With three wins in its last five matches, Dabag Delhi K.C. has found a new spring in its step. The loss against U Mumba was something it would be disappointed about but not anything that the side cannot recover from.
The reason behind this resurgence can be attributed to the form of Naveen Kumar in the raiding department and some experienced defenders. Naveen Kumar suffered a head injury which kept him out of action for some time but he now seems to be back at his best.
Naveen Kumar has 93 points in 12 games so far and is one of the best raiders in the tournament. There is no question that he will be the biggest driving force for Dabang Delhi K.C. in this match. Delhi’s defense was found lacking against U Mumba but that is something a lot of teams have also faced.
Ravinder Pahal was one of the defenders that were strangely out of form in the last match. He kept getting picked off by the raiders even when their intentions were very straightforward.
Pahal has been the best defender for Dabang Delhi K.C. in the last five matches and this entire season but Joginder Singh may have an equally important role in this match. Chandran Ranjit is the other raider from the Delhi camp that has been very impressive and will need to be at his best against the Haryana Steelers as well.
The Haryana Steelers have not been as good recently as Dabang Delhi K.C. The side pulled off an amazing upset win against U Mumba but that was its only win in the last five matches. One tie and three losses have put pressure on the Haryana Steelers during a crucial part of their PKL campaign.
We have a feeling that the Haryana Steelers will need Monu Goyat and Vikash Khandola in prime form if they are to have a chance against a confident Delhi side. Both Khandola and Goyat are excellent raiders that can make life difficult for Delhi.
Khandola has been elevated from his position as the secondary raider in the side and is the one leading the attack right now. He has 116 points in the tournament right now and is fifth in the race to be the best raider.
Monu Goyat would be disappointed at having just 81 points to his name in the PKL this season but there is still time for him to make a mark. He is the one player that we believe can lead the Haryana Steelers to an unlikely place in the Super Playoffs.
The Haryana Steeler have been dominant against Dabang Delhi K.C. in the past. In five matches played between the two sides, the Steelers have won 4 and lost 1. Interestingly, the only loss that the Haryana Steelers faced was earlier in this season.
History favors the Haryana Steelers but their recent form is not very good. Dabang Delhi K.C. has a potential place in the Super Playoffs within grasp and that will be a huge motivating factor.
Back Dabang Delhi K.C. to win.