PKL 12: Key player battles to watch out for in Match 21, Haryana Steelers vs Bengaluru Bulls

Haryana Steelers will look to maintain their winning momentum against Bengaluru Bulls.

Defending champions Haryana Steelers have made a stunning comeback after losing to Bengal Warriorz in their first match in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12).

On the other hand, Bengaluru Bulls have also found their rhythm in their last match against Patna Pirates. After losing three consecutive matches, the Bulls showcased a complete performance to register their first win. With both teams returning to their winning ways, it will be interesting to see how they approach this upcoming clash.

Haryana Steelers‘ raiders and defenders have found their form after failure in the first match of the season. Naveen Kumar is back in his roaring form, and so are Rahul Sethpal, Rahul Ahri, and Jaideep Dahiya.

On the other hand, Bengaluru Bulls’ raiding department still has a lot of work to do. Their defence clicked well in the previous match, and they would want to continue it in the upcoming clash against the Steelers.

On that note, let’s take a look at the key battles to watch out for between Haryana Steelers vs Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 12.

Naveen Kumar vs Yogesh Dahiya

Naveen Kumar is the most experienced raider for Haryana Steelers, and he has played with that responsibility. After a poor start to the season against Bengal Warriorz, Kumar had a great comeback and has scored 15 raid points in the next 2 matches. More importantly, he scored points at crucial moments of the game and played a vital role in the team’s victory.

If the Bulls want to clinch their second win of the season, they must put restrictions on giving points to Naveen Kumar. Who better than the captain himself to take the responsibility?

In the absence of Ankush Rathee and Akash Shinde, Yogesh Dahiya led the team to their first win of the season. He worked well in combination with other defenders and will look to repeat the same against the Steelers.

Also Read: PKL 12: Haryana Steelers vs Bengaluru Bulls prediction, possible starting 7, head-to-head & free live stream

Aashish Malik vs Rahul Sethpal

Aashish Malik has been one of the most reliable raiders for Bengaluru Bulls this season. Malik has scored 28 raid points and 2 tackle points in 4 matches. When the other raiders failed to score points, Malik was the one to steal raid points from the opponents.

However, it hasn’t been enough to move on in the season. He would have to be more active and play the role of the main raider, especially in the absence of Akash Shinde.

On the other hand, Rahul Sethpal has found his rhythm and compatibility with the new left corner in the last couple of matches. Sethpal scored a High 5 in the previous clash and has 9 tackle points this season. Malik isn’t in the sharpest mode yet, and if Sethpal and company can put pressure on him, they might get the edge over the Bulls.

Rahul Ahri vs Alireza Mirzaian

Alireza Mirzaian is another raider for the Bulls, who has worked well for them. He is the highest point scorer for the Bulls and has scored 29 raid points in 4 matches, including 2 Super 10s. He will once again be looked up to for getting the raid points for the team against Haryana Steelers on Monday.

On the other hand, stopping him from getting those points might be a game-changer for the Steelers. Rahul Ahri, who is a newly added player for the Steelers, has found his rhythm and looked sharp in the previous match, where he scored 6 tackle points, with great positive tackling.

He had big shoes to fill as he was appointed to hold the left corner in place of Mohammadreza Shadloui. After a shaky start, Ahri seems to have found his way. However, it is extremely early to speak, and it will be interesting to see how he ends this season.

Both teams have solid and structured defences at the moment. The match will turn in favour of the team whose raiders can keep their composure and play better tonight.

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