Gujarat Fortunegiants meet Patna Pirates for the first time since Season 5 finale

The third and final Inter-Zone Challenge Week kicks off with a mouth-watering fixture as reigning champions Patna Pirates take on Season 5 runners-up Gujarat Fortunegiants at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in Delhi on Tuesday.

The two teams, both second in their respective zones, will clash for the first time since that final which saw Patna Pirates complete a hattrick of VIVO Pro Kabaddi titles with a 55-38 victory. Captain and MVP of that season Pardeep Narwal starred on the night with a 19-point performance, capping off a magnificent campaign where he set the record for most raid points scored in a season.

Match 94 (Inter-Zone Challenge Week): Patna Pirates vs. Gujarat Fortunegiants

Head-to-head: Gujarat Fortunegiants 2-1 Patna Pirates.

Form Guide:

Stats from the last five matches –

Average Points Scored – 40

Average Points Conceded – 32.4

Best Raider- Pardeep Narwal

Best Defender – Jaideep

Stats from the last five matches –

Average Points Scored – 33.2

Average Points Conceded – 30.2

Best Raider - Sachin

Best Defender – Parvesh Bhainswal

The big battle –

Pardeep Narwal vs. Parvesh Bhainswal

Two-time and reigning MVP Pardeep Narwal has been at his unbelievable best in Season 6 and currently ranks third in the Best Raiders’ list with 157 raid points. His average of 11.21, however, is second in the league and, given how he heats up in the final phase of the season, it is safe to assume that Narwal will most likely be up there among the favourites to land another Best Raider title. He leads the league in Super 10s with 11 and a 12^th against Gujarat Fortunegiants would be essential if his side are to win on Tuesday and close the gap on Bengaluru Bulls.

Parvesh Bhainswal’s stock continues to rise, just like his place in the list of Best Defenders in Season 6, as he is now up to 3^rd place. His strike rate of 65.88 is the best among any defender with over 50 tackle points, showcasing just how decisive Bhainswal is when attempting a tackle and how well-timed his attempts are. Bhainswal and captain Sunil Kumar have combined to score 107 tackle points, a tally better than any Cover or Corner duo in the league. Considering how potent Pardeep Narwal and Patna Pirates’ offence is, Bhainswal and Gujarat Fortunegiants’ defence will be expecting to have their work cut out.

Key Khiladi –

Jaideep – Patna Pirates

Jaideep has enjoyed a stellar campaign with Patna Pirates and currently ranks 7^th in the race for Best Defender having played a game or two fewer than many defenders who are currently ranked better than him. Jaideep’s average tackle points have shot up to 3.2 from the 2.73 that he managed in his rookie campaign as he continues to improve and impress in the Left Corner position.

Sachin – Gujarat Fortunegiants

Another player who has been brilliant in his second campaign is Gujarat Fortunegiants’ raider Sachin, who currently ranks among the top 10 raiders in VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6. The teenager has already amassed over a 100 raid points and has shown maturity beyond his years in leading his team’s offence. Apart from the 118 raid points, Sachin has also managed 12 tackle points, two of which were Super Tackles, proving that he is no slouch in backing his team’s defence as well.