PKL 11: Key battles to watch out for in match 8 Puneri Paltan vs Patna Pirates

Three-time champions Patna Pirates will begin their PKL 11 campaign against Puneri.

The Puneri Paltan kicked off their PKL 11 campaign with a dominant 35-25 win against the Haryana Steelers at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. Gaurav Khatri led the charge for Puneri Paltan, scoring 7 points, while Pankaj Mohite, Mohit Goyat, and Aman contributed 4 points each. Aslam Inamdar also added 5 points. Puneri Paltan will now face Patna Pirates on October 21st, in what promises to be an exciting encounter.

The Pro Kabaddi League’s eleventh season, PKL 11 is already thrilling fans, and Puneri Paltan will look to continue their strong start when they face the Patna Pirates, who will be starting their season in this clash. Patna Pirates have undergone major changes in their squad, letting go of several big names.

Coach Narendra Redhu is relying on a younger, dynamic squad to outperform last season, but their lack of experience might be a challenge. That being said let us take a look at the key player battle that will decide the outcome of the game.

Jang Kun Lee vs Gaurav Khatri

Jang Kun Lee, a fan favourite, returns to the PKL after a four-year absence in PKL 11. Known for his signature ‘Flying Korean Kick,’ Lee is one of the league’s most experienced raiders with 471 points to his name. He will be the key figure leading Patna’s attack, especially as the only raider in the team with over 60 PKL games.

Gaurav Khatri, stepping up in the absence of Puneri Paltan’s defensive powerhouse Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, will play a crucial role in stopping Jang Kun Lee. Khatri had an impressive start to PKL 11, securing 7 points with a tackle success rate of 78%. His leadership in defence will be key for Puneri Paltan.

Mohit Goyat vs Shubham Shinde

Mohit Goyat, one of Puneri Paltan’s top raiders with 475 career points, will be a player to watch. He scored 4 points in their first match of the season and is expected to be a major force in PKL 11.

Shubham Shinde will be the player tasked with stopping Goyat. Shinde will be a reliable defender for Patna Pirates, and his defensive skills will be crucial in this encounter. In PKL Season 10, he had a strong presence on the mat, participating in 22 matches and recording 116 total tackles. With 57 tackle points and an impressive average time on the mat of 82.23%, Shinde was a key figure in his team’s defence.

M Sudhakar vs Sanket Sawant

Sudhakar is one of Patna Pirates’ best Indian raiders, having scored over 100 points last season. He will lead the raiding department alongside Jang Kun Lee. Known for his consistency in high-pressure situations, Sudhakar will be a vital player for Patna.

Sanket Sawant, a key defender for Puneri Paltan, will look to counter Sudhakar’s raids. Sawant played a significant role in PKL 10 and will be expected to continue his defensive contributions in PKL 11. He had 32 tackle points last season and will need to do his best to stop Patna’s raiders. Sawant had quite a modest outing in their PKL 11 opener against the Haryana Steelers.

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