Delhi’s Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium is the venue for Match 87 of PKL Season 12, where two teams are battling for the last available playoff spot. Gujarat Giants are entering the fight with a new lease of life after a good run, while Tamil Thalaivas want to recover from their recent loss.
Giants Discover Their Groove
Gujarat Giants have made a comeback in the season right at the moment. The scenario has changed drastically for them after being stuck at the bottom for weeks. Their newfound toughness comes from better defense as well as the input of some surprise individuals.
The Giants had back-to-back matches where they scored 15 tackle points, which is an indication that the defensive unit has gelled well.
Their record in recent fixtures tells a story of momentum:
- Beat Patna Pirates 40-32
- Lost to Dabang Delhi 33-39
- Beat UP Yoddhas 41-39
- Beat Bengal Warriorz 47-40
Three victories in four matches have given them the push they needed to climb the standings. Currently sitting in 10th position, they remain just outside playoff spots but possess the form to challenge higher-ranked teams. On Kheloexch, fans are keeping a close eye on their surge up the table.
Himanshu Singh Steps Up Big
Himanshu Singh, coming off the bench, has been the revelation that everyone is talking about. He produced two Super 10 performances in a row that completely altered the direction of the Giants’ recent matches.
In the match against Patna Pirates, he made 11 points at the rate of 52% success from across 21 raids, and then he made another 11 points at the astonishing rate of 92% success against Dabang Delhi.
Captain Rakesh has achieved 4 Super 10s in 14 matches this season, scoring 107 raid points at an average of 7.6. H
However, his performances show interesting patterns:
- First half: 76 points at 63% success rate
- Second half: 31 points at 36% success rate
This split suggests stamina concerns or tactical adjustments by opponents as matches progress. Himanshu’s impact off the bench has provided the perfect solution when Rakesh needs support.
Shadloui’s Defensive Transformation
Mohammadreza Shadloui started the season slowly but has become a defensive force in recent weeks. His evolution tells a remarkable story of adaptation and improvement.
Comparing his first 8 matches to his next 6 matches shows the dramatic shift:
- Early season: 9 tackle points at 29% success rate with zero High 5s
- Recent form: 20 tackle points at 54% success rate with 2 High 5s
Shadloui has been a strong nemesis against the Tamil Thalaivas since the inception of his career in the Pro Kabaddi League. He has managed to get 35 points from tackles with a success rate of 58%, with 4 of those being High 5s, in all the 9 matches performed against this team.
He has really turned the tide in the second half of the games this season, for he has scored 18 points at 49% success rate compared to just 11 points at 35% in first halves. So, the fans who are following on Kheloexch, his defensive stats have been a major talking point.
Arjun Deshwal Chases PKL History
The Tamil Thalaivas’ leading raider Arjun Deshwal is very close to creating PKL history. He is currently level with Pawan Sehrawat on the lifetime rankings at 1,340 career raid points, which puts him in third place overall. Hitting just one point would be sufficient to get him over the great raider’s shoulder and into solo third place.
This season, Arjun has been the second-most productive raider of PKL 12 with 166 points scored at a 56% success rate.
His recent form has been inconsistent though, with brilliant Super 10 performances alternating with struggles:
- 26 points at 93% success rate vs Patna Pirates
- 22 points at 79% success rate vs Haryana Steelers
- 7 points at 39% success rate vs UP Yoddhas
- 6 points at 40% success rate vs Puneri Paltan
Against full defensive lines with 6-7 defenders, Arjun excels with 101 points at 65% success rate. However, his head-to-head record against Shadloui heavily favors him at 21-8.
Nitesh Kumar Leads Defensive Charts
Nitesh Kumar, the first defender of the current season, reached the 50- tackle- point milestone, and he is still the leader among all defenders with 56 points in 15 matches. He is very consistent with his average of 3.7 tackle points per match at 56% success rate.
What makes Nitesh stand out is his ability to do well regardless of the match outcome. His defensive contributions remain the same whether Tamil Thalaivas might be victorious or lose. His understanding of the situation with different defender counts shows tactical intelligence, especially in super tackle scenarios where he succeeds at 75%.
Sagar Rathee Returns From Injury
Tamil Thalaivas has been given a big lift with Sagar Rathee’s return from injury. In his first match back against UP Yoddhas he was impressive with a High 5 performance right away with 5 tackle points at a success rate of 71%.
He is the franchise’s all-time leading tackler with 232 points, so his experience and quality make a huge contribution to their defensive unit.
Head-to-Head History
Gujarat Giants hold a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record with 7 victories compared to Tamil Thalaivas’ 5 victories and 1 tie. Earlier this season in Match 18, the Giants secured a 9-point victory with Nitin Panwar’s High 5 performance proving decisive.
What This Match Means
Both teams need points desperately to keep playoff hopes alive. Gujarat Giants’ momentum meets Tamil Thalaivas’ need to stop their slide, setting up a tense tactical battle. The outcome could define both teams’ playoff aspirations as the season enters its crucial phase.
