Pro Kabaddi League Season 5: U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan

U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan

When four new teams were added and it becomes clear that the firth edition of Pro Kabaddi League would run for over three months, there will be a change in the format as well.

Considering the all 12 teams instead of the usual 8 teams, PKL organisers, Mashal Sports and Star Sports, have decided to change the format of the pro kabaddi league completely.

Now, instead of straight shootout, there will be two different zones- Zone A and Zone B.

Zone A will consist of teams namely Dabang Delhi, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Puneri Paltan, U Mumba, Haryana Steelers and Gujarat Fortune giants. Zone B will have Telugu Titans, Bengaluru Bulls, Patna Pirates, Bengal Warriors, UP Yoddha and Tamil Thailavas respectively.

The PKL commissioner, Anupam Goswami,said the zones had been created based on geographical proximity and to give the league an opportunity to create rivalries and get in as many derby games as possible. 

So, in Zone A team U Mumba playing the match against Puneri Paltan on 28July and Dabang Delhi facing the team Haryana Steelers on 23 August. In Zone B, there are many clashes between – Telugu Titans vs Bengaluru Bulls, Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas and more.

Also Read: U Mumba: All You Need To Know About U Mumba Owners|U Mumba Season 5

The teams from the same group will play each other three times, while franchises from different zones will only face off against each other once through the pro kabaddi league phase of the season. For those matches between different zones, there will be a designated inter-zonal challenge week – sounds exciting and complicated at the same time, doesn't it – while there will also be an inter-zonal wildcard match, which will be played in October. 

U Mumba vs Puneri Paltan

It might be more complicated than the previous edition of pro kabaddi keague, but one good thing for the 12 franchises is that there will be two extra slots for the playoffs. 

The playoffs matches this time are certainly going to carry more weight, while also giving the better teams an extra chance at qualification. A few times in the previous editions, teams have done splendidly in the league phase, only to lose their way in the semifinal and see those hopes of winning the title dashed in a hurry.

In this new season of pro kabaddi league, it will be interesting to see the match between U Mumba and Puneri Paltan.

Zone A: Dabang Delhi, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Puneri Paltan, U Mumba, Haryana Steelers and Gujarat Fortune giants.

Zone B: Telugu Titans, Bengaluru Bulls, Patna Pirates, Bengal Warriors, UP Yoddha and Tamil Thailavas.

Teams from the same zone will play each other three times each. Once against the teams from different zone in pro kabaddi league.

Also Read: Pro Kabaddi League 2017: Zone A strengths, weaknesses and more