The 26th match of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 will see the in-form UP Yoddhas take on a resurgent Haryana Steelers on October 30 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad at 9:00 PM IST.
The Yoddhas have had a fantastic run in the league so far, notching up three wins in four games to hold a strong second spot in the points table. They started PKL 11 with a bang, claiming victories in their opening two games and proving themselves as one of the more formidable teams this season. Despite a minor setback against the Bengal Warriors in a narrow 32-29 loss, they quickly bounced back with a dominant 35-29 victory over Gujarat Giants.
Bharat Hooda has been the driving force for the Yoddhas’ offense, repeatedly stepping up and delivering stellar performances. In their last match, he tallied an impressive 13 raid points, proving his reliability in high-pressure situations. Although captain Surender Gill had an off-day, Bhavani Rajput provided much-needed support with nine points.
While the team has looked strong, there is still room for improvement, especially in defense. They’ve shown composure, but lapses at critical moments could be costly against a side as defensively astute as the Haryana Steelers.
The Steelers have had a rollercoaster of a season, currently sitting in eighth place with two wins and one loss. They had a rough start, losing to defending champions Puneri Paltan, but have since bounced back with two back-to-back victories against top-tier opponents Jaipur Pink Panthers and Dabang Delhi KC. Their latest win against Delhi was an emphatic 41-34, marking a strong comeback from their early setbacks.
The Haryana-based franchise have benefitted immensely from the return of Jaideep Dahiya, who has led by example with a stellar High 5 against Delhi, bringing stability to the defense. Mohammadreza Shadloui has been a superstar, as always, contributing significantly on both ends of the mat.
Against Delhi, he not only racked up four tackle points but also chipped in with six raid points. Shivam Patare came back to form with eight raid points and was well supported by other raiders.
UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers Match Details
Match: UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers, Match 26, PKL 2024
Date: October 30, 2024, 9:00 PM IST
Venue: Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad
UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers Form Guide in PKL 2024
UP Yoddhas (UP): WLWW
Haryana Steelers (HAR): WWL
UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers Player Squads
UP Yoddhas (UP): Gagan Gowda, Keshav Kumar, Bharat Hooda, Bhavani Rajput, Heidarali Ekrami, Surender Gill (C), Akshay Suryawanshi, Shivam Chaudhary, Ashu Singh, Hitesh, Sachin, Sahul Kumar, Mahender Singh, Vivek, Sumit, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi, Gangaram, Jayesh Mahajan
Haryana Steelers (HAR): Gnana Abishek S, Vinay, Vikas Jadhav, Naveen, Manikandan S., Sanskar Mishra, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Rahul Sethpal, Jayasoorya Ns, Sanjay, Shivam Patare, Ashish Gill, Sahil, Hardeep, Jaideep Dahiya (C), Ghanshyam Magar, Vishal Tate, Mohit Nandal, Manikandan N
UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers Expected Playing 7
UP Yoddhas (UP): Surender Gill (C), Ashu Singh, Mahender Singh, Bhavani Rajput, Bharat, Sahul Kumar, Sumit
Haryana Steelers (HAR): Shivam Patare, Sanjay, Jaideep Dahiya (C), Vinay, Naveen, Rahul Sethpal, Mohammadreza Shadloui
UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers Match Prediction
The UP Yoddhas have displayed greater consistency and an all-round approach this season, making them slight favorites in this encounter.
On the other hand, the Haryana Steelers’ reliance on Shadloui for both defense and raiding could make them vulnerable against a well-coordinated team like the Yoddhas. Jaideep Dahiya’s defensive leadership is a huge asset, but their over-dependence on a few players might expose gaps in their lineup.
For the Steelers to pull off a win, they’ll need consistent support from secondary raiders and a strong defensive stand, especially against Bharat, who has been in phenomenal form.
Prediction: UP Yoddhas to win, but the Steelers have the potential to keep it close if Shadloui and Dahiya perform to their full potential.
UP Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers Telecast Details
TV: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu and Star Sports 1 Kannada
Live Stream: Disney+ Hotstar