The Bengal Warriors are set to kick off their Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024-25 campaign with a highly anticipated clash against the Jaipur Pink Panthers. The Warriors, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season by finishing seventh, will look to redeem themselves this year. They won 9 of their 22 matches, collecting 55 points, and aim to start strong this weekend. The Jaipur Pink Panthers, on the other hand, had an impressive run in the previous season, finishing second with 92 points. Both teams are eyeing a positive start to the season, making this opening encounter an exciting matchup.

Bengal Warriors Seeking Redemption

Aiming for a Strong Start After Narrow Playoff Miss
The Bengal Warriors fell short of making the playoffs in PKL Season 10, finishing in seventh place with 55 points from 9 wins, 11 losses, and 2 ties. This year, the team is focused on a better outcome, aiming to put their underwhelming past performance behind them as they face the Jaipur Pink Panthers in their season opener.

Jaipur Pink Panthers Eyeing Another Dominant Season

Second-Place Finish Last Season Fuels Title Ambitions
The Jaipur Pink Panthers had a stellar run last year, finishing second in the league table with 92 points, courtesy of 16 wins, 3 losses, and 3 ties. Although they fell short in the playoffs, losing to the Haryana Steelers in the semi-finals, the Panthers are determined to start their journey toward a third title with a win against the Bengal Warriors.

Head-to-Head Record: Bengal Warriors vs Jaipur Pink Panthers

Battling History Favors Bengal Slightly
Over the course of Pro Kabaddi League history, the Bengal Warriors and Jaipur Pink Panthers have faced each other 18 times. The Warriors hold a slight edge with 10 victories, while the Panthers have won 7 matches, and one game ended in a tie. However, the most recent encounter went in favor of the Jaipur Pink Panthers, who secured a commanding 42-25 win in PKL Season 10.

Bengal Warriors’ Squad Overview

Key Players and New Faces
The Bengal Warriors are fielding a balanced squad this season with experienced players like Maninder Singh and Fazel Atrachali leading the charge. Emerging talents such as Maharudra Garje and Dipak Arjun Shinde will also play crucial roles as they seek to enhance their team’s performance. The complete roster includes: Nitin Kumar, Vishwas S, Yash Malik, Manjeet, Deep Kumar, Sushil Kambrekar, Shreyas Umbardand, Aditya S. Shinde, Dipak Arjun Shinde, Maharudra Garje, Maninder Singh, Vaibhav Bhausaheb Garje, Sagar Kumar, Nitesh Kumar, Mayur Jagannath Kadam, Pranay Vinay Rane, Praveen Thakur, Akash B Chavhan, Arjun Rathi, Hem Raj, Sambhaji Wabale, Chai-Ming Chang (F), and Fazel Atrachali (F).

Jaipur Pink Panthers’ Squad Analysis

A Blend of Veterans and International Talent
The Jaipur Pink Panthers come into this season with a formidable roster, headlined by star raider Arjun Deshwal and Iranian defender Reza Mirbagheri. Other key players include Vikash Kandola, Sombir, and Neeraj Narwal, along with international stars Amir Hossein Mohammadmaleki and Aamir Wani. The full squad features: Arjun Deshwal, Reza Mirbagheri (F), Nitin Kumar, Sombir, Ritik Sharma, Ronak Singh, Abhijeet Malik, Abhishek KS, Ankush, Surjeet Singh, Lucky Sharma, Arpit Saroha, Ravi Kumar, Neeraj Narwal, Vikash Kandola, Shrikant Jadhav, Navneet, K. Dharanidharan, Mayank Malik, Aamir Wani, and Amir Hossein Mohammadmaleki (F).

Match Timing and Broadcast Details

When and Where to Watch
The highly anticipated match between Bengal Warriors and Jaipur Pink Panthers will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. The match will begin at 8:00 PM IST and will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also catch live streaming on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.

What Can We Expect in the Future?

1. Tactical Masterclass from Defenders
With star defenders like Fazel Atrachali for the Warriors and Reza Mirbagheri for the Panthers, expect a thrilling showdown of defensive strategies. Both players will aim to lock down the opposition raiders and turn defense into attack.

2. Raiding Duels to Steal the Show
Arjun Deshwal from the Panthers and Maninder Singh from the Warriors are two of the best raiders in the league. Fans can expect a high-octane contest between these two, with each looking to outscore the other and lead their team to victory.

3. New Talent Making an Impact
Both squads feature emerging players hungry to prove themselves on the big stage. Keep an eye on rookies like Dipak Arjun Shinde for Bengal and Mayank Malik for Jaipur, who could be breakout stars this season.