The Jaipur Pink Panthers and the UP Yoddhas face off in the 35th match of Pro Kabaddi 2024 on Tuesday, November 5, at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
Arjun Deshwal and Co. are winless in their last three matches, most recently suffering a close 37-39 defeat at the hands of U Mumba. The captain himself is without a Super 10 in his last three outings, and he'll be keen to return to form at the Yoddhas' expense.
The Yoddhas were handed a shocking defeat by the Patna Pirates, whose young raiders were too much for their defense to handle, despite some fighting performances from Gagan Gowda and Hitesh, the right corner defender.
With both teams needing this win desperately to get back to winning ways, it should be a thrilling encounter.
On that note, let's look at the top three Dream11 surprise picks for this one.
#3 Ashu Singh (DEF) (UP) (12.5 Credits)
UP Yoddhas' right cover Ashu Singh hasn't had the best start to PKL 11, scoring only six tackle points in as many games. He has been one of the weak links in their defense. However, they will need him to be at his best if they are to stand a chance of stopping Arjun Deshwal, who isn't in the best of form either.
One of the more experienced PKL defenders, Ashu Singh has amassed 165 tackle points in 93 matches in the past, and he does tend to deliver in big games and moments. While there is plenty of risk associated with backing him against a strong Jaipur raiding unit, he is due a Dream11 haul, and this could be his game.
#2 Neeraj Narwal (ALL) (JAI) (12 Credits)
The vastly experienced and highly-rated Neeraj Narwal came good in a clutch situation for the Jaipur Pink Panthers against U Mumba, and while the result didn't go their way, his raiding performance bodes well for Arjun Deshwal's chances this season, as he finally looks like someone who can be the right foil for Arjun, capable of reviving him when he gets sent to the bench.
Neeraj scored a Super 10, also picking up two tackle points against U Mumba, effectively replacing Abhijeet Malik in the Jaipur starting 7. At 12 credits, he offers great value regardless of his performance, which should be good, coming against a somewhat scratchy looking UP Yoddhas defense.
He's a really solid Dream11 surprise pick.
#1 Hitesh (DEF) (UP) (12.5 Credits)
UP Yoddhas' right corner Hitesh had to settle for appearances off the bench in the first five matches of PKL 11, but when he got his chance to start in place of Sahul Kumar, he didn't miss. In a largely disappointing defensive effort against a marauding Patna Pirates raiding unit, Hitesh stood tall for the Yoddhas, securing a High 5, and will carry that confidence into this game.
While Vikash Khandola presents a left raiding option that could become an easy target for Hitesh, he also has a strong block and good tackle timing, which means that he could just as well get tackle points on right raiders like Arjun and Neeraj Narwal.
At 12.5 credits, an in-form right corner like Hitesh could be a steal of a Dream11 pick.