The playoff stage of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 came to an end on Wednesday, February 28. The matchup for the grand final is now set, with last season's beaten finalists, Puneri Paltan set to take on Haryana Steelers on Friday, March 1.
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Pune qualified for the semi-final by virtue of finishing first in the league stage. After winning 17 times in 22 games, they then went on to record a 37-21 win over Patna Pirates to qualify for the final.
By contrast, Haryana finished fifth in the league stage, with 13 wins in 22 matches. They blew Gujarat Giants away in the second eliminator match, before earning a hard-fought victory over Jaipur Pink Panthers in the second semi-final.
Ahead of the final, TSN brings you three key match-ups in the summit clash.
Puneri Paltan vs Haryana Steelers: Three key battles to watch out for in Pro Kabaddi final
Mohammedreza Shadloui Chiyaneh vs Vinay
Iranian all-rounder Mohammedreza Shadloui Chiyaneh became Pro Kabaddi's most expensive foreign player ever, when Puneri Paltan splashed INR 2.35 crores to secure his services. He has repaid the team's faith, racking up tackle points left, right and centre to lead the league in that metric.
Haryana Steelers raider Vinay is likely to be his toughest opponent. The 24-year-old has been in excellent form throughout the season. In the two group games between these sides, he scored 15 & 8 raid points, proving a handful for the Shadloui and his teammates, who would love to shut him down in the final.
Aslam Mustafa Inamdar vs Rahul Sethpal
Haryana's defensive department this season has been marshalled by right corner defender Rahul Sethpal. Now in his third season of PKL, he has racked up more super tackles (15) than anyone else, with the second-highest tally being Reza Mirbagheri's 9. Even when the Steelers are depleted, if Sethpal is on the mat, they have a chance of doing well.
Pune captain Aslam Inamdar has been in red-hot raiding form this season, while also chipping in on the defensive side of things. If Haryana are to upset the odds in this final, Sethpal will need to keep Inamdar quiet.
Gaurav Khatri vs Shivam Patare
20-year-old Shivam Patare is playing his first season of PKL, but has made an instant impact for Haryana. The raider has notched up 114 points in 22 matches, becoming a mainstay in the side's offensive line and providing ample support to Vinay and Siddharth Desai.
Patare is likely to be up against Pune's Gaurav Khatri. The defender averages around 2.8 tackles per match, but at a success rate of nearly 60%. When he pounces, he makes it count. This is unlikely to be the main battle of the final, but whoever wins this one will go a long way to stifling the big hitters in the opposition.
MORE: PKL season 10 points table: Live updated standings for Pro Kabaddi League
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