UP Yoddhas vs Tamil Thalaivas Key Battles: Pardeep Narwal vs Sagar and more

All eyes will be on Pardeep Narwal and Narender.

Tamil Thalaivas is set to take on UP Yoddhas in the second eliminator in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 9 playoffs. UP Yoddhas has qualified for the playoffs successively since season 6 and has been one of the most consistent sides in the PKL but hasn't made it to any of the finals losing in the semifinals. They will be up against playoff debutants Tamil Thalaivas who have a young and inexperienced side. Overall UP Yoddhas will be having a slight edge with experience.

The battle to look forward

3. Surender Gill vs Abhishek M

In the left cover position, Abhishek M has had a good season scoring points and is also involved in many unsuccessful tackles. Mohit off late has decreased the number of unsuccessful tackles but Abhishek with his aggressive skills isn't able to control himself. He will be up against Surender Gill, who will return from injury after having played only 13 matches this season. Abhishek is known for his dashes and can single-handedly throw the raider out of the court but his retrieving skills are not fast which Gill can make use of. 

2. Nitesh Kumar vs Narender Kandola

Narender Kandola scored the most number of points in a single season for Tamil Thalaivas breaking the record held by Ajay Thakur. Narender will be up against Nitesh Kumar who has not had the best season. Nitesh is the only defender to date to score more than 100 tackle points in a single PKL season. This season the combination with Sumit too hasn't worked out in UP’s favour. 

Nevertheless, with experience, Nitesh can pull up his performance and break Narender’s flow of raid points. Narender is the kind of raider who doesn’t make full use of the court rather only attacks the left flank and uses the dubki to good effect. So UP Yoddhas should always attack Narender with chain tackle with Nitesh pulling the raider deep inside the bonus line.

1. Sagar vs Pardeep Narwal

Sagar was the most successful defender for the southern outfits and played 17 matches this season but an unfortunate injury ruled him out of the Hyderabad leg. There were talks of him coming back to the side if they make it to the playoffs and with Tamil Thalaivas qualifying Sagar can be expected to start or either play as a substitute.

Pardeep Narwal will be up against star defender Sagar who is excellent with his ankle holds. Pardeep off late has been scoring a good number of bonus points and this should enable Sagar to attack Pardeep more often.