The race to the PKL 12 final reaches a crucial stage as table-toppers Puneri Paltan lock horns with second-placed Dabang Delhi K.C. in Qualifier 1 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi. The winner books a direct spot in the final, while the loser will have one more chance through the Eliminator. With both teams showcasing consistency throughout the season, this clash promises a high-voltage tactical showdown between Pune’s fearless defence and Delhi’s balanced raiding unit.
Probable Starting Lineups
Puneri Paltan
- Right Corner: Gaurav Khatri
- Right In: Aditya Shinde
- Right Cover: Abinesh Nadarajan
- Centre: Pankaj Mohite
- Left Cover: Gurdeep
- Left In & Captain: Aslam Inamdar
- Left Corner: Vishal Bhardwaj
Dabang Delhi K.C.
- Right Corner: Saurabh Nandal
- Right In: Ajinkya Pawar
- Right Cover: Surjeet Singh
- Centre & Captain: Ashu Malik
- Left Cover: Sandeep
- Left In: Neeraj Narwal
- Left Corner: Fazel Atrachali
Key Headlines
- Clash of the top two teams of PKL 12
- Both sides coached by former PKL stars
- Previous two encounters this season ended in tiebreakers
- Ashu Malik’s fitness remains a major concern for Delhi
- Pune possess the strongest defence in the league
- Fazel Atrachali and Saurabh Nandal lead Delhi’s defence
- Gaurav Khatri shines for Pune with 50+ tackle points
- Aditya Shinde emerges as Pune’s lead raider
Can Ashu Malik Lead Delhi Again?
Dabang Delhi K.C. owe much of their success to captain Ashu Malik, who has registered 146 raid points in just 12 matches, averaging 12.2 points per game. His 100% strike rate in Do-or-Die raids (21 points) places him among the league’s elite performers.
However, Ashu has missed the last six matches due to injury. His availability for this match remains uncertain. In his last appearance against Pune, he scored a Super 10, but Pune have managed to contain him in most of their previous battles.
Pune’s Defence – Best in the League
Puneri Paltan have built their campaign around defence. They average 12.1 tackle points per match, the highest in PKL 12, with a 47% success rate.
Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj have formed a rock-solid corner pairing, shutting down top raiders consistently.
Puneri Paltan – Season Overview
Despite losing their final two league games after resting key players, Pune dominated the season overall. They registered a seven-match winning streak earlier and finished as league leaders for only the second time in history.
Recent Results
- vs Patna Pirates – 27–38
- vs Telugu Titans – 31–40
- vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – 57–33
- vs Dabang Delhi K.C. – 38(6)–38(5) (Tiebreak win)
- vs Tamil Thalaivas – 36–23
Aditya Shinde Leads the Charge
- 118 raid points, 64% raid success
- 5 Super 10s
- Pune remain unbeaten in any match where he scores a Super 10.
Dabang Delhi K.C. – Season Overview
Delhi have been consistent throughout PKL 12 but have struggled lately after securing their playoff berth. They suffered heavy defeat to Patna Pirates (61–26) and lost momentum defensively.
Recent Results
- vs Patna Pirates – 26–61
- vs Bengaluru Bulls – 23–33
- vs Tamil Thalaivas – 37–31
- vs Puneri Paltan – 38(5)–38(6)
- vs Gujarat Giants – 39–33
What to Expect
This match has all the ingredients of a classic. Pune’s system-based defence will target Delhi’s raiders early, especially if Ashu Malik is unfit or rusty. Delhi’s hopes hinge on Ashu’s return and support from Ajinkya Pawar and Neeraj Narwal.
Puneri Paltan’s superior defensive numbers and balanced raiding make them slight favourites. But with veterans like Fazel Atrachali and Saurabh Nandal, Delhi cannot be underestimated.
Match Details
- Match: Puneri Paltan vs Dabang Delhi K.C. – Qualifier 1, PKL 12
- Date: Monday, 27th October 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi