The race to the PKL Season 12 Final reaches fever pitch as table-toppers Puneri Paltan face the resurgent Telugu Titans in Qualifier 2 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi. The winner earns a ticket to the grand finale, while the loser’s campaign comes to a heartbreaking end.
Puneri Paltan enter the contest after a narrow tiebreaker loss to Dabang Delhi in Qualifier 1, while Telugu Titans arrive full of confidence, having dismantled Patna Pirates 46–39 in Eliminator 3 — powered by Bharat’s extraordinary raiding and captain Vijay Malik’s leadership.
Probable Starting 7
Puneri Paltan:
Gaurav Khatri (RC), Aditya Shinde (R-In), Abinesh Nadarajan (R-Cov), Pankaj Mohite (C), Gurdeep (L-Cov), Aslam Inamdar (L-In, C), Vishal Bhardwaj (LC)
Telugu Titans:
Shubham Shinde (RC), Bharat (R-In), Avi Duhan (R-Cov), Chetan Sahu (C), Ajit Pawar (L-Cov), Vijay Malik (L-In, C), Ankit (LC)
Bharat’s Brilliance and Vijay’s Versatility
Bharat Hooda has been the heartbeat of the Titans’ stunning playoff resurgence. His 23 raid points at 88% success rate against Patna Pirates rank among the top three raiding performances in PKL playoff history, behind only Pardeep Narwal’s iconic PKL 5 eliminators.
Captain Vijay Malik continues to be the perfect foil — contributing 156 raid points this season, with six Super 10s and an exceptional knack for bonus-point raids (69 total, second-most in the league).
Bharat dominates the first halves of matches (65% SR, 112 points), setting the tone early, while Vijay’s ability to secure bonus points keeps the scoreboard ticking under pressure.
Puneri Paltan – The Fortress of Defence
No team defends better than Puneri Paltan in PKL 12. Their defensive wall — led by Gaurav Khatri, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Gurdeep — averages 12.1 tackle points per match, the highest in the league, with a 47% tackle strike rate.
- Gaurav Khatri leads from the front with 54 tackle points and a 68% playoff success rate. He registered 7 tackle points at 87% SR against the Titans earlier this season.
- Vishal Bhardwaj remains rock-solid across all situations (50%+ SR).
- Gurdeep adds balance and aggression with 40 tackle points (47% SR).
This defensive trio has been instrumental in keeping opponents below 35 points in 10 of their 20 matches.
Telugu Titans – Peaking at the Perfect Time
The Titans’ journey this season has been a tale of revival. After early inconsistencies, their defence finally clicked — averaging 11.0 tackle points per game, ranking fifth in the league. In their 12 wins, that number jumped to 11.8 tackle points at 47% SR.
Shubham Shinde and Ankit are both on the verge of the 50-tackle-point milestone, while Ajit Pawar and Avi Duhan have tightened the covers effectively. Ankit, in particular, thrives after halftime, improving his tackle SR from 38% (first half) to 52% (second half).
Their momentum is undeniable — two straight playoff wins, including the scalps of Bengaluru Bulls and Patna Pirates, have made them the dark horse of the season.
Team Form
Puneri Paltan – Last 5 Matches
- Dabang Delhi – 34(4)-34(6) (Tiebreaker loss)
- Patna Pirates – 27–38
- Telugu Titans – 31–40
- Jaipur Pink Panthers – 57–33
- U Mumba – 42–30
Telugu Titans – Last 5 Matches
- Patna Pirates – 46–39
- Bengaluru Bulls – 37–32
- Haryana Steelers – 34–45
- Gujarat Giants – 30–25
- Tamil Thalaivas – 36–31
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 24
- Puneri Paltan Wins: 14
- Telugu Titans Wins: 9
- Tied: 1
This season, both teams have won one each — Puneri took the early-season clash, while Telugu returned the favour in Match 95 with a 40–31 victory.
Key Player Battles
- Bharat vs Gaurav Khatri – Power vs Precision
- Vijay Malik vs Vishal Bhardwaj – Bonus Master vs Anticipation King
- Aditya Shinde vs Shubham Shinde – The Shinde Showdown
Puneri’s corners will target Bharat’s midline confidence, while Telugu’s raiders will look to disrupt Pune’s tight chain structure through bonus pressure and quick escapes.
Tactical Outlook
This matchup pits the league’s best defence against the most in-form raiding pair. Puneri’s rigid defensive system under coach BC Ramesh will aim to slow down Telugu’s tempo, forcing Bharat and Vijay into low-reward raids.
Telugu’s counter lies in fast-paced raiding rotations and exploiting Puneri’s weaker mid-cover gaps. If Bharat can maintain his early-match efficiency and Vijay keeps chipping bonus points, the Titans can stretch Pune’s defensive patience.
However, Puneri’s overall depth and defensive coordination give them a slight edge in a close contest.
Prediction
Expect a tense, tactical thriller. Puneri Paltan’s defensive excellence could ultimately outweigh Telugu’s raiding brilliance — but if Bharat continues his red-hot form, another upset may be on the cards.
Predicted Winner: Puneri Paltan (by 3–5 points)
Player to Watch: Bharat Hooda – eyeing his 11th Super 10 of the season.
Match Details
- Fixture: Puneri Paltan vs Telugu Titans – Qualifier 2, PKL Season 12
- Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi
- Live Streaming: Star Sports & Disney+ Hotstar