PUN vs HAR Dream11 Team: Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers face off for their first encounter in PKL 7 today
This was touted to be the most competitive and closely contested season of the Pro Kabaddi League and the opening two days have been a testament to that narrative. From reigning champions Bengaluru Bulls being decimated by Gujarat Fortunegiants, Telugu Titans going onto lose their first two home leg matches and U Mumba putting in one of the finest defensive displays, the exuberance of action hasn’t been short lived.
And adding to the excitement today will be Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers, two sides for whom this clash will be the first encounter in the dramatic land of the 2019 edition of PKL 7. And after immersing themselves in hectic engagements during the auctions, both these sides will be looking to be on the ascendancy this series and improve from their showings of last season.
For the Steelers especially, PKL 7 brings with it the immense opportunity to improve on their horrid showing last year. Signing Monu Goyat for Rs.1.5 crore, the side were massively let down by their star raider who they eventually went onto release for PKL 2019, getting in Dharamaraj Cheralathan and Prashant Kumar Rai in his place.
Meanwhile, Puneri Paltan also got in a new captain in the form of one of the most astute defenders in the league in the form of Surjeet Singh. Sitting second in the list of high 5s across the marquee league, Surjeet along with Girish Maruti Ernak makes for a stringent backline for the side, one that is galvanised by the two man partnership of Nitin Tomar and Manjeet in the attacking segment.
What further adds to the intrigue of today’s encounter is the fact that in Anup Kumar and Rakesh Kumar, Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers have respectively roped in former players as their new coaches for this campaign. They join Gujarat Fortunegaints’ Singh as previous players to have shifted to the coaching role and eyes will be on the duo to see if they can resonate the same success as coaches as they did as players.
Puneri Paltan Vs Haryana Steelers Match Prediction
It’s a tricky proposition picking out a winner for this one given the solid defensive units of both the sides coupled with more than capable raiders leading the attacking line. Both sides have gone the similar route for PKL 7, be it in their player purchases or coaches, seeing today’s match be an extremely finely poised and evenly matched one.
We are going to go with Puneri Paltan to win this one solely on the basis of the slightly better defensive options they have upfront along with Manjeet and Nitin in attack. The margins will be extremely fine in this one and the Paltan should just about manage to scrape through to a win here.
Defenders for PUN vs HAR Dream11
Right cover Surjeet Singh and captain of his side for this season comes into our side after having massively impressed over the years alongside left corner Girish Maruti Ernak. Puneri Paltan have built their defensive framework around these two mainstays of their backline, players who have always upped the ante in recent time and if Puneri Paltan are to win this one, these two will need to be at their flawless best today.
We also have Shubman Shinde come in from the side owing to his price tag and likelihood of starting. Elsewhere from Haryana Steelers, their new buy Dhamraj Cheralathan has been picked up by us.
All-Rounders for PUN vs HAR Dream11
With a serious dearth of all-rounders in both these sides with the teams not heavily imbedding their side with the picks from this facet, only Haryana Steelers’ Kuldeep Singh looks to be an ideal option over here. The retained leftcorner will play a pivotal role to his side’s success in the backline along with Dhamraj and we see him rising to the occasion.
Raiders for PUN vs HAR Dream11
We have gone ahead with both the side’s star raiders from last season with Manjeet becoming our selection from Puneri Paltan. Recording the most number of raiding points at 87 for the side in the previous edition of the league, he will play a quissential role for the outfit in this one as well.
From Haryana its Vikash Khandola who comes in for us to complete our Dream 11 side.
Captain And Vice-Captain
We are making Manjeet our captain for this one while Surjeet Singh is our pick for vice-captain.
Probable Playing 7
Puneri Paltan
Surjeet Singh (c), Nitin Tomar, Manjeet, Darshan Kadian, Girish Ernak, Jadhav Shahaji, Shubham Shinde
Haryana Steelers
Dharmaraj Cheralathan (c), Vikash Kandola, Prashanth Kumar Rai, Kuldeep Singh, Naveen Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Vikas Kale
Match Details
Pro Kabaddi League 7
Match Details: Puneri Paltan Vs Haryana Steelers
Date And Time: 22nd May, Monday- 8:30pm
Venue: Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad.
Television: Star Sports 1, Hindi/HD
