PKL 11: Key battles to watch out for in match 10 UP Yoddhas vs Bengaluru Bulls

Bengaluru Bulls have made a poor start to the season with two consecutive losses in PKL 11.

The UP Yoddhas kicked off their PKL Season 11 campaign with a solid performance, defeating Dabang Delhi K.C. 28-23 in their opening match at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.

Conversely, the Bengaluru Bulls have struggled in their initial outings in PKL 11, losing both matches against Telugu Titans and Gujarat Giants. As they prepare to face the Yoddhas on October 22, the Bulls are keen to turn their fortunes around and secure their first win of the season.

With both teams aiming for a crucial victory, the individual player battles will be key in determining the outcome of this Pro Kabaddi League match. Let’s delve into the exciting player battles that could influence the PKL 11 game.

Pardeep Narwal vs Sumit Sangwan

This season’s highly anticipated clash will feature the legendary “Dubki King,” Pardeep Narwal, Bengaluru Bulls’ captain, going head-to-head with UP Yoddhas’ experienced defender, Sumit Sangwan in PKL 11.

Pardeep Narwal, who is the most successful raider in PKL history with 1700 raid points, is aiming to regain his top form. Although he has had a slow start to the PKL11, with only 3 raid points from one match and a success rate of 21.42%, his reputation as a game-changer still looms large.

Sumit Sangwan will be the key defender for UP Yoddhas with 254 tackle points over five PKL seasons, will be tasked with stopping Pardeep’s raids. Known for his strong ankle holds and sharp dashes, Sumit’s defensive skills will be vital in limiting Pardeep’s impact and disrupting the Bulls’ offence.

In the PKL 11 match against Dabang Delhi K.C. Sumit Sangwan earned 2 tackle points with a 50% tackle success rate, making 4 tackles.

Bharat Hooda vs Saurabh Nandal

UP Yoddhas will count on their star raider, Bharat Hooda, to lead their charge in PKL 11. Hooda, who earned 282 raid points in Season 9, has proven to be one of the most reliable raiders in the league. His ability to penetrate the defence and collect raid points will be essential for UP Yoddhas. Although Bharat Hooda made a quiet start to PKL 11 against Daband Delhi with only seven raids and none successful, he can still cause immense problems for the struggling Bengaluru side.

On the other side, Bengaluru Bulls’ vice-captain and chief defender, Saurabh Nandal, will be responsible for stopping Bharat. Nandal, who has been a consistent force in defence since his debut in PKL Season 7, has accumulated 246 tackle points in his career and plays a crucial role in maintaining the Bulls’ defensive strength.

His 60% tackle success rate this season underlines his reliability, and his leadership will be put to the test against the dangerous Bharat Hooda.

Ajinkya Pawar vs Lucky Sharma

Ajinkya Pawar, one of Bengaluru Bulls’ top raiders, has been a star performer in previous seasons and was the Bulls’ highest-paid raider in the auction, purchased for ₹1.107 crore.

Despite an injury that kept him from fully participating in the first match, Pawar has managed to score 8 raid points from two games this season, although he is yet to hit his peak form. His ability to recover and find his rhythm will be crucial for the Bulls in the upcoming games.

On the defensive side, Lucky Sharma will be the key figure tasked with stopping Pawar. Lucky who has made a great start to the season with only two tackles against Dabang Delhi will look to up his game when they face a rather struggling Bengaluru Bulls.

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