The Pro Kabaddi League is entering its business end and the table is wide open for all the teams except Telugu Titans to make it to the Eliminator.
The Eliminator contests will be played on December 13 at the NSCI SVP Stadium, Mumbai. There are 21 matches remaining in the league stages and all these matches will be taking place at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad.
The Eliminator matches will be played between the sides that finish from the third position to sixth on the points table. The winners of the Eliminators will qualify for the semi-final, where they will face the teams that finished in the top two positions.
Jaipur Pink Panthers and Puneri Paltan, who take the first and second positions on the table, respectively, with 69 points each, are likely to take the direct semi-final spots.
Bengaluru Bulls (63 points) and UP Yodhas (60 points) are in the mix as well to secure a top-two spot and play one game less in the tournament. They aren’t far away from the Panthers and Paltan and the Yodhas have played one game less than the current top three.
Tamil Thalaivas and Dabang Delhi occupy the fifth and sixth spot, but they are within touching distance of U Mumba (currently seventh with 50 points), who have played one game less. A victory for the Mumbai-based side against UP Yodhas on Friday could steer them back into the top six.
Bengal Warriors, Patna Pirates and Haryana Steelers are in contention to reach the knockout stage as well, but they will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat in their remaining matches. They also require a massive favour from other sides to remain alive in the tournament.
The Telugu Titans are definitely out of the tournament having lost 17 matches in 19, but they could still spoil a few parties in their final three matches. They take on the Tamil Thalaivas, Gujarat Giants and Haryana Steelers in their remaining matches.
Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 - Eliminator schedule
December 13, 2022: Eliminator 1, NSCI NVP Stadium, Mumbai - 7:30 PM IST
December 13, 2022: Eliminator 2, NSCI NVP Stadium, Mumbai - 8:30 PM IST
Featured Image: Vishal Bhatnagar / Alamy Stock Photo
