The stage is set for Match 78 of PKL Season 12, where Tamil Thalaivas lock horns with Puneri Paltan at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi. Both teams bring strong defensive units to the mat, but with contrasting objectives – Paltan are eyeing a Top 8 confirmation, while Thalaivas aim to cement their mid-table standing.
Probable Starting Lineups
Tamil Thalaivas
- Right Corner: Arulnanthababu
- Right In: Arjun Deshwal (C)
- Right Cover: Ronak
- Centre: Himanshu
- Left Cover: Aashish
- Left In: Rohit Beniwal
- Left Corner: Nitesh Kumar
Puneri Paltan
- Right Corner: Gaurav Khatri
- Right In: Aditya Shinde
- Right Cover: Abinesh Nadarajan
- Centre: Pankaj Mohite
- Left Cover: Gurdeep
- Left In: Aslam Inamdar (C)
- Left Corner: Vishal Bhardwaj
Match Headlines
- A showdown between PKL 12’s two best defensive units.
- Puneri Paltan seek to secure a Top 8 spot with a win.
- Arjun Deshwal continues to dazzle after his 26-point masterclass against Patna Pirates.
- Nitesh Kumar becomes the first defender in PKL 12 to reach 50 tackle points.
- Tamil Thalaivas aim to back up their recent 19-point victory over Patna Pirates.
Raiders vs Defenders: The Key Battle
Can Paltan’s Defence Contain Arjun Deshwal?
Puneri Paltan boast the highest average tackle points in PKL 12 (11.8 at 46% strike rate), anchored by their formidable corners Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj. Both defenders have maintained a 60% strike rate, placing them among the league’s elite.
- Gaurav Khatri: 39 tackle points, 3 High 5s, 64% SR in wins
- Vishal Bhardwaj: 30 tackle points, 2 High 5s, consistent over all match intervals
However, recent games have exposed slight vulnerability. Puneri Paltan exceeded 10 tackle points in only two of their last five matches, suggesting Arjun Deshwal could exploit any lapses.
Arjun Deshwal’s Impact:
- Against Patna Pirates: 26 raid points, 93% strike rate
- Total PKL 12 raid points: 153 (59% of team total)
- Average per match: 11.8 points with eight Super 10s
Clearly, Tamil Thalaivas rely heavily on their captain. If Arjun is in form, victory chances soar; if not, the team struggles to score.
Nitesh Kumar: Thalaivas’ Defensive Anchor
Nitesh Kumar has emerged as PKL 12’s top defender, becoming the first player to hit 50 tackle points. His dominance at left corner is crucial for Tamil Thalaivas:
- 51 tackle points, 3.9 average, 5 High 5s
- Strike rate: 59%, consistent across all match intervals
- Assist support from Ronak (55 assists) and Aashish (38 assists) highlights Thalaivas’ coordinated defence
Nitesh’s form suggests he can potentially counter Puneri Paltan’s raiding threat, particularly Aditya Shinde, whose 111% strike rate in 2-3 defender scenarios makes him dangerous.
Puneri Paltan: Balanced and Efficient
Puneri Paltan’s recent performances underline their balance:
- Aditya Shinde: Primary raiding weapon with 106 raid points and five Super 10s
- Pankaj Mohite: Supporting raider with resurgence in form, scoring 57 points in last 8 matches
- Defence led by Gaurav Khatri and Vishal Bhardwaj remains the league’s best overall
Despite minor defensive dips recently, their winning streak of four matches puts them in prime position to clinch a Top 8 spot.
Historical Context
- Head-to-Head: 13 matches – Tamil Thalaivas 4, Puneri Paltan 7, Tied 2
- Puneri Paltan have won 5 of the last 7 meetings, including the thrilling PKL 9 semifinal (39-37).
- Arjun Deshwal historically fares well against Paltan’s corners, making this clash tactically intriguing.
Key Player Battles
- Arjun Deshwal vs Paltan Corners:
- Strong records against Abinesh Nadarajan, Gurdeep, Vishal Bhardwaj
- Slight deficit against Gaurav Khatri, making him the focal defensive target
- Nitesh Kumar vs Paltan Raiders:
- Will aim to counter Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite’s combined raiding threat
- Assist support from Ronak and Aashish critical for defensive coordination
What to Expect
This fixture promises a strategic battle where defensive excellence might dictate outcomes. Tamil Thalaivas look to ride Arjun Deshwal’s form and home advantage, while Puneri Paltan aim to leverage their balanced attack and superior defensive record to secure Top 8 qualification.
Expect a low-scoring, tightly contested match, with decisive moments likely coming from raider-defender duels and how well support players execute.
Match Details
- Match: Tamil Thalaivas vs Puneri Paltan – Match 78, PKL Season 12
- Date: Saturday, 11th October 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM IST
- Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi