The Patna Pirates gear up for a crucial clash against table-toppers Puneri Paltan in Match 99 of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 at Delhi’s Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. With the Pirates sitting 11th in the standings with five wins from 15 matches, this encounter represents a last-ditch opportunity to make a Top-8 push. On the other hand, Puneri Paltan, already confirmed for the playoffs with 13 wins out of 17 games, are expected to rotate their squad and continue testing bench strength.
Probable Starting Lineups
Patna Pirates
- Right Corner: Navdeep
- Right In: Mandeep Kumar
- Right Cover: Vaibhav Garje
- Centre: Ankit Kumar
- Left Cover: Balaji D
- Left In (C): Ayan
- Left Corner: Ashish Birwal
Puneri Paltan
- Right Corner: Dadaso Pujari
- Right In: Sachin
- Right Cover: Rohan Tupare
- Centre: Stuwart Singh
- Left Cover: Vaibhav Rabade
- Left In: Abhishek Gunge
- Left Corner: Mohd Amaan
Key Headlines
- Patna Pirates fight for Top-8 survival, currently 11th in the table.
- Puneri Paltan lead the standings and have already sealed playoff qualification.
- Pirates’ raider Ayan is in stellar form, scoring 27 raid points in the previous match.
- Patna’s defence remains the league’s weakest link and must improve significantly.
- Puneri Paltan’s defensive unit is the league’s most consistent and hardest to break.
- Paltan likely to rotate players, testing bench strength ahead of playoffs.
Can Ayan Lead Patna Pirates Into the Top-8?
Patna Pirates have stunned fans with back-to-back nail-biting wins against Bengaluru Bulls and Bengal Warriorz, rejuvenating their playoff hopes. The standout performer has been captain Ayan, who scored 27 raid points in the last match, showcasing remarkable consistency and precision.
Recent performances:
- vs Bengal Warriorz (M#91): 51–49 win, Ayan 27 raid points
- vs Bengaluru Bulls (M#88): 32–32 tie, won in tie-breaker 6–5
Ayan has maintained high strike rates across all Do-or-Die (DIP) situations:
- 6–7 defenders: 81% SR
- 4–5 defenders: 49% SR
- 2–3 defenders: 69% SR
He is also closing in on 200 career raid points for the season, reflecting both skill and endurance. Against Puneri Paltan this season, Ayan has already proven he can deliver high-impact performances, scoring 21 raid points in the reverse fixture.
Patna Pirates’ Defence: Achilles’ Heel
While Ayan leads the raiding charge, Patna Pirates’ defence continues to lag behind the league standards. With the lowest average tackle points in PKL 12 (8.2 per game at 33% strike rate), they face a monumental challenge against Puneri Paltan’s formidable attack.
Corners Ankit Kumar and Navdeep have contributed meaningfully, but collective defensive cohesion remains lacking:
- Navdeep: 38 tackle points, 45% SR
- Ankit Kumar: 37 tackle points, 44% SR
Defensive inconsistencies, especially during the second 10-minute intervals of both halves, remain a significant concern. The Pirates’ survival in this match will hinge on whether the defence can step up to complement Ayan’s raiding brilliance.
Puneri Paltan: Playoff Comfort and Strategic Rotation
Puneri Paltan enter this match at the top of the table, having secured a playoff berth with 13 wins from 17 outings. Their defensive prowess—led by Gaurav Khatri (50 tackle points) and Vaibhav Rabade (emerging talent with a 63% strike rate)—has been the backbone of their dominance.
Offensive strengths:
- Aditya Shinde: 118 raid points (64% SR)
- Pankaj Mohite: 99 raid points (49% SR)
The team has recently experimented with bench players, a tactic likely to continue here. While this provides opportunities for squad depth, it also opens the door for Patna Pirates to exploit minor inconsistencies.
Head-to-Head Overview
Patna Pirates historically hold an edge, winning 15 of 25 encounters against Puneri Paltan, including a key victory earlier this season. Ayan’s head-to-head stats highlight competitive matchups:
- vs Gaurav Khatri: 4–3
- vs Abinesh Nadarajan: 2–0
Despite this, Puneri Paltan’s consistent defensive structure and superior overall form make them favorites, even with rotated lineups.
Tactical Preview
The battle will revolve around Ayan’s raids against Puneri Paltan’s elite defensive setup. If he continues his high-strike-rate performances, the Pirates may keep the scoreline close. However, the league’s best defensive unit, combined with strategic rotation, gives Puneri Paltan a decisive edge.
Expect a thrilling contest, but the Pirates will likely need near-flawless team defence and sustained raiding brilliance from Ayan to pull off an upset.
Match Details
- Match: Patna Pirates vs Puneri Paltan – Match 99, PKL Season 12
- Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi