Gujarat Giants square off with U.P. Yoddhas in a clash in the 20th match of the Season 8 of Pro Kabaddi League in Bengaluru at the Sheraton Grand on Wednesday. The two teams will be aiming to get the campaign back on track after registering just one win in their first three matches of the season.
The UP Yoddhas is ranked 7th on the points table while the Giants are placed above them. The newly renamed franchise is eyeing a leap in the standings having won, lost, and drawn one match apiece.
How have they done so far?
U.P Yoddhas began their campaign with a loss against the defending champions Bengal Warriors but edged out the Patna Pirates in the following match. However, the franchise from northern India couldn’t hold their nerves in the dying minutes against the Jaipur Pink Panthers and was handed an agonizing defeat by Deepak Niwas Hooda and co.
The UP defense has been leaking points and registered only 4 tackle points against the Jaipur Pink Panthers. They were impatient and Arjun Deshwal and Hooda took full advantage of this shortcoming.
Gujarat Giants were impressive in the first match against the pink team but were on the wrong end of a close encounter against the Bengal Warriors. In the previous match, the Giants and Dabang Delhi were tranquil in their approach. The Giants were dominant against Delhi but were undone by Naveen Kumar’s brilliance on multiple occasions.
Head to head record
Gujarat Giants have won 3 out of the 5 fixtures against the U.P. Yoddhas with the Uttar Prashed-based team winning a solitary match while one match was drawn.
Key Players
Pardeep scored just 3 points in the previous match which will be a cause of concern
Pardeep Narwal: The poster boy of the Pro Kabaddi League has been on the mat for just 53.6% of the time and that has hurt the U.P Yoddhas. The raider has been impressive on most occasions but in the previous match against the Jaipur Pink Panthers, the raider could bag only 3 points. Pardeep Narwal’s form will be a cause of concern for the Yoddhas who have broken the bank for them and his performance will determine the result of the clash.
Rakesh Narwal: The raider has been a surprise package of PKL 8 with 27 points in the three matches so far. The Giants were seen as a defense-heavy unit but with the revelation of Rakesh as the key raider, Gujarat will be one of the teams to watch out for. He has been on the mat during 89% of the raids and it makes him a reliable and go-to player.
Predicted Starting 7s
Gujarat Giants: Rakesh Narwal, Sunil Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal, Sonu Singh, Rakesh, Ravinder Pahal, Girish Maruti
U.P. Yoddhas: Pardeep Narwal, Rohit Tomar, Surender Gill, Ashu Singh, Gurdeep, Nitesh Kumar, Sumit
Prediction
Both the teams have blown hot and cold in the season so far and have failed to win the matches at crucial junctures. The Giants have a well-rounded team and a better setup than Yoddhas and will be going into this match as favorites.