Naveen Kumar and Pardeep Narwal will go head to head when Dabang Delhi will square off against Patna Pirates in the 2019 Pro Kabaddi League at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur later on Thursday.
Both teams have a lot of play to for in this highly-anticipated clash, which will feature two of the three league's leading raiders.
Delhi would eye to regain the top spot after being displaced by Bengal Warriors, while Patna Pirates would look to continue its good run and keep its hopes of making it to the playoffs alive.
Delhi hasn't lost a match since August 1 and it has one man to thank for it. Naveen 'Express' Kumar has spearheaded Delhi's raiding department and registered his 15th consecutive and 16th overall 'Super-10' against Bengaluru Bulls in the previous match.
He is currently placed third in the most raid point list with 211 points.
On the other hand, Pardeep Narwal has kept Patna Pirates afloat. With 224 raid points, he is currently the league's most successful raider this season and Patna has mainly banked on his exploits. The longer he spends time on the mat, the higher is Patna's chances of winning.
Both men, however, have received sporadic support from their teammates. For Delhi, its experienced corner defenders have chipped in with some crucial performances.
Whenever Ravinder Pahal in the right corner and Joginder Narwal in the left get going, Delhi scores big.
Jang Kun Lee's recent returns are an encouraging sign for Patna. Pardeep hasn't received a good supporting hand and it is important that Mohammad Esmaeil Maghsoudlou and Lee provide just that.
Pirates' leading defender Neeraj Kumar is the heart of the team's defence. If he and Vikas Jaglan stitch up a good partnership, Patna will have a good shot at upsetting Delhi.
Delhi is coming off a thrilling 39-39 tie against Bengaluru and Patna Pirates' winning streak was ended by Haryana Steelers in its 34-39 defeat.
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