U.p. Yoddhas Vs Puneri Paltan 03 January 2024

Full-Time!
UP Yoddhas 31 - 40 Puneri Paltan

The scoreline is a just one concerning how dominant the Paltan were, but to be completely fair, for more than half of the contest, the Yoddhas always remained in the game, and for a majority of the 2nd half, the deficit didn't go beyond 5 or 6 points, and went down to as less as one. However, the UP Yoddhas were never able to equalize, and in fact, trailed for all 40 minutes of this match, and that says more about the Paltan than the hosts.

Pardeep Narwal had an off-day and was kept quiet by the Paltan defense, with Sanket Sawant and Mohammadreza Chiyaneh having his number throughout the match. He did, however, briefly come good towards the end of the first half to bring the Yoddhas back into the match. However, they stayed in the game purely through their defense, led by High 5s from Sumit and Nitesh Kumar. With their backs to the walls, the duo put in some stellar Super Tackles to ensure the Paltan never went out of sight.

However, in a crucial situation, with the deficit down to two, it was the Paltan who held their cool and executed their plans to perfection, and they were led by their captain Aslam Inamdar, who scored eight raid points and three tackle points to cap off another excellent outing. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh also had a very productive game, scoring another High 5, with the rest of the team also chipping in with handy points.

It's six consecutive wins for the Paltan who were everyone's pre-tournament favorites. Meanwhile, it's five losses in six games for the UP Yoddhas, who'll take some time to regroup before their next match, which is a week away.

Up next is the Mumbai leg of PKL 10 (starting on Friday), which is sure to be filled with some enthralling kabaddi action. Until then, this is Shreyas bidding you adieu. Good night!

2nd Half, 40'
UP Yoddhas 31 - 40 Puneri Paltan

The Yoddhas want to ensure they get something from this game and force a do-or-die raid for the Paltan, but their plan backfires as Akash Shinde puts in a stellar Super Raid. He's too quick for Nitesh Kumar's attempted ankle hold and gets over the onrushing left chain to get three points right at the end.

Pardeep Narwal pulls one back for the Yoddhas, but it's not enough for the Yoddhas they go down to a 31-40 defeat in the final game of their home leg!

2nd Half, 38'
UP Yoddhas 30 - 37 Puneri Paltan

The timeout doesn't seem to have worked as Sanket Sawant times his block-dash to perfection to send Pardeep back to the bench for the 7th time this match. Aslam then follows up in a 1v2 situation, anticipates the challenge from Sumit, and leaps over the defender to reduce the Yoddhas down to one.

UP then don't substitute Gurdeep out for a raider, and he has no chance and his tame raid is brought to a premature end by another ankle hold from Shadloui, who gets another High 5 to his name! The Paltan's lead is now up to 7 points, and the Yoddhas might have to start playing for a point here.

2nd Half, 37'
UP Yoddhas 30 - 32 Puneri Paltan

Both teams play it safe after the timeout, and another one is called, this time by the UP Yoddhas.

Pardeep Narwal should go in for a do-or-die raid immediately after the timeout, with the Paltan also having one immediately after. This passage of play should decide the fate of this game.

FYI, Pardeep Narwal is back on the mat and he's at his best in the closing stages of the match.

2nd Half, 35'
UP Yoddhas 30 - 32 Puneri Paltan

5th Super Tackle of the night for UP in a 1v2 situation, and somehow, the Yoddhas stay in the game. Sumit gets his High 5 now as he times his ankle hold on Mohit Goyat to perfection! Mohit has made some mistakes in his last couple of raids, and he needs to be smarter in future raids as we get into the last five minutes of the match.

The Paltan call a timeout, and with five minutes to play and the deficit down to two, this could go either way!

2nd Half, 34'
UP Yoddhas 28 - 32 Puneri Paltan

Aslam is leading from the front here! Puts in a pursuit, realizes it's a do-or-die raid, composes himself, and entices a challenge from Nitesh Kumar and escapes to the mid-line with ease. 

Abinesh Nadarajan then follows up with a herculean solo tackle to bring Anil Kumar down in a do-or-die raid. It was a needless advance challenge from the right cover who converts his block into a back hold of sorts, and single-handedly outpowers the hefty raider.

2nd Half, 32'
UP Yoddhas 28 - 30 Puneri Paltan

Mohit Goyat commits a blunder straight after the timeout, running straight into Nitesh Kumar, who makes no mistake with a double thigh hold, also getting his High 5! With the lead down to one, Aslam Inamdar comes in clutch with a tackle on Vijay Malik in a do-or-die raid. However, it was a very close shave, with the all-rounder getting really close to the mid-line before he's pulled back.

2nd Half, 30'
UP Yoddhas 27 - 29 Puneri Paltan

For all their dominance, the Paltan don't have as big a lead as they should have going into half-time! Akash Shinde is brought down by Nitesh Kumar and the rest of the Yoddhas' defense as they get their 4th Super Tackle of the night! Akash Shinde puts in a hefty kick on the right corner, but he absorbs the blow and holds on tight enough for the left side of the defense to pounce.

