Both these teams began the season with high hopes of a title challenge. Delhi, who lost the 2019 final to Bengal after topping the league table, have once again shown that they’re the side to beat, with Naveen Kumar, the league’s best raider, in their ranks. When UP play them in Match 40 of the Indian Kabaddi League at the Sheraton Grand Whitefield in Bengaluru on 8th January, they will do so knowing that their own hopes hang by a thread now. 

The big signing of Pardeep Narwal from Patna was supposed to take UP to the next level and end their run of poor play-off performances. As things currently stand, they may not even make the play-offs. Narwal has 44 raid points from six matches, less than half of Naveen’s tally, and hasn’t looked anything like the force of old. The defence, marshalled by Sumit and Ashu Singh, has kept them in the games where their raiders haven’t really threatened the opposition. 

Delhi aren’t without problems themselves. There’s an acute shortage of raiding points if Naveen is taken out of the equation, and the defenders have averaged less than 8 successful tackles a game. There is a wealth of experience in the ranks, and some of them will need to step up and support Naveen.  

UP have dominated this rivalry since they entered the league in 2017. But with Narwal and friends struggling to find a winning rhythm so far this season, the unstoppable Naveen and Delhi may secure a win that pretty much ensures their place in the play-offs. 

Match Details

• Game: UP vs. Delhi, Match 40
• Venue: Sheraton Grand Whitefield, Bengaluru
• Date & Time: Jan. 08, 2021, at 7:30 PM IST

Probable Playing 7

UP

Pardeep Narwal, Ashu Singh, Shubham Kumar, Rohit Tomar, Surender Gill, Nitesh Kumar (C), Sumit. 

Delhi

Naveen Kumar, Jeeva Kumar, Manjeet Chhillar, Vijay, Ashu Malik, Sandeep Narwal, Joginder Narwal (C)

Head-to-Head Record

Since they entered the league as an expansion team in 2017, the one team that UP have enjoyed the most success against is Delhi. 

Previous Season Results

Naveen Kumar’s 16 points gave Delhi a first win against UP in their opening contest of the 2019 season. But with Naveen missing from the return fixture, Monu Goyat (11 points) and friends ran riot as UP enjoyed a crushing 17-point win. However, it was Delhi who topped the table at the end of the season. 

• Match 59: Delhi 36 – 27 UP
• Match 122: UP 50 – 33 Delhi

Top Fantasy Picks

Defender

• Sumit has made 16 of the 48 successful tackles UP has pulled off in the six games played. No one from Delhi has averaged even 2 tackles a game.   

All-rounder

• Sandeep Narwal adds plenty of experience to Delhi’s line-up and has registered 9 successful tackles so far this season. Neither team possesses an all-rounder who has set the competition alight so far.

Raider

• Naveen Kumar already has 106 raid points, 16 points more than Pawan Sehrawat despite having played one match less. A 25-point display against Telugu came shortly after he helped crush Bengal, the defending champions, with 24 points. 

Howzat Dream Team

• Defenders: Sumit, Ashu Singh, Joginder Narwal 
• All-rounder: Sandeep Narwal
• Raiders: Naveen Kumar, Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill

• Captain: Naveen Kumar/Pardeep Narwal
• Vice Captain: Surender Gill/Sandeep Narwal

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own team from today’s fantasy kabaddi prediction and play all the upcoming matches of India Kabaddi League. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 7 is announced by each team as some players you have selected might not be part of the team suggested.

Know fantasy kabaddi rules and play on your favorite fantasy gaming app and select your own team, Howzat!