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Season five of the Pro Kabaddi League has started to gain some momentum as the last week saw an exciting array of matches in the Ahmedabad leg.
The home team, Gujarat Fortunegiants, made the most of their advantage as they stayed unbeaten in their six matches, winning five and playing out a tie in their last encounter.
Teams will be looking to do well in the Lucknow leg, which will first see the second half of the Inter Zone Challenge Week, before closing with zonal matches.
The U.P. Yoddha will be keen on making the best use of their home advantage and propelling themselves to the top of the standings.
Here are five player battles that will play a crucial role in their teams' fortunes in the Lucknow leg:
#1 Nitin Tomar (U.P. Yoddha) vs Suresh Kumar (U Mumba)
The captain of the home team, Nitin Tomar has been in great form in season five of the Pro Kabaddi League, coming to life in the Ahmedabad leg of the tournament.
The Yoddha have been solid as a unit so far, winning three of their five matches, losing only one and playing out a tie in the other. Tomar has been key to their good play, having scored 33 points so far, and will look to get the home leg off to a great start against U Mumba.
The team from Mumbai will have their task cut out and after a tough beginning to the tournament, would be looking to get back on track with a win.
They would look to their right cover defender, Suresh Kumar, to provide the defensive solidity they have lacked so far. Kumar has accrued a total of eight points in four matches, and will need to step up to stop Tomar.
#2 Jeeva Kumar (U.P. Yoddha) vs Vikas Kandola (Haryana Steelers)
Vikas Kandola has been the Steelers' main source of offense and his energetic raids have helped them put points on board for their defence to fight for.
Kandola has scored 22 points in his four matches so far, and despite his consistency, Haryana have won only one of their four matches, losing one and playing out a tie in the other two.
He will have to be at his best to ensure his side defeat the home team, who will be banking on Jeeva Kumar to stop him.
Kumar, who can play as both right and left cover, has been an important figure in the Yoddha's rearguard, and has scored 11 points in five matches.
The winner of this battle will go a long way in determining who wins the encounter between the two teams.
#3 Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates) vs Sandeep Narwal (Puneri Paltan)
The battle of the Narwals will see Patna's Pardeep try and outlast former team-mate, Sandeep, who is a leading all-rounder in the league, and one of Pune's best players.
Both teams are currently second in their respective zones, with the Pirates still unbeaten, having accumulated 18 points from their four matches, while the Paltan have 16 points from their four matches, having lost only one match.
Pardeep Narwal has been in scintillating form this season as well, and has so far amassed a tally of 51 points in four matches. His ability to pull off incredibly difficult raids will serve him well against a strong and agile defender like Sandeep, who has so far contributed 24 points, 12 while tackling and 12 while raiding.
#4 Sachin (Gujarat Fortunegiants) vs Girish Maruti Ernak (Puneri Paltan)
Having had a great home leg, the Gujarat Fortunegiants would be looking to continue their good run as they take on the Puneri Paltan.
Sachin, whose raiding has been crucial to Gujarat's rise to the top of the table in Zone A, has so far scored 54 points in nine matches, and has been playing the best kabaddi of his life.
He has been immense for his side and his raiding has seen his stock rise tremendously. He would be focused on getting the better of Girish Maruti Ernak, who has used his physicality and strength to great effect so far.
Ernak has scored 10 points in four matches so far in what has been a sedate start to the season for him. He would be looking to step up for his team and help them get an important win over the team from Gujarat.
#5 Rishank Devadiga (U.P. Yoddha) vs Ran Singh (Bengal Warriors)
The former U Mumba raider has made a steady start to life as a U.P. Yoddha, having scored a total of 20 points in four matches.
The young and quick Devadiga has been an important part of the Uttar Pradesh outfit's raiding department and his energetic, fast raiding will come in handy against an experienced team like the Bengal Warriors.
Ran Singh will go up against the man from the Yoddha and the all-rounder would be focused on bringing his A-game to their match-up.
With 15 points from five matches, Singh has epitomised consistency in this year's tournament so far, and would be looking to build on his performances.
The winner of the battle between Rishank Devadiga and Ran Singh will definitely tip the scales in his team's favour.
