In Match 90 of PKL 12, two playoff-contending sides clash at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi, as eighth-placed UP Yoddhas host sixth-placed Haryana Steelers. The Yoddhas’ in-form raiding trio — Gagan Gowda, Guman Singh, and Bhavani Rajput — face a stern test against Jaideep’s milestone-chasing defence, while Shivam Patare and Vinay aim to lead Haryana’s attack against UP Yoddhas’ defensive duo of Hitesh and Sumit.
UP Yoddhas Raiding Trio: Keeping Playoff Hopes Alive
UP Yoddhas’ raiding strength lies in a trio all surpassing 50 raid points this season:
- Gagan Gowda: 122 raid points, 71% SR, 6 Super 10s
- Guman Singh: 74 raid points, 53% SR, 2 Super 10s
- Bhavani Rajput: 73 raid points, 37% SR, 2 Super 10s
The trio has consistently contributed over the last six matches, with Guman Singh’s recent transformation particularly notable: he recorded 46 raid points at 62% SR in the last five matches compared to just 24 points in his first six. Bhavani Rajput has also improved form, complementing Gagan Gowda’s consistent brilliance.
UP Yoddhas will need to overcome Haryana’s gradually improving defence, which averages 10.8 tackle points per match at 41% success rate.
Jaideep Chasing Milestone and Leading Defence
Jaideep has been the cornerstone of Haryana’s defence, on the cusp of 50 tackle points in PKL 12. With a career-best 62% tackle success rate this season, he also leads the league in super tackles (10), making him a formidable opponent for any raider.
Jaideep excels in all defensive situations, particularly 4-5 defender scenarios and super tackles, and has been consistent in his past encounters against UP Yoddhas, averaging 2.7 tackle points per match.
UP Yoddhas Defence: Hitesh Steps Up
UP Yoddhas’ defence has struggled overall, averaging 9.5 tackle points per match (40% SR), ranking among the league’s lower-performing units. However, in recent matches, Hitesh and Ashu Singh have stepped up:
- Hitesh: 19 tackle points in last 5 matches, 66% SR, 8 assists
- Ashu Singh: 5 tackle points, 26% SR, 17 assists
Captain Sumit, previously in great form, has recently dropped off, placing extra responsibility on his defensive partners to maintain stability.
Haryana Steelers: Balanced Attack and Defence
Haryana’s playoff hopes hinge on their raiding duo of Shivam Patare and Vinay, both performing consistently this season:
- Shivam Patare: 107 raid points, 60% SR, 4 Super 10s
- Vinay: 99 raid points, 50% SR, 4 Super 10s
Shivam excels across all DIP situations, while Vinay shows strong starts and finishes, with slightly weaker middle intervals. Both have maintained over 50% success rate in Do-or-Die raids, demonstrating reliability in critical moments.
Defensively, Jaideep, Rahul, and Hardeep provide solidity, ensuring Haryana remain one of the most consistent defensive teams in the league.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Overall Record: Matches – 14 | UP Yoddhas – 5 | Haryana Steelers – 7 | Tied – 2
- PKL 12 M#16: Haryana Steelers 37–32 UP Yoddhas
- PKL 11 Semi-Final 1: Haryana Steelers 28–25 UP Yoddhas
- PKL 11 M#117: UP Yoddhas 31–24 Haryana Steelers
Haryana has had the upper hand historically, but UP Yoddhas’ recent back-to-back wins show they are peaking at the right time.
Key Player Battles
- Guman Singh vs Jaideep: Resurgent raider against milestone-chasing defender
- Bhavani Rajput & Gagan Gowda vs Rahul & Jaideep: Balanced attacking support vs strong defence
- Shivam Patare & Vinay vs Hitesh & Sumit: Key raiding duel determining match flow
What to Expect
This matchup promises a tactical and high-intensity clash. UP Yoddhas’ raiding trio faces Haryana’s disciplined defence led by Jaideep, while both sides aim to exploit weaknesses in the opponent’s defence. Haryana’s historical dominance and defensive efficiency make them favorites, but UP Yoddhas’ recent form and balanced attack could produce an upset.
The team combining defensive discipline with raiding efficiency will likely emerge victorious in this crucial playoff-chasing encounter.
Match Details:
- Fixture: UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers – Match 90, PKL Season 12
- Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi