PKL 9: Naveen Kumar's Dabang Delhi aim to end losing run

The defending champions enter this clash having lost five matches on the trot.

Dabang Delhi KC and Jaipur Pink Panthers are going through a bad phase in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 9. The reigning champions have lost their fifth successive encounter. The northern side lost their last encounter to Puneri Paltan despite Naveen Express scoring his ninth Super 10. But that wasn't enough for Dabang Delhi to stop their losing run.

Their opponents Jaipur Pink Panthers are going through the same phase losing three successive encounters. Jaipur were second in the points table at one stage, but are now slowly sliding down the points table which might hurt their playoff chances. Arjun Deshwal as usual is dominating the raiding department, but with little support.

Team News

Dabang Delhi KC

Raiders: Naveen Kumar, Manjeet, Ashu Malik, Ashish Narwal, Suraj Panwar

Defenders: Ravi Kumar, Sandeep Dhull, Amit Hooda, Vishal, Anil Kumar, Monu, Dipak, Krishan, Vinay Kumar, Vijay, Mohammad Liton Ali, Aakash

All-rounders: Vijay, Tejas Patil, Reza Katoulinezhad

Jaipur Pink Panthers

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

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

All-Rounder: Rahul Gorakh Dhanawade

Head-to-Head

Dabang Delhi KC and Jaipur Pink Panthers have faced each other 18 times in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Delhi have won seven times, while Jaipur came out victorious on nine occasions. Two matches ended in a tie.

Player to watch

Jaipur Pink Panthers raider V Ajith Kumar has been a disappointment this season. However, this is a good opportunity for Ajith to get back his confidence and form against Dabang Delhi, whose defence who have leaked points consistently. This will help Arjun Deshwal to play freely without much pressure.

For Dabang Delhi, Ashu Malik has been the most improved raider and has replaced Manjeet from the secondary raider’s spot. The youngster had a slow start to the season but in the past week has scored points equivalent to Naveen Kumar. Ashu needs to continue his form without putting much pressure on Naveen.

Key to Success

Dabang Delhi KC are losing games due to a leaky defence. Krishan Dhull and Ravi Kumar started the season on a bright note not allowing opposition raiders to score freely. However, since the defeat against Patna Pirates, the duo have been ineffective, often putting in unsuccessful tackles that resulted in super raids.

For Jaipur Pink Panthers, Ajith Kumar and Rahul Chaudhari need to get back in form and help Arjun Deshwal in raiding. Recently Arjun Deshwal did not start the match against Tamil Thalaivas due to an injury, but had to be substituted due to the inefficiency of the team’s secondary raiders. With Dabang Delhi KC’s defence not in good shape, this is the right time for the secondary raiders to get back their confidence and form.

Did you know?

Ashu Malik has scored 178 points overall (raid+defence) and has been scoring points at a good rate in PKL season 9.

Broadcast - PKL 9

Time - 08:30 PM

Streaming - Star Sports / Disney + Hotstar