After a disappointing loss in their home opener against U Mumba on Friday, Dabang Delhi K.C. will enter Saturday’s match against Puneri Paltan at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex with renewed determination. The first match of the evening, however, will pitch Bengaluru Bulls against a solid Bengal Warriors side. Here’s the lowdown on these two matches.

Match 90 (Zone B): Bengaluru Bulls vs Bengal Warriors

Head-to-head: Bengaluru Bulls 7-3 Bengal Warriors

Zone B’s fourth-placed team, Bengaluru Bulls enter the match reeling from a loss at the hands of Patna Pirates in their previous game. Captain Rohit Kumar’s form has been the shining beacon for the team but he has lacked support in raiding as well as defence. Ajay and Ashish Kumar both have been highly inconsistent, while Ravinder Pahal has also failed to hold the defence steady. With a formidable raiding unit in front of them, the Bulls need to get their defensive act together to stay in the play-off hunt.

Bengal Warriors, meanwhile, are just 7 points behind Zone B toppers Patna Pirates and a win today shall see them narrowing the gap at the top. Having remained unbeaten in their last three matches, the team has shown time and again that no opposition can relax against them till the final whistle. Maninder Singh has been on fire alongside Jang Kun Lee, and with Deepak Narwal’s return from injury, the attacking unit can be termed one of the best in the league. Captain Surjeet Singh has also wonderfully controlled the defence with Ran Singh, and the Warriors definitely go into the match as favourites.

Match 91 (Zone A): Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Puneri Paltan

Head-to-head: Dabang Delhi K.C. 3-5 Puneri Paltan. 1 tie

Dabang Delhi K.C. need to quickly pick up their drooping shoulders after yesterday’s narrow loss to U Mumba as they face a mighty Paltan side today. They have been unable to secure a win in their last four outings and currently sit at the bottom of Zone A with 29 points. Nilesh Shinde’s absence has dented the team’s defence and the fans will hope that he makes an appearance against the Paltan. The Iranian duo of Meraj Sheykh and Abolfazl Maghsodlou has led the attack firmly but the defence needs to put their act together to overcome the Pune hurdle.

Puneri Paltan, on the other hand, have won four of their last five encounters and a win against Delhi will see them displacing U Mumba from third in Zone A. Sandeep Narwal has been a rock for the team holding the defence together at all times and also going for the kill during important raids. Captain Deepak Hooda has been fantastic in attack and has been aided ably by do-or-die raid specialist Rajesh Mondal. Like the Warriors, Pune enter tonight’s fixture as the favourites.

Catch the action live from Delhi on the Star Sports network and hotstar from 7.30 pm onwards.

Related tags:

News0English