As a result, the Paltan's lead is down to only two points going into the last ten minutes of the match, and if the Yoddhas' raiders click, we could be in for a thrilling conclusion to this Noida leg.

2nd Half, 29'
UP Yoddhas 25 - 29 Puneri Paltan

Nitin Panwar and Kiran Magar combine to execute up a crucial Super Tackle on Mohit Goyat to keep the Yoddhas in the match. However, the Paltan is ensuring that the Yoddhas can't string more than a few points together, as Shadlou puts in another solid ankle hold ably supported by Abinesh Nadarajan in the right corner.

2nd Half, 27'
UP Yoddhas 22 - 28 Puneri Paltan

Sumit has been brilliant throughout this home leg, but he attempts a dash too close to the mid-line and gifts a point to Mohit Goyat. Pardeep then gets tackled for the 6th time, this time with a well-timed block from Sanket Sawant.

2nd Half, 24'
UP Yoddhas 21 - 26 Puneri Paltan

Aslam Inamdar loses his footing and slips into the lobby, gifting a point to the Paltan before Gurdeep pounces on Akash Shinde. However, with the deficit down to just two for the Yoddhas, the Paltan counter-attack effectively!

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh gets Pardeep once again, and the record-breaker goes down for the fifth time tonight. Aslam then puts in another multi-point raid, with a smart escape from the right side of the defense.

2nd Half, 22'
UP Yoddhas 19 - 23 Puneri Paltan

Sumit strikes first in the 2nd half with another well-timed challenge, this time on Mohit Goyat. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh then gets Pardeep Narwal! He closes down the angle for Pardeep's escape, goes in with a double thigh hold and converts it into a knee hold, and the support comes in at the right time.

Half-Time
UP Yoddhas 18 - 22 Puneri Paltan

The way the Paltan started this match, it looked like this would be another one-sided encounter, but some clutch defending from Sumit and Nitesh Kumar and a late Pardeep Narwal special has brought the Yoddhas right back into this match.

Pardeep was tackled in each of his first three raids, but he hasn't been tackled since, and he ratted off five points in three consecutive raids to help UP get their first all-out of the match. Vijay Malik's substitution was another factor for the Yoddhas' resurgence as it was his two-point raid after the time-out that got them going in the first half.

For the Paltan, Aslam Inamdar impressed as usual, both in the raiding and tackling department, and the same can be said about Mohit Goyat and Mohammadreza Chiyaneh. They will have to keep Pardeep quiet in this 2nd half and execute their plans for him to perfection.

We're set to have a stellar second half! Can the Yoddhas close their home leg out with a win, or will the Paltan continue their winning run?

1st Half, 20'
UP Yoddhas 18 - 22 Puneri Paltan

The Paltan close the half out with a couple of handy points, with Aslam Inamdar sending Gurdeep packing before Abinesh Nadarajan dashes Gagana Gowda off the court. A 4-point lead for the Paltan going into half-time, but the Yoddhas have been way more competitive than it looked like they would be at the start of the match. 

1st Half, 18'
UP Yoddhas 18 - 20 Puneri Paltan

Pardeep Narwal, you absolute beast! What a raid that is! The record-breaker is intent on getting the all-out as quickly as possible, but Abinesh Nadarajan times his challenge to perfection and with support from Akash Shinde, Pardeep was all but done.

However, he refused to give up, struggled, and outmuscled the two defenders, battling his way to the mid-line in the nick of time. The deficit is down to two, and the Yoddhas have made a terrific comeback.

1st Half, 17'
UP Yoddhas 14 - 19 Puneri Paltan

Pardeep Narwal has come alive in the matter of two raids, and suddenly, Pune are staring at an all-out! They're down to three and Pardeep corners Gaurav Khatri and draws a mistimed tackle from the right corner.

1st Half, 15'
UP Yoddhas 13 - 18 Puneri Paltan

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh is one of Iran's best raiders, and he shows why, with his second raid point of the night, getting a touch on Gurdeep. Mohit Goyat then extends the Paltan's lead with a quick burst of pace to get the running hand touch on Nitin Panwar.

Pardeep Narwal opens his account for the night! It's a do-or-die raid for the UP captain, and in a 1v5 situation, the odds were always against him. However, he races across court and gets a running hand touch on the interlocked hands of the left chain, getting both Mohit Goyat and Mohammadreza Chiyaneh.

1st Half, 13'
UP Yoddhas 11 - 16 Puneri Paltan

And he delivers! Vijay is thrown into a do-or-die raid situation, and a very advanced tackle from Sanket Sawant doesn't work out as Vijay picks up two points.

At the other end, the Paltan have a do-or-die raid, and the Yoddhas' defense do well to delay the tackle and make Pankaj Mohite wait, with Sumit once again delivering the killer below. All of a sudden, the Yoddhas are back in the game.

