The Haryana Steelers know that their Pro Kabaddi campaign hopes are hanging by a thread. They cannot afford to drift too much further away from the top-4 otherwise they will have no chance of making it to the playoffs this year.
The fact that they are going to play Dabang Delhi K.C. in this crucial encounter should give them some hope seeing as they have never lost a game to them. Haryana Steelers also recorded a win against the Patna Pirates that should fill them with confidence.
Crucial to Haryana Steelers chances are going to be the raiding trio of Monu Goyat, Vikash Khandola, and Naveen. The three of the managed to score 19 raid points against Dabang Delhi K.C. in the last match and would be hoping to put in a similar performance.
Vikash Khandola currently has 79 points in this year’s PKL and is the highest scorer for the Haryana Steelers. The 20-year-old has quickly become one of the most trusted leaders of this side and will be key to the success of the Haryana Steelers in the remainder of their campaign.
Dabang Delhi K.C. seems to have fallen in a rut after a good start to the campaign. Delhi managed to defeat the formidable Bengal Warriors and raised hopes that it was on track to have its best season in the PKL yet.
Unfortunately for them, things have not quite panned out like that so far.
Dabang Delhi K.C. will be banking on its most experienced players to turn things around. Ravindar Pahal and Joginder Singh Narwal will be the most important cogs of the defense that tries to stop the young trio of raiders from Haryana.
As far as scoring points go, Chandran Ranjit is the undisputed leader of the Dabang Delhi K.C. side. He scored 11 points in the last match that Delhi lost against the Gujarat Fortunegiants and showed that with a little support, he could lead Delhi to victory against any other team in this competition.
He is going to be supported by Naveen Kumar, another youngster that has risen in the ranks to the sheer weight of his performances.
The Haryana Steelers and Dabang Delhi K.C. have met each other 4 times in the past with the Steelers winning all four times. This weight of a historical advantage on the other side can be a significant advantage, especially in close situations. Delhi is going to have to overcome any mental block its players might have going into this contest.
Both these teams are flawed and not the best in the competition. They have put in some good performances and some truly terrible ones. Current form for both teams is patchy so we are going to look at the depth in the squads and that is where the Steelers win out.
Back the Haryana Steelers to win.