In Match 89 of PKL 12, two teams hunting for playoff momentum collide at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi as third-placed Telugu Titans host the unpredictable U Mumba. The Titans’ raiding duo, Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda, look to extend their dominance, while Captain Sunil Kumar spearheads U Mumba’s defence, recently revitalized with some strong performances. With injuries returning and form fluctuating, both teams face contrasting challenges.
Telugu Titans: Dynamic Duo Driving Raiders’ Success
Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda have been the Titans’ standout performers, contributing 82% of the team’s raid points. Bharat leads with 136 raid points (9.7 average, 62% success rate, 7 Super 10s), while Malik complements him with 113 raid points (8.1 average, 49% SR, 4 Super 10s).
Bharat’s recent streak is impressive: three consecutive Super 10s, scoring no fewer than 8 points in his last six games. Meanwhile, Vijay Malik ranks third in the league for bonus points (47), showcasing his ability to turn tight situations into valuable scores.
The duo now faces U Mumba’s fourth-best defence in the league (11.2 tackle points per match, 43% success rate). For U Mumba, defensive output directly correlates with match results — winning matches saw them average 13.9 tackle points, whereas losses saw only 8.6.
Sunil Kumar Leading U Mumba’s Defensive Revival
After a slow start, Sunil Kumar has emerged as one of PKL 12’s most consistent defenders. In his last 10 matches, he recorded 35 tackle points at 64% success rate with 4 High 5s, a dramatic improvement from the first four matches.
His corner partnership with Rinku and Lokesh Ghosliya has provided stability, with all three defenders maintaining tackle success rates around 50% — critical for halting high-scoring raiders like Bharat and Vijay Malik.
Telugu Titans’ Defence: Second-Half Magic and Balanced Play
The Titans’ defence has been instrumental in their third-place standing, recently averaging 11+ tackle points in five of their last six matches. Corners Shubham Shinde and Ankit have excelled, with success rates of 47% and 43%, while covers Ajit Pawar and Avi Duhan maintain consistent performance.
A notable performer, Chetan Sahu, has been a Do-or-Die specialist — scoring 10 points at 100% success rate in such situations, highlighting his clutch ability when matches hang in the balance.
U Mumba’s Raiding Concerns
While Ajit Chouhan has returned from injury, his performance remains inconsistent, particularly against 4-5 defenders on the mat, where his success rate drops to just 17%. Partner Sandeep has been excellent overall, tallying 99 raid points in 12 matches with 5 Super 10s, but his momentum tends to dip in the middle 10-minute intervals.
Support raiders like Zafardanesh, Anil, and Satish Kannan have struggled this season, failing to provide consistent contributions, leaving the team overly reliant on their star duo.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Historically, U Mumba leads the overall record slightly, but recent seasons favour Telugu Titans:
- PKL 12 M#25: Titans 45–37 U Mumba
- PKL 11: Titans won both meetings
- PKL 10: 1 win, 1 tie, 1 loss
The Titans have also beaten U Mumba earlier this season, making them favorites based on form.
Key Player Battles
- Vijay Malik & Bharat vs Sunil Kumar: The season’s best raiding partnership meets a resurgent captain-led defence.
- Chetan Sahu vs U Mumba Covers: Clutch Do-or-Die situations could decide tight moments.
- Ajit Chouhan & Sandeep vs Titans’ Balanced Defence: Success depends on timing, support, and tactical awareness.
What to Expect
This contest promises high-intensity tactical clashes, where Telugu Titans’ raiding excellence faces U Mumba’s defensive resurgence. Expect a match where defensive discipline and raiding efficiency dictate the outcome. Titans’ recent dominance and balanced play make them slight favorites, but U Mumba’s defence could spark an upset if their raiders rediscover form.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Telugu Titans vs U Mumba – Match 89, PKL Season 12
- Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025
- Time: 8:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi