposite corner. Together, they’ve given Bengaluru one of the most balanced defensive duos in the league. Remarkably, the Bulls have registered 10 or more tackle points in each of their last six matches, highlighting consistency and cohesion in the backline.
Ayan’s Lone Battle for the Pirates
While Bengaluru’s fortunes rise, the Patna Pirates continue to falter — and much of their fight this season has come from one man: Ayan. The dynamic raider has scored 155 raid points in 13 matches with eight Super 10s, accounting for over half of Patna’s total raid points.
Ayan’s 67% raid success rate ranks third in PKL 12 among raiders with over 100 points, only behind Devank (73%) and Gagan Gowda (71%). His explosive performances — including 16 points against Tamil Thalaivas and 15 each against Haryana Steelers and Bengal Warriorz — have been the Pirates’ sole silver lining.
Interestingly, Ayan has enjoyed facing Bengaluru, scoring a Super 10 in all three previous encounters (averaging 11.3 raid points at 76% SR). But with the Bulls’ defence currently in peak form, this will be his toughest test yet.
Patna’s Defence Continues to Crumble
Defence has been the Pirates’ biggest Achilles heel. They sit last in the league for average tackle points (8.4 per match) and have a low 34% tackle success rate. Although corners Ankit and Navdeep have shown promise — contributing over 50% of the team’s tackle points — the cover defenders have been virtually invisible, managing just 24% success and zero High 5s all season.
Navdeep’s recent form offers a glimmer of hope, maintaining a 54% success rate over the past seven matches and averaging 3.6 tackle points per game. But without better cover support, the Pirates’ defence continues to collapse under pressure, especially against high-paced raiders like Alireza Mirzaian.
Head-to-Head Record: Patna’s History vs Bengaluru’s Momentum
Historically, Patna Pirates have dominated this fixture — winning 14 of the 26 previous meetings, compared to 8 wins for Bengaluru, with 4 draws.
However, recent form tells a different story. Since PKL Season 9, the Bulls have taken control with three wins in the last seven encounters. Earlier this season, Bengaluru defeated Patna 38–30, with both Ayan and Alireza securing Super 10s.
Key Player Battles
- Ayan vs Deepak Sankar: The league’s third-most successful raider meets one of the most consistent tacklers — a defining duel.
- Alireza Mirzaian vs Ankit: The Iranian’s explosiveness against Patna’s struggling corner will be crucial.
- Yogesh vs Maninder Singh: A test of agility and defensive anticipation on the mat’s edge.
What to Expect
Momentum heavily favours the Bengaluru Bulls, who look well-organized in both attack and defence. If Alireza and Deepak continue their current form, another win seems likely. For Patna Pirates, Ayan’s brilliance might not be enough unless the defence steps up collectively — particularly in cover positions.
That said, Ayan’s track record against the Bulls ensures this won’t be a one-sided affair. Expect an intense tactical battle, with the Pirates fighting to keep their season alive while the Bulls push toward playoff qualification.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Bengaluru Bulls vs Patna Pirates (Match 88, PKL Season 12)
- Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi