The UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan match-up in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 promises high intensity and close contests.
UP Yoddhas are captained by Sumit Sangwan and Ashu Singh, helping continue their defensive legacy. They are also not neglecting the addition of better raiders who can score when the pressure is high.
While with Puneri Paltan, the responsibility is on Aslam Inamdar’s versatility, supported by international raiders who bring new angles to the game.
With both teams aiming to establish early momentum, every clash carries significance for playoff hopes and team morale this season.
Let’s try to guess who is better, UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan.
Season 12 Overview – UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan
UP Yoddhas have entered season 12 with the same consistency and power as before, with even more angles this time around to play with. Captain Sumit Sangwan and vice-captain Ashu Singh are adding a lot to their defence.
Coach Jasveer Singh of UP Yoddhas is looking towards the same discipline that led the team to the 3rd position last season.
Retaining most of their core meant the squad didn’t have to start from scratch, but the management still made smart moves at the auction, ensuring they have raiding depth alongside experienced corners.
The Yoddhas have often looked like a side that reaches late in the season with momentum, and once again, their balance across departments makes them a genuine playoff threat.
Puneri Paltan has unfinished business, though. They won the trophy in Season 10, but had a weaker Season 11.
Aslam Inamdar’s leadership returns at the center of their plans, supported by Ajay Thakur’s coaching and a raiding unit that can strike in waves.
Defence, led by Vishal Bhardwaj and Abinesh Nadarajan, looks compact on paper. Pune is not rebuilding, but they are regrouping with intent, hoping to show that one difficult season does not define a champion.
UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan – Head-to-Head Comparison
UP Yoddhas and Puneri Paltan have played 14 matches till now. That seems like a small number, but both the teams have shown up enough that neither has gone enough in terms of wins and losses.
They almost equal each other out at 7 wins for UP and 6 for Pune, and 1 tie.
| Stat | UP Yoddhas | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 14 | 14 |
| Wins | 7 | 6 |
| Losses | 6 | 7 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Score | 50 | 44 |
| Lowest Score | 29 | 23 |
Although both the teams show balance, the seasons in which either of them shows dominance keep changing. In season 8’s eliminator round, UP beat Pune with a 42-31 score, but similarly, Pune beat UP in season 10 with a 40-31 win.
Clearly, with changing seasons come changing tides. Average margins are usually tight, often within 5-6 points, highlighting how small errors swing outcomes.
UP tend to score bigger, evidenced by their 59-point outburst against Gujarat last year, while Pune lean on compact defensive wins. Fans expecting blowouts won’t find them here; these matches almost always go late.
Here is UP Yoddhas’ performance against Haryana Stealers, analyzed.
The Full Story Between UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan
Whenever we have seen a match of UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan, never has it been a boring one. Both are one of the top teams of the league, and they prove it against each other continuously.
In their 14 matches together. UP is ahead by 1 point, winning 7 matches. They also had one draw. While UP has the biggest score of 50 and Pune has 44, both prove that their firepower is more than average.
The narrowest finishes further highlight the chess-match quality of their contests. Season 11 set the tone early with a 29-29 deadlock in November that showcased defensive discipline and the art of timing raids to neutralise big moves.
Then in December, UP also chipped in with a tight 36-33 win, where strategic raiding and last-minute composure proved decisive. That draw followed by a slender Yoddhas win sums up the narrative perfectly.
When UP Yoddhas are steady, they find the rhythm to outpace Pune. But Pune’s ability to strike back in Season 10 with a 40-38 win shows they are never out of the game. Their rivalry is defined by high-octane raids, resilient defense, and clutch moments of brilliance.
If any match proved one side superior, it was the tied thriller, followed by UP breaking the deadlock in Season 11, those games defined the delicate balance between two fiercely competitive teams.
How the Current Teams UP Yoddha and Puneri Paltan Teams Are Shaping Up for Season 12
UP Yoddhas keep defensive continuity under new captain Sumit Sangwan while adding high-value raiding firepower. Puneri Paltan arrive under Ajay Thakur with reinforced attack depth and international raiders.
That contrast between a defence-led machine and an attack-heavy side will shape tempo and crunch-time decisions.
| Team | UP Yoddhas | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Sumit Sangwan | Aslam Inamdar |
| Coach | Jasveer Singh | Ajay Thakur |
| Key Raiders | Surender Gill, Guman Singh, Bhavani Rajput | Mohit Goyat, Sachin Tanwar, Mohammad Nabibakhsh |
| Key Defenders | Sumit Sangwan, Ashu Singh, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi | Abinesh Nadarajan, Gaurav Khatri, Vishal Bhardwaj |
| All-Rounders | Vijay Malik, Nitin Panwar | Aslam Inamdar, Mohammad Nabibakhsh |
UP Yoddhas look like a system-first team. The management kept coach Jasveer Singh and elevated Sumit Sangwan to captaincy to cement a defence-led identity while adding a premium raider in the auction.
That signing shows intent to marry corner strength with reliable raid finishers rather than gamble on one superstar. Puneri Paltan have gone in the opposite direction.
Promoting Ajay Thakur to head coach gave them a championship voice, and they stocked raiding depth with established names and overseas options.
Their attack can win games in bursts, but their cover and corner rotations are thinner on paper, so form and fitness will decide whether their raid depth converts into consistent match wins. Matchup reads as simple theatre with complex stakes.
If UP slows Pune down through disciplined corner tackles and controlled super tackles, Yoddhas will force Pune to overreach and make errors.
If Pune gets Nabibakhsh and Mohit firing early, UP must rely on Sumit and Ashu to turn tackles into momentum swings.
Right now, UP feels more balanced for long tournaments, while Pune is built to explode in individual games.
Keep up with the full points table of PKL Season 12 here.
UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan: Full Squads 2025
UP Yoddhas keep defensive continuity with Sumit Sangwan and Ashu Singh anchoring the backline while adding varied raiding options from domestic and overseas markets.
Puneri Paltan lean on Aslam Inamdar and international raiders to deliver quick scoring jumps. Strength versus adaptability will define who controls the tempo this season.
| Position | UP Yoddhas | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Sumit Sangwan (Defender) | Aslam Inamdar (All-Rounder) |
| Vice-Captain | Ashu Singh (Defender) | Mohit Goyat (Raider) |
| Raider 1 | Surender Gill | Mohit Goyat |
| Raider 2 | Guman Singh | Sachin Tanwar |
| Raider 3 | Bhavani Rajput | Pankaj Mohite |
| Raider 4 | Anil Kumar | Mohammad Nabibakhsh |
| Raider 5 | Gulveer Singh | Akash Shinde |
| Raider 6 | Rathan K | Aditya Shinde |
| Raider 7 | Mahipal | Yogesh Dahiya |
| Defender 1 | Sumit Sangwan | Abinesh Nadarajan |
| Defender 2 | Ashu Singh | Gaurav Khatri |
| Defender 3 | Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi | Vishal Bhardwaj |
| Defender 4 | Nitesh Kumar | Sanket Sawant |
| Defender 5 | Ankit | Tushar Adhav |
| Defender 6 | Gurdeep | Harsh Ladkat |
| Defender 7 | Hitesh | Govind Gurjar |
| Defender 8 | Monu Goyat | Aditya Tandel |
| All-Rounder 1 | Vijay Malik | Aslam Inamdar |
| All-Rounder 2 | Nitin Panwar | Mohammad Nabibakhsh |
| All-Rounder 3 | Anil Kumar | Akash Shinde |
UP’s squad looks defender-heavy with Sumit, Ashu, and Kaboudrahangi all proven stoppers, but they lack true all-rounders, which limits flexibility late in games.
Puneri Paltan team enjoys balance with Aslam Inamdar leading raids while also switching into cover, and Nabibakhsh bringing international flair. This combination gives them more adaptability across different match situations.
Who Has A Stronger Past Record? UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan
UP Yoddhas have been consistent performers since their debut, maintaining playoff streaks and defensive grit. Puneri Paltan.
On the other hand, boasts a stronger all-time record but had a modest Season 11, reflecting a team in transition despite recent championship pedigree.
| Metric | UP Yoddhas All-Time | Puneri Paltan All-Time | UP Yoddhas Season 11 | Puneri Paltan Season 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 167 | 225 | 24 | 22 |
| Wins | 74 | 108 | 14 | 9 |
| Draws | 19 | 20 | 3 | 3 |
| Losses | 74 | 97 | 7 | 10 |
| Highest Score | 59 | 60 | 59 | 56 |
| Biggest Winning Margin | 36 | 38 | 36 | 38 |
| Total Raids | 7165 | 9518 | 1020 | 923 |
| Successful Raids | 2587 | 3312 | 384 | 339 |
| Raid Success % | 36% | 35% | 38% | 37% |
| Total Tackles | 4014 | 5479 | 579 | 537 |
| Successful Tackles | 1550 | 2268 | 240 | 233 |
| Tackle Success % | 39% | 41% | 41% | 43% |
| All Out Points | 426 | 588 | 66 | 64 |
In all-time terms, UP Yoddhas hover around parity, their 72 wins closely matched by 73 defeats across 164 matches.
Their Season 11 raid rate of 38 percent sits slightly above their career 36 percent average, and a tackle efficiency of 41 percent underscores defensive resilience.
Puneri Paltan’s Season 11 shows a mid-table performance with 9 wins, 10 losses, and 3 draws. Their 37 percent raid success and 43 percent tackle rate suggest a defence that was relatively sharper than their attack units.
Overall, UP Yoddhas look like a steady system with balanced raiding and tackling trends, slowly improving. Puneri Paltan seem to be reloading after their championship run.
Their defensive productivity remains solid, but their attack needs to regain consistency if they want to contest for the title again.
Spotlight Players Of UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan Season 12
When match day arrives, history matters, but impact players do more than score points. For UP Yoddhas, Sumit Sangwan is the defensive general. He runs chains and corners with authority and calm aggression that fractures raiders’ rhythm.
His positional intelligence acts as the silent clock that sets the team’s pace. In raids, Bhavani Rajput stands out for his timing.
He might not haul points in flashes, but his consistency and ability to convert pressure situations into steady strings of touch make him undervalued by many.
On Puneri Paltan, the fulcrum is Aslam Inamdar. He is more than a captain, he is versatile. He can switch between raiding and defence seamlessly and refuses to blink when the opposition turns the screw.
Mohammad Nabibakhsh adds firepower from Iran. When he dances into the mat, he brings flair and unpredictability that disrupts defensive setups before they know it.
Gaurav Khatri quietly excels with jarring block tackles that swing momentum and eye contact like a chess player. He inflicts pressure without theatrics.
Sumit and Ashu Singh anchor UP through the structure. Bhavani ensures their raids are dependable. Aslam holds Paltan’s fluid engine together. Nabibakhsh injects volatility.
Gaurav Khatri forces opponents to adjust because he changes mindsets before matches truly heat up.
Predicting The Edge Between UP Yoddhas vs Puneri Paltan?
The clash between UP Yoddhas and Puneri Paltan promises a strategic battle where structure meets raiding flair.
UP possesses unmatched defensive stability through Sumit Sangwan and Ashu Singh, who anchor chains like seasoned generals dictating tempo. Bhavani Rajput offers consistency in attack, converting pressure into points without fuss.
Puneri Paltan counter with Aslam Inamdar, blending leadership with fluid defense and raid switching that unsettles opponents. Mohammad Nabibakhsh supplies unpredictability with his spin and sudden burst when space opens up.
In this matchup, UP Yoddhas are slightly better poised for a long season thanks to their disciplined framework.
Sangwan’s ability to contain and Bhavani’s knack for picking moments of success will keep them afloat in tight scenarios.
Puneri Paltan, however, can turn games quickly. Nabibakhsh’s impact raids and Aslam’s adaptability make the Paltan dangerous in momentum swings.
If UP can establish an early defensive rhythm and allow Bhavani to feed on broken defenses, they will grind out wins. If Puneri manage to destabilize with fast raids and stretch Yoddhas’ structure, they will convert bursts into match-winning runs.
My prediction leads towards UP Yoddhas by a narrow margin, because of how consistent they are. But to be fair, Puneri Paltan push them hard every time. So who can tell?
Check out more posts that we regularly write, analyzing different teams in the Pro Kabaddi League competing against each other.
- Puneri Paltan vs Patna Pirates (2025)
- Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas (2025)
- Puneri Paltan vs Dabang Delhi KC (2025)
Conclusion: UP Yoddhas Are Slightly Ahead, But Puneri Paltan Will Push Them Hard
Season 12 sets the stage for another intense contest between UP Yoddhas and Puneri Paltan. UP Yoddhas enter with a solid defense, organized gameplay, and consistent raiding support, making them dependable across the season.
Puneri Paltan brings flexible raids, the impact of international players, and the ability to turn tight moments in their favor. Past encounters show how evenly matched these teams are, with small plays often deciding the winner.
Fans can expect close battles, tactical raids, and matches that stay competitive until the last second.
Following player form and team strategies closely will make every moment engaging, as discipline, planning, and unpredictability collide on the mat.
FAQs
Sumit Sangwan and Aslam Inamdar guide their teams through examples. They organize plays, coordinate teammates, and shape strategies, keeping both raiding and defensive units focused during high-pressure moments.
Teams adapt by switching raiders, repositioning defenders, and adjusting the game pace. Fast thinking and clear communication help them exploit weaknesses and respond effectively to changing match conditions.
International raiders like Mohammad Nabibakhsh bring unpredictability and variety to attacks. Their experience adds depth to the team, helps break structured defenses, and keeps fans engaged during crucial points.
Consistent performance in raiding and defense is key. Players in good form maintain pressure, make the most of chances, and reduce mistakes, affecting momentum and playoff opportunities.
Teams focus on solid defenses while planning precise raids, managing player stamina, and communicating constantly. Balancing caution with aggression helps sustain performance during a packed schedule.
