The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 is set to bring the heat to Chennai as the third leg of the tournament kicks off at the SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium on Monday, September 29, 2025. The opening clash of the Chennai leg — Match 53 — will see UP Yoddhas face off against the struggling Gujarat Giants at 8:00 PM IST.
With both teams eyeing momentum early in the leg, this contest promises intensity, pressure, and key individual battles that could define the course of their season.
Current Form & Position of Both Teams
After two thrilling legs, the PKL 2025 caravan rolls into Chennai — a city known for its passionate kabaddi fans. The leg opens with a critical match for both teams in contrasting situations: one looking to climb the table, the other desperate to break a losing streak.
UP Yoddhas – Building Momentum
UP Yoddhas come into this match with confidence after securing a tie-breaker win over Bengaluru Bulls, their second consecutive victory. With 4 wins in 8 games, the Yoddhas currently sit 7th on the points table and appear to be finding rhythm at the right time.
Led by the rock-solid Sumit Sangwan in defense, their recent performances have shown better team coordination and tactical maturity. A win in Chennai could firmly place them in the playoff conversation.
Gujarat Giants – Searching for Answers
For Gujarat Giants, it has been a season to forget so far. With just 1 win in 8 matches and a five-match losing streak, they are bottom of the table and struggling on both ends of the mat.
Their inconsistency and decision-making — including benching their star player and captain Mohammadreza Shadloui in the last game — have raised more questions than answers. However, if there’s a place to reset and start fresh, it’s a new leg.
UP Yoddhas vs Gujarat Giants Head-to-Head Record:
| Matches Played | UP Yoddhas Wins | Gujarat Giants Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
While the Giants have the better overall record, the Yoddhas have won the last two encounters, which gives them a mental edge coming into this clash.
Players to Watch Out For
UP Yoddhas – Sumit Sangwan
The Yoddhas’ captain and defensive lynchpin, Sumit Sangwan, has been in top form this season:
- 29 tackle points in 8 matches
- 4 High 5s
- Nearly 60% tackle success rate
- 3.63 average tackles per game (3rd best in PKL 12)
His leadership at the back will be crucial in keeping Gujarat’s raiders in check.
Gujarat Giants – Mohammadreza Shadloui
Despite a turbulent season, Shadloui remains Gujarat’s biggest hope. The all-rounder has contributed:
- 12 raid points
- 9 tackle points from 8 games
After being surprisingly left out of the starting 7 in the last match, Shadloui came in during the second half and scored 6 points as a raider, nearly turning the game around. His role against UP Yoddhas could be a game-changer — whether in defense, attack, or both.
Probable Starting 7
UP Yoddhas:
- Sumit Sangwan (C)
- Gagan Gowda
- Mahender Singh
- Shivam Chaudhary
- Ashu Singh
- Bhavani Rajput
- Hitesh
Gujarat Giants:
- Mohammadreza Shadloui
- Lucky Sharma
- Aryavardhan Navale
- Rakesh
- Nitin Panwar
- Shubham Kumar
- Rohit Nandal
UP Yoddhas vs Gujarat Giants Match Prediction
On paper and current form, UP Yoddhas are clear favorites. They are in form, have won their last two matches, and are showing a balanced approach in both attack and defense.
Gujarat Giants, meanwhile, are under immense pressure and have lost five games in a row. Unless they make a strong tactical shift and get more out of their senior players, it’s hard to see them turning things around in this fixture.
Prediction:
UP Yoddhas to win by a comfortable margin
Player of the Match Prediction: Sumit Sangwan or Shadloui (if used wisely)
Where to Watch – Live Streaming & Telecast
- Match: UP Yoddhas vs Gujarat Giants – Match 53, PKL 2025
- Date: Monday, September 29, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM IST
- Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar Website & App
- Live Scores & Updates: Pro Kabaddi official website or PKL mobile app
