Chennai, October 4: After a spirited display against table-toppers Dabang Delhi, the UP Yoddhas now turn their attention to the Telugu Titans as they continue their Chennai leg of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium. The match is scheduled for October 5, with action beginning at 8:00 pm IST.
The Yoddhas showcased commendable tactical discipline in their previous outing, matching Delhi raid for raid through large phases of the contest. While the scoreline ultimately tilted in Delhi’s favour, the performance underlined a Yoddhas unit that stayed composed, adapted swiftly, and maintained pressure through intelligent raiding sequences and disciplined defensive structures.
Against the Telugu Titans, they will look to translate those tactical foundations into tangible results.
In attack, Gagan Gowda’s consistency and Bhavani Rajput’s versatility continue to give the Yoddhas a well-rounded edge. The duo’s ability to stitch together effective raid streaks, complemented by the experience of Guman Singh and the dynamism of Shivam Choudhary, provides the team with depth and variety. Their collective efficiency against one of the league’s sharpest defences last time out demonstrated their ability to break down structured formations, a quality that will be crucial against a Titans side known for its aggressive tackling.
Defensively, skipper Sumit Sangwan’s leadership remains central to the unit’s cohesion. Supported ably by vice-captain Ashu Singh and the experienced Mahender Singh, the backline showed encouraging signs of discipline against Delhi, matching them raid for raid without letting momentum slip for extended stretches. The focus now will be on converting those tight defensive situations into tackle points more consistently, a factor that could tilt the balance in Chennai.
The Titans present a different kind of challenge, one built around opportunistic raids and bursts of momentum. For the Yoddhas, the task will be to control the tempo, maintain defensive shape, and sustain their raiding rhythm across both halves.
Speaking ahead of the clash, assistant coach Upendra Malik said, “We took a lot of learnings from the Delhi game. The boys executed the plan well for most parts, and now it’s about sustaining that level throughout the match. Telugu Titans are a competitive unit, but if we play with the same intent and structure, we’ll put ourselves in a strong position.”
With momentum quietly building and tactical layers taking shape, the Yoddhas will aim to convert their promising signs into a clinical performance under the Chennai lights on Saturday night.
