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Season five of the Pro Kabaddi League is moving into its final week of league matches as the action shifts to Pune.
Puneri Paltan have shown that they are one of the best teams in the league and have the chance to go on top of the table in Zone A if they get some wins in their last six matches.
Though the Super Playoff spots have been sealed in Zone A, Bengaluru Bulls still have a minuscule chance of making the Super Playoffs from Zone B. As they look to win their three remaining matches, they would be hoping that U.P. Yoddha lose both of their matches.
With just one leg of league matches remaining, teams are working hard to iron out any issues as they get ready for the playoffs while the others continue to play for pride.
Here are five key player battles to watch out for in the Pune leg:
#1 Deepak Niwas Hooda (Puneri Paltan) vs Fazel Atrachali (Gujarat Fortunegiants)
The first of two matches between these two giants will open the Pune leg of the Pro Kabaddi League.
Puneri Paltan will rely on captain Deepak Niwas Hooda to get past the Gujarat defence. He has scored 107 points in their 16 matches so far, working efficiently when raiding.
Hooda has used a combination of touch points, bonus points and the odd risky raid to ensure that the Paltan defence has enough points on the board to defend.
Fazel Atrachali has been in immense form for the Gujarat Fortunegiants, continuing on from where he left off in season four when he was declared the best defender in the league.
The Iranian has scored 53 tackle points in 20 matches, using his strength and speed to perfection while executing dashes and ankle holds.
#2 Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru Bulls) vs Jeeva Kumar (U.P. Yoddha)
The Bengaluru Bulls have a faint shot at making the Super Playoffs and need to overcome the U.P. Yoddha twice to do that.
Facing the team from U.P. twice in the final leg, Bengaluru need to seize the initiative in their first encounter, and will rely on raider Rohit Kumar to do the same.
The talismanic Rohit has had a strong season, scoring 168 points in 19 matches and would be looking to add to his tally against the Yoddha. An adventurous raider, the Bengaluru man would be looking to rely on his ability to effect multi-point raids and use the bonus point provision well.
He will have to get the better of U.P. Yoddha's Jeeva Kumar, who can play both as right and left cover, and has anchored the Yoddha defence beautifully, scoring 42 tackle points in 20 matches.
Jeeva's strength and positioning will be tested by Rohit Kumar, who will utilise his speed to a great extent.
#3 Girish Maruti Ernak (Puneri Paltan) vs Wazir Singh (Haryana Steelers)
The man from Haryana has been in great form, scoring six points in their previous encounter and 14 points in the match before that.
Wazir Singh has accepted the challenge of leading the raiders for the Steelers and has registered a total of 104 raid points in 20 matches.
His ability to get bonus points is uncanny and paired with his knack of getting crucial points, has made Haryana one of the teams to beat.
Girish Ernak has had a strong showing so far this season, scoring 44 tackle points in 15 matches. Built like a matador, Ernak has used his physique and strength very well, timing his tackles and dashes to perfection.
He has dovetailed beautifully with Sandeep Narwal to help make Puneri Paltan a tough outfit to score points against.
#4 Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates) vs Mahender Singh (Bengaluru Bulls)
Patna Pirates depend heavily on captain Pardeep Narwal and his raiding ability and need him to get back to form ahead of the Super Playoffs.
Narwal would be keen to get some points on the board and help his team in their last league match as they take on the Bengaluru Bulls.
Utilising his power and pace exceptionally well, Pardeep has notched up a total of 247 points in 20 matches and would be looking to score as he normally does against Bengaluru.
Fighting for a position in the Super Playoffs, the Bulls would be focused on ensuring they keep the intensity up and would not want to allow Pardeep Narwal to score easily.
Mahender Singh has been solid in defence for Bengaluru, scoring 41 points in his 19 matches, as he has exhibited his power and athleticism well.
Their clash will decide the outcome of the match and might have a bearing on the overall standings.
#5 Vishal Bharadwaj (Telugu Titans) vs Maninder Singh (Bengal Warriors)
Telugu Titans failed to qualify for the Super Playoffs in season five but would want to end their campaign on a high.
They take on Bengal Warriors in their final clash and would be dependent on left corner Vishal Bharadwaj to help them deal with any danger posed by the Bengal raiders.
Bharadwaj has scored a total of 67 tackle points in 21 matches, using his quickness, strength and smart tackling to great effect.
He will have to stop the Warriors' Maninder Singh, who has been their leading raider, having scored 160 points in 18 matches.
A supremely athletic raider, Singh uses his power, pace and precision to effect raids, helping Bengal become one of the best teams in the league, as they top the table in Zone B.
