UP VS. PUNERI: INDIAN KABADDI LEAGUE 2021-22, MATCH 79 | PREDICTION, PLAYING 7 AND FANTASY KABADDI TIPS
UP are 1 of 5 teams separated by only 4 points at the top of the table, behind Bengaluru in 1st place. After a dismal start to their campaign, UP won 4 games and drew 1 to storm up the table. Puneri, who trail them by 7 points, have actually won more matches, including 3 of their last 5. When they meet in Match 79 of the Indian Kabaddi League at the Sheraton Grand Whitefield in Bengaluru on 27th January, UP will know that a victory will put them right back in contention for a place in the top 2. Pune’s ambitions are more modest and they can’t afford too many more slips if they’re to sneak into the top 6.
Only Bengaluru average more raid points a game than UP, and Pardeep Narwal has enjoyed something of a revival in recent games, even if it’s Surender Gill that tops the scoring charts. The defending too has been solid led by Nitesh Kumar.
Puneri have made 2 more successful tackles than UP, but what’s really hurt them is the lack of raid points. With 18.38 raid points on average, they’re right at the bottom of the table. They will hope however that the upturn in the fortunes of Nitin Tomar and Mohit Goyat will help improve that figure.
Pune actually had the better of this rivalry in the seasons right after UP joined the league in 2017. But UP have won the last 3 games, including a dominant 50-40 triumph earlier this season.
Match Details
- Game: UP vs. Puneri, Match 79
- Venue: Sheraton Grand Whitefield, Bengaluru
- Date & Time: Jan. 27, 2022, at 7:30PM IST
Probable Playing 7
UP
Pardeep Narwal, Ashu Singh, Shubham Kumar, Shrikant Jadhav, Surender Gill, Nitesh Kumar (C), Sumit
Puneri
Mohit Goyat, Abinesh Nadarajan, Sanket Sawant, Aslam Inamdar, Nitin Tomar (C), Sombir, Karamvir
Head-to-head Record
Since they entered the league in 2017, only against Delhi and Telugu do UP have a better win percentage than they do against Puneri.
| Matches | UP Won | Puneri Won | Draws |
| 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Previous Season Results
Manjeet scored 16 points for Puneri in their first meeting of the 2019 season, but it still wasn’t enough as Shrikant Jadhav’s 15 led UP to victory. In the return, Manjeet and Nitin Tomar top-scored with 8 points each, but UP’s all-round solidity was again the difference, with 15 tackle points scored.
- Match 61: UP 35 – 30 Puneri
- Match 125: UP 43 – 39 Puneri
This season
It’s not often that two raiders score 13 points or more and the team gets 40 points, only to still be thrashed. That happened to Puneri, with Surender Gill’s 21-point super show and Pardeep Narwal’s 10 points comfortably seeing off the best efforts of Aslam Inamdar (16) and Mohit Goyat (13).
- Match 60: Puneri 40 – 50 UP
Top Fantasy Picks
Defender
- Nitesh Kumar leadership and defending is one of the main factors behind UP surge in the mid-season. He has 31 successful tackles for the season at a strike-rate of 52. Four of those came in the win over Puneri earlier this season.
All-rounder
- Aslam Inamdar was the bright spark in Puneri’s miserable start to the season. He also has 13 tackle points to go with his 88 while raiding. Despite not being at his best over the past week, he has still managed 18 points in 3 matches.
Raider
- Surender Gill has been UP’s best raider with 103 raid points, including 21 points against Puneri earlier in the season. When he didn’t play against Haryana, UP’s winning streak ended.
Howzat Dream Team
- Defenders: Nitesh Kumar, Sombir, Sumit
- All-rounder: Aslam Inamdar
- Raiders: Surender Gill, Pardeep Narwal, Mohit Goyat
- Captain: Surender Gill/Mohit Goyat
- Vice Captain: Pardeep Narwal/Aslam Inamdar
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 Indian 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!
