PKL 9: Bengaluru Bulls favourites against Arjun Deshwal's Jaipur Pink Panthers

Bharat scored 20 points in the previous game of the away team.

Jaipur Pink Panthers were beaten by lower-ranked Tamil Thalaivas (27-38) a shock defeat in the first encounter of the Pune leg. Jaipur did not start with Arjun Deshwal which might be a tactical move but that did not pay off with Jaipur losing all the momentum in the first half itself. Sunil Kumar the captain looked couldn't redefine his old form. Jaipur Pink Panthers will next face an in-form Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 9.

Bengaluru Bulls won a close and high-scoring encounter against Dabang Delhi KC (47-44). Bharat was the star of the show scoring 20 raid points and also his 5th super ten of season 9. Saurabh Nandal in defence played an important role scoring a high 5.

Team News

Jaipur Pink Panthers

Raiders: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Deshwal, Devank, Rahul Chaudhari, Nitin Panwar, Navneet, Bhavani Rajput

All-Rounder: Rahul Gorakh Dhanawade 

Defenders: Sunil Kumar, Abhishek KS, Ashish, Ankush, Sahul Kumar, Deepak, Woosan KO, Lucky Sharma, Reza Mirbagheri, Nitin Chandel

Bengaluru Bulls

Raiders: Vikash Kandola, More G B, Lala Mohar Yadav, Neeraj Narwal, Harmanjit Singh, Bharat, Nageshor Tharu

All-Rounders: Sachin Narwal, Rahul Khatik

Defenders: Mahender Singh, Saurabh Nandal, Mayur Kadam, Sudhakar Krishant, Rohit Kumar, Vinod Naik, Aman, Rajnesh, Yash Hooda

Head to Head

Bengaluru Bulls and Jaipur Pink Panthers have faced each other 15 times in the Pro Kabaddi League out of which, Bengaluru Bulls have won seven whereas Patna Pirates have come out victorious on seven occasions with one match ending in a tie.

Player to watch

Ankush has looked like the most consistent player in defence and scored four points in the defeat against Tamil Thalaivas in the last encounter of PKL 9. The onus of Ankush will be to stop Vikash Kandola in the start not to take away easy bonus points and restrict the flow of points. Sahul and Sunil shall provide Ankush with good support.  

Saurabh Nandal has been holding the defence section strong since the start of season 9. In the previous victory against Dabang Delhi KC, none of the defenders could score more than one tackle point. If Saurabh is provided with good support then Bengaluru can play a more positive brand of Kabaddi.

Key to Success

Jaipur Pink Panthers raiding apart from Arjun Deshwal hasn't fired yet in the first eight games which is hurting them. Both Ajith and Rahul Chaudhari were substituted after starting the match in the last encounter but couldn't score much. Arjun Deshwal showed some respite in the second half scoring nine points. For Jaipur to win and get to the playoffs either Ajith or Rahul Chaudhari needs to score consistently.

The raiding department has been the key to success and Bharat has played a massive role in Bengaluru Bulls performing well in season 9. Vikash Kandola has not had the best start to the season and in the last game could score only four raid points whereas Bharat scored 20. Randhir Singh Sehrawat needs to mould Vikash Kandola soon.

Did you know

Rahul Chaudhari is five points away from reaching the 1000 raid points mark. He will become the third athlete after Pardeep Narwal and Maninder Singh to reach the magical figure. 

Broadcast - PKL 9

Time - 07:30 PM

Streaming - Star Sports / Disney + Hotstar