Pro Kabaddi League Season 5: Five player battles to watch out for in the Ranchi leg

Season five of the Pro Kabaddi League has been a humdinger so far and the action has now moved to the home of the two-time defending champions, the Patna Pirates.

Teams are now performing at a very high level as they attempt to qualify for the playoffs to ensure they have a chance of winning the title in what has been an incredibly intense season so far.

Haryana Steelers made the most of their home advantage in the previous leg in Sonepat to rocket to the top of the standings in Zone A and Patna will be hoping to do the same thanks to the brilliance of their captain, Pardeep Narwal.

With the Pirates playing six matches in the next week, their fans will be looking to cheer them on in what should be a closely contested set of matches.

Here are five of the most entertaining player battles that will determine which team does well in Ranchi:

#1 Kashiling Adake (U Mumba) vs Abozar Mohajer Mighani (Gujarat Fortunegiants)

U Mumba will be facing the Gujarat Fortunegiants twice during their time in Ranchi, and the battle between Kashiling Adake and Abozar Mighani might just determine which team holds the upper hand going into their reverse fixture later in the leg.

Kashiling has slowly risen to the occasion, scoring 23 points in his last two matches, including 15 in their last match against Patna Pirates. His explosive raiding style, combined with his ability to raid for a long duration of time, will stand him in good stead against the Fortunegiants.

Iran's Abozar will be tasked with the job of defending Adake, who has scored 68 points in 13 matches. Mighani has been one of the most effective defenders in season five of the Pro Kabaddi League, scoring 39 points in 13 matches.

Gujarat will be banking on their Iranian star's physical, smothering style of defence to ensure that they can continue their good run and move back to the top of the Zone A table.

#2 Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates) vs Jeeva Kumar (U.P. Yoddha)

The defending champions will be reliant on their captain and leading raider, Pardeep Narwal, who is having an incredible individual season in the Pro Kabaddi League.

With 149 points from only 11 matches, Pardeep has excelled in every match, playing with the poise and perfection that most others can only dream of.

U.P. Yoddha will have their task cut out as they attempt to reduce his efficiency and will look to defender Jeeva Kumar, to marshal their defence and keep Narwal in check.

Kumar, who plays as both right and left cover, has been key for the Yoddha as they maintain a steady position in the table, positioning themselves for a shot at rising up the standings.

The team from Uttar Pradesh have conceded more points than they have scored and would like to address that concern among their fans by putting in a solid defensive performance.

#3 Jaideep (Patna Pirates) vs Maninder Singh (Bengal Warriors)

Though the Pirates are heavily reliant on their offence powered by Pardeep Narwal and Monu Goyat, their defence has done the job when called upon.

Jaideep has been crucial in that rearguard, helping the team keep its shape and structure, allowing them to be one of the top teams in Zone B. He has scored 26 points in the 11 matches he has played, becoming his team's go-to defender.

The man who plays at left corner will have to focus on stopping the Bengal Warriors' Maninder Singh, who has had a great season himself.

Maninder has raided without fear, utilising his speed and strength very well, to score 102 points from the 13 matches he has been a part of. Raiding has been the Warriors' strength and they would be expecting more of the same from Singh, as they look to overcome their recent slump and consolidate their position at the top of the standings in Zone B.

#4 Sandeep Narwal (Puneri Paltan) vs Wazir Singh (Haryana Steelers)

The Puneri Paltan have played only 10 matches, joint least in the league, and have already notched up 37 points. If they win their matches in hand, they will reach the top of the table in Zone B.

That indicates how solid a team they have been and how efficient their performances have been. Sandeep Narwal has been a big part of their run, contributing on both ends of the mat.

With a total of 54 points, Narwal has shown why the team were right to get him on board. His physical style of defending, which has yielded him 26 points so far, will be important if the Paltan are to stop Haryana Steelers' Wazir Singh.

Singh has been in great form for the Steelers and was pivotal in their rise to the top of the standings in Zone A. He has been their most effective raider and his smart, incisive bursts have helped him score 66 points in 14 matches.

The winner of this battle will tilt the balance of the tie in their team's favour.

#5 Jasvir Singh (Jaipur Pink Panthers) vs Surender Nada (Haryana Steelers)

Jaipur Pink Panthers have had a mixed bag of a season so far and despite possessing a positive record, they languish in fifth place in Zone A, with 31 points from 10 matches.

Jasvir Singh has been crucial to the Pink Panthers' hopes and his raiding will determine if they can defeat Haryana Steelers, who are sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Singh has scored 48 points in nine matches and his determined, forceful style of raiding combined with his gamesmanship gives the franchise from Jaipur a different sort of edge.

Haryana's charge to the top has been built on the back of their strong defence where captain Surender Nada plays a vital role. The man who plays left corner has already scored 51 tackle points from 14 matches and will be key if the Steelers are to continue their stay at the top.

Edited by Souvik Roy Chowdhury