Vijay Malik comes on for the Yoddhas in place of Anil Kumar. The home side needs a quality showing from their star signing here.

1st Half, 10'
UP Yoddhas 8 - 15 Puneri Paltan

How good are the Paltan? Pankaj Mohite soaks up the pressure of the do-or-die raid, and uses his stride length to great effect, getting a toe touch on Gurdeep. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh follows up with an assured ankle hold on Gagana Gowda in the Yoddhas' do-or-die raid.

However, the Yoddhas have some momentum going their way heading into the timeout, with a well-executed Super Tackle on Mohit Goyat. The defenders show good movement across the mat, drawing Mohit deep on both sides, with the raider also slipping on one occasion. 

Sumit then closes it out with a quality double ankle hold, and a dominant first ten minutes from the Paltan sees them take a 7-point lead which could easily have been more.

It's been all defense from the Yoddhas so far. Can their raiders find their feet? Will Pardeep Narwal regain his mojo? 

1st Half, 8'
UP Yoddhas 5 - 13 Puneri Paltan

Aslam Inamdar gets a two-point raid immediately after the all-out, and this Paltan juggernaut seems unstoppable. The tackle comes in from Nitesh Kumar close to the mid-line, and Anil Kumar also gifts a point away to the Paltan captain. At the other end, Pardeep is tackled for the third time in three raids, this time by the left-in Mohit Goyat, but a self-out from Aslam gives a point to UP as well.

1st Half, 6'
UP Yoddhas 4 - 10 Puneri Paltan

Pardeep Narwal comes in, and Pardeep Narwal is tackled! It's an action replay of his first raid as he once again falls to an attempted ankle hold from the right-in, and this time it's Pankaj Mohite.

UP down to three, and this time Mohit Goyat makes no mistake. He corners the left defender, gets the touch, and is too quick for Nitesh Kumar, who comes in from the right. Nitin Panwar is then easily gobbled up by the Paltan defense, who get the first all-out of the match!

1st Half, 4'
UP Yoddhas 3 - 4 Puneri Paltan

The Yoddhas are down to three players on the mat, with Gagana Gowda blindsided by an onrushing Gaurav Khatri. However, Aslam Inamdar's pursuit doesn't work as Nitesh Kumar keeps his calm and dives in with precision, and the rest of the defense supports him well.

Most importantly, Pardeep Narwal is revived as a result.

Wait a second, the Paltan review here! They claim that Nitesh Kumar went into the lobby before getting a touch on Aslam. Review unsuccessful, that was a clean tackle, and that is a blunder from Puneri, who lose their review early!

1st Half, 2'
UP Yoddhas 0 - 3 Puneri Paltan

Aslam Inamdar gets his oppisite number right at the start! Pardeep didn't expect the ankle hold from the right-in, and the rest of the Pune defense pounces. He then follows up with a touch point to remove Sumit. The Paltan's stellar start continues, with Shadloui putting in an electric pursuit to send Anil Kumar back to the bench.

The Paltan have made a great start here.

Both teams are on the mat and we're all set to start.

Click the link below to find out about the top three individual player battles that could determine the fate of this contest.

Having some last-minute confusion on who to pick in your Dream11 teams? Fear not as we have you covered. Take a look at Sportskeeda's Dream11 prediction for this match.

Team News

Here are the starting lineups of both the sides:

UP Yoddhas: Pardeep Narwal (C), Ashu Singh, Sumit, Nitesh Kumar, Gurdeep, Anil Kumar, and Gagana Gowda.

Puneri Paltan: Aslam Inamdar (C), Mohit Goyat, Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, Gaurav Khatri, Abinesh Nadarajan, Pankaj Mohite, and Sanket Sawant.

The Yoddhas make one change to their starting lineup from the 41-48 defeat to the Patna Pirates, with raider Gagana Gowda replacing Vijay Malik, who drops to the bench. The Paltan remain unchanged from their last encounter.

Good evening and welcome to Sportskeeda's coverage of the tenth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. We're down to the final match of the Noida leg of PKL 10, and the hosts UP Yoddhas take on the table toppers Puneri Paltan in what should be a mercurial clash.

Things haven't gone well this season for the Yoddhas, who find themselves in 10th place on the points table and have only one win in their last five matches. Surender Gill's injury has left Pardeep Narwal without proper support in the raiding department, with the defense proving to be very inconsistent.

The Paltan, on the other hand, have easily been the best team of the tournament, and sit comfortably at the top of the table, with seven wins in eight matches, and are on a 5-match winning streak. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh in that left corner has been in terrific form and so has the rest of the defense. As always, the Paltan's raiding spoils are split between Mohit Goyat, Aslam Inamdar, and Pankaj Mohite, and they'll look to cause the Yoddhas' defense many problems.

A lot is riding on this match, and with plenty of superstars in action, this should be a riveting contest.