Bengaluru: UP Yoddha – the GMR group owned franchise of the PKL, continuing with their 100% record of making it to the play-offs since inception are all set to face 6th placed Puneri Paltan in the first Eliminator of PKL8 on 21st February, 2022.
UP Yoddha consolidated their play-off position displaying top quality kabaddi with both the defensive and attacking units coming into sync at the right moment. Their journey to the play-offs not only unearthed a new star in the form of Surender Gill,
but also saw them return to form of superstar Pardeep Narwal, while the famed defensive unit stood tall to their stature as one of the most envied defensive unit in the league.
With 68 points from 22 games the Yoddha earned their playoff spot sitting 3rd in the points table. The Eliminator 1 will be broadcasted LIVE on Star Sports Network and Hotstar 7:30 PM (IST) onwards.
Gill who statistically has been the best raider for UP Yoddha has got the much needed support from Pardeep Narwal the last few games that also saw the superstars return to form just at the right stage.
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The raiding duo of Narwal-Gill, who earned ‘8 Super 10’ each in the ongoing season is expected to steal the show from the upcoming clash whereas Captain Nitesh along with his defensive unit will aim to further their wall strength in enabling the Yoddha to be more attacking.
Ahead of the match, Jasveer Singh, Head Coach, UP Yoddha said, “We as a team have been very tough for our opponents in the last a few of matches and would like to carry the same confidence for the eliminator.
Now the knockout stage has begun and one mistake will eliminate us from the league. Boys will go strategically in the game and will leave no stone unturned for locking the qualifier seat. ”
The two sides have met twice in the ongoing season where each team edged out one another where Surender Gill scored a whopping 37 points which came from both the games. Statistically in PKL,
the two sides have met seven times with Yoddhas winning four times and losing thrice. The Yoddhas, will go into the match with a lot of confidence after a 35-28 victory against U Mumba.
Puneri Paltan will be going into this match after a 37-35 win against Jaipur Pink Panthers. The match is expected to be action packed and full of excitement as PKL fans will see the first knock-out clash of the eighth season.
