Season 9 of the Pro Kabaddi League has reached its climax, moving into the playoffs after two months of edge-of-your-seat action. Out of the 12 teams that competed in a series of gripping matches, only six have survived to reach the tournament's main stage: Jaipur Pink Panthers, Puneri Paltan, Tamil Thalaivas, Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi, and UP Yoddhas. Thanks to their superior performance in the points table, the Jaipur Pink Panthers and Puneri Paltan have secured automatic entry into the semifinals.
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 9 after two months of nail-biting performances has finally reached the playoffs. Kabaddi fans witnessed exciting thrillers as there was non-stop action on the mat between 12 teams and now six teams have made it to the main stage of the tournament. Jaipur Pink Panthers, Puneri Paltan, Tamil Thaliavas, Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi, and UP Yoddhas have qualified for the playoffs in the PKL 9. Jaipur Pink Panthers and Puneri Paltan enter the semifinals directly as they finished the league stage as the top-two teams in the points table.
The other four qualifying teams are set to compete in two Eliminator ties to decide who fills the remaining semifinal spots. The intensity hits its peak on Tuesday, December 13, with two thrilling matchups scheduled at the Dome, NSCI SVP Stadium in Mumbai. The first Eliminator will see Dabang Delhi go head-to-head with the Bengaluru Bulls, followed by a clash between the Tamil Thalaivas and UP Yoddhas in the second Eliminator.
The semifinals will take place on Thursday, December 15, 2022, where the Jaipur Pink Panthers will play the winner of the Bengaluru Bulls vs. Dabang Delhi match, and Puneri Paltan will face the winner of the UP Yoddhas vs. Tamil Thalaivas encounter. Everything leads up to the grand finale, which is set for Saturday, December 17, at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai.
The Bengaluru Bulls enter their match with a psychological advantage, having beaten Dabang Delhi twice already this season. A key factor in those victories was Bharat, whose exceptional raiding performance once dragged the Bulls back from a 10-point deficit in the first half to secure a win.
Dabang Delhi, on the other hand, struggled to close out their games, losing two tight matches despite holding significant leads. Their defense has been a liability in high-pressure moments, which proved costly. To turn things around, the defensive duo of Amit Hooda and Sandeep Dhull will need to find a way to neutralize Bharat's raiding threat.
The Tamil Thalaivas are making history as they qualify for the playoffs for the first time ever. However, they face a steep challenge in the UP Yoddhas, a team known for being one of the most reliable and consistent performers in the league.
While the UP Yoddhas have reached the playoffs for three years running, they have yet to break through to a final. The Thalaivas might lack experience in these high-stakes rounds, but they possess a roster capable of stepping up and delivering a surprise performance.