Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas Match Preview: Match 44 of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 promises to be an exciting affair as two talented sides—Haryana Steelers and Tamil Thalaivas—will square off in a high-stakes contest on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 9 PM IST. The venue for this clash will be the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur, which will set the stage for what could be a tactical thriller between two teams with contrasting seasons so far.
The Tamil Thalaivas, under the leadership of Arjun Deshwal, will face the defending champions, Haryana Steelers, who have found their rhythm after an early setback in the tournament. As both sides prepare for this crucial encounter, there are plenty of intriguing storylines and key battles to watch out for.
Current Form of Both Teams
Haryana Steelers: Rising to the Challenge
The Haryana Steelers have undergone a remarkable transformation since their shock defeat to the Bengal Warriorz in the season opener. After that early setback, the defending champions have bounced back strongly, winning four of their last five matches and climbing up to 3rd place in the league standings.
The Steelers’ resurgence has been impressive, with their young talents stepping up and making crucial contributions. Despite the absence of star raider Naveen Kumar due to injury, Haryana has managed to keep their momentum going. In particular, Vinay and Shivam Patare have been instrumental in the team’s victories, while the defensive unit has also begun to find its rhythm, as seen in their win over Puneri Paltan.
With their strong form and depth in both raiding and defending, the Haryana Steelers will look to extend their winning streak against the Tamil Thalaivas.
Tamil Thalaivas: Struggling with Inconsistency
On the other hand, the Tamil Thalaivas have had a mixed campaign so far in PKL 12. With three wins and three losses from their opening six matches, the Thalaivas have yet to find any consistency. They currently sit at 8th position in the standings, which is a far cry from the championship aspirations they had at the beginning of the season.
A major blow for Tamil Thalaivas has been the absence of star raider Pawan Sehrawat, who has been missed in key moments of matches. The Thalaivas have failed to build momentum and have struggled to perform as a cohesive unit, despite showing flashes of brilliance. In particular, Arjun Deshwal, the team’s captain and main raider, has had some underwhelming performances, including a lackluster outing in their recent clash against the Telugu Titans.
The Thalaivas will need to find a way to capitalize on their attacking potential, particularly through Deshwal, while also improving their defense to stand a chance against the resilient Haryana Steelers.
Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas Head-to-Head Record
Historically, the Haryana Steelers have had a strong psychological edge over the Tamil Thalaivas, winning the last six encounters between the two sides. The last time the Thalaivas managed to beat the Steelers was way back in PKL 8, and since then, it has been Haryana who have dominated this fixture.
Out of the 13 matches played between these two teams:
- Haryana Steelers: 8 wins
- Tamil Thalaivas: 2 wins
- Ties: 3
This head-to-head record suggests that the Steelers have had a clear advantage, particularly in nullifying the attacking threats of Arjun Deshwal. The Thalaivas will need to break this trend if they are to avoid another disappointing defeat against the defending champions.
Players to Watch Out For
Arjun Deshwal (Tamil Thalaivas)
As the captain and main raider of the Tamil Thalaivas, all eyes will be on Arjun Deshwal. After a modest performance in their last match, where he scored just 7 points, Deshwal will be eager to make a strong comeback and deliver a match-winning performance. The Haryana Steelers’ defense will have a major task at hand in stopping Deshwal, who has the ability to take the game away from any team with his lethal raids.
Shivam Patare (Haryana Steelers)
With Naveen Kumar sidelined, Shivam Patare has stepped up for the Haryana Steelers and has emerged as a key raider. Patare’s consistency has been one of the main reasons for Haryana’s resurgence. With an average of 8.9 raid points per match at an impressive 62% strike rate, Patare has proven to be a reliable performer. His ability to score crucial points will be vital for the Steelers as they aim to extend their winning streak.
Possible Starting 7 of Both Teams:
Haryana Steelers Starting 7
- Rahul Sethpal (Raider)
- Shivam Patare (Raider)
- Neeraj (Defender)
- Sahil Narwal (Raider)
- Jaideep Dahiya (Captain, Defender)
- Vinay (Defender)
- Hardeep (Defender)
Tamil Thalaivas Starting 7
- Aashish (Raider)
- Narender Kandola (Raider)
- Ronak (Defender)
- Suresh Jadhav (Defender)
- Himanshu (Raider)
- Arjun Deshwal (Captain, Raider)
- Nitesh Kumar (Defender)
Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas Match Prediction:
While the Tamil Thalaivas have some exciting individual talent, including Arjun Deshwal, the Haryana Steelers have looked more solid and balanced overall. Their defense, led by Jaideep Dahiya, has been strong, and with the attacking prowess of Shivam Patare, they have a slight edge in this encounter. Given the historical dominance Haryana has had over the Thalaivas, and the inconsistency that has plagued Tamil Thalaivas this season, it’s hard to look past a Haryana Steelers victory.
Prediction: Haryana Steelers to win.
When and Where to Watch Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas Clash?
You can catch all the live-action of the Haryana Steelers vs Tamil Thalaivas match on Star Sports. For those who prefer streaming online, the match will also be available on JioHotstar. For live scores, match updates, and more, visit the official Pro Kabaddi website or download the official Pro Kabaddi app.
Get ready for a thrilling encounter in PKL 12, as the Haryana Steelers look to continue their dominance over the Tamil Thalaivas in this crucial match.
