HAR vs UP Match Prediction
Haryana Steelers are all set to face UP Yoddhas in the 112th match of the Pro Kabaddi League 2023 at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Friday, February 9.
Haryana Steelers have been consistent this season so far, losing just once in their previous three games. They 34-30 victory over the Gujarat Giants in their previous outing.
Haryana will be looking to complete a hat-trick of wins as they are currently placed sixth in the points table with 55 points, having won 10 of their 17 games.
UP Yoddhas, on the other hand, have failed to impress their fans this season as they have already been knocked out of the tournament.
Following a 32-25 defeat against the Tamil Thalaivas, the Pardeep Narwal-led side are currently languishing at the bottom half of the points table with just 29 points, having won four of their 18 games so far this season.
Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas Match Details
Match: Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas, 112th Match PKL 2023
Date: February 9, 2024, 9:00 pm IST
Venue:Â Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata
Key Player Battles:
Raider Showdown: The clash will witness a fierce raider showdown as Haryana’s Vikash Kandola goes up against UP’s Shrikant Jadhav. Both raiders possess exceptional skills and the ability to turn the tide in favor of their respective teams. The battle between these two prolific raiders will be a highlight of the match.
Defensive Prowess: In the defensive department, the face-off between Haryana’s Dharmaraj Cheralathan and UP’s Nitesh Kumar adds another layer of intrigue. The ability to thwart opponent raids and provide a solid defensive foundation will be crucial for both teams.
Among the PKL teams, one squad that can still play as a cohesive unit without having a superstar is the Haryana Steelers. Vinay, the primary attacker, has had excellent help from Siddharth Desai and Shivam Patare, who have also recovered their form. Having Chandran Ranjith and K. Prapanjan on the bench also gives them a strong offensive weapon.
With Jaideep Dahiya leading from the front, the defense is solid too, with Rahul Sethpal, Mohit Khaler, and Mohit Nandal providing good assistance. In addition to a potentially solid bench, the Steelers seem to have discovered a cohesive starting seven. They need to start playing together now to guarantee a playoff berth.
After a poor season, UP Yoddhas are barely ahead of the Telugu Titans in the points rankings, currently occupying 11th place. They were able to end their eight-match losing streak with the victory over U Mumba. Although they are no longer in the running for the playoffs, they can still hurt other teams’ hopes, and on Friday they will aim to halt the Steelers.
Their two most vital players, Nitesh Kumar on defense and Surinder Gill in the raiding department, have not played at their usual level. Coach Jasveer Singh has benched them since they don’t seem like themselves. If they pull together, they can go for a victory with the usual suspect, Sumit.
Current Form and Momentum:
Assessing the teams’ current form and momentum is essential in predicting the outcome. Factors such as recent performances, player injuries, and overall team cohesion play a significant role. The team entering the match with a positive momentum is likely to have a psychological advantage.
Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas Form Guide in PKL 2023
Haryana Steelers (HAR): W W L W L
UP Yoddhas (UP):Â L W L L L
Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas Player Squads
Haryana Steelers (HAR):Â Siddharth Desai, Chandran Ranjit, K Prapanjan, Vinay, Ghanshyam Magar, Vishal Tate, Shivam Patare, Jayasoorya NS, Hasan Balbool, Rahul Sethpal, Jaideep Dahiya, Hardeep, Himanshu Chaudhary, Ravindra Chauhan, Monu Hooda, Naveen Kundu, Mohit Nandal, Harsh, Sunny Sehrawat, Ashish, Mohit.
UP Yoddhas (UP): Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Mahipal, Anil Kumar, Shivam Chaudhary, Gagana Gowda, Ashu Singh, Nitesh Kumar, Sumit, Harendra Kumar, Hitesh, Kiran Magar, Vijay Malik, Gurdeep, Nitin Panwar, Helvic Wanjala, Samuel Wafula, Gulveer Singh.
Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas Expected Playing 7
Haryana Steelers (HAR): Jaideep Dahiya (c), Siddharth Desai, Rahul Sethpal, Vinay, Mohit Nandal, Mohit Khaler and Shivam Patare.
UP Yoddhas (UP):Â Pardeep Narwal (c), Gagana Gowda, Harendra Kumar, Ashu Singh, Sumit, Mahipal and Hitesh.
Head to Head
Raiders: P Narwal (C), S Gill, Vinay (VC)
All-rounders: V Mailk, M Nandal
Defenders:Â N Kumar, M KhalerÂ
Match Prediction
Haryana Steelers will start the game as clear favorites considering their recent form. The defensive unit of the team is among the best in the tournament, and they are expected to pose a major threat in front of the inexperienced raiding department of the UP Yoddhas.
UP Yoddhas skipper Pardeep Narwal did not take part in their previous game against the Tamil Thalaivas, as Mahipal and Anil Kumar were included in the starting seven of the team. However, both raiders failed to make an impact in the game.
Prediction: Haryana Steelers to win the match.