PKL | Assessing each team's chances in the playoffs

Meanwhile, Tamil Thalaivas have made it to the last six for the very first time, whereas Patna have won the title thrice. Jaipur and Delhi have also won the title on one occasion in the past.

Bengaluru Bulls will compete against Dabang Delhi in the eliminators for the right to play Jaipur in the semifinal, while Puneri Paltan will be waiting for the victors of the match between Tamil Thalaivas and UP Yoddhas.

On Tuesday, December 13, both elimination rounds will be held. The semifinals will follow on Thursday, December 15. The championship match is on December 17 Saturday.

Chances

Matches: 22 | Points: 82 | Score Difference: 174 | Position: 1

Prediction: Will make the final

But talking about the positives, they have been lucky to have the best raider and defender of the season in their ranks -- Arjun Deshwal and Ankush. They would be the favourites to win the title.

Puneri Paltan

Prediction: Will make the final

Puneri Paltan are a reliable team that has been reliable throughout the entire season, even though they haven't always been great. They rank sixth for raid points and seventh for tackle points, respectively, but they are a team that knows how to win games as proven by their 14 victories throughout the league phase.

This youthful squad could feel pressure in crucial situations, but they have a captain in Atrachali who is capable of leading the group to perfection.

Bengaluru Bulls

Prediction: Loss to Jaipur Pink Panthers in the semifinal

Bengaluru Bulls outperformed certain expectations in the inaugural season of the post-Pawan Sehrawat era by placing third in the league phase.

A victory in the elimination round would face the Bulls against the unstoppable Jaipur juggernaut, though.

UP Yoddhas

Prediction: Loss to Puneri Paltan in the semifinal             

The resurgence of Pardeep Narwal has been the major development for UP Yoddhas this season. After a lacklustre couple of seasons, the all-time leading raider in the PKL has once again lit the stage on fire with 208 raid points.

Even if their raiding unit defeats Tamil Thalaivas in the elimination round, the Yoddhas may find it difficult to defeat Aslam and Mohit in the semifinals. Instead, they will have to rely on their raiders to have an outstanding day against an Atrachali-led defence.

Tamil Thalaivas

Prediction: Loss to UP Yoddhas in the eliminator

PKL9 is a season that Tamil Thalaivas will never forget, regardless of what they do moving forward. They witnessed the worst conceivable beginning as Pawan Sehrawat suffered a knee injury that would ruin his season. Due to poor performance, the franchise fired J Udayakumar and replaced him with Ashan Kumar, who has performed wonders.

However, they have discovered stars, none more so than Narendar Hoshiyar, who was given the very unpleasant role of standing in for Sehrawat. With that eight-point raid against the Telugu Titans and a subsequent seven-point raid against the same opposition, Ajinkya Pawar worked some magic.

However, even the tough Thalaivas would not be able to handle an elimination match against the Pardeep Narwal of 2022 without the strength of Sagar in their corner.

Matches: 22 | Points: 63 | Score Difference: 17 | Position: 6

Prediction: Loss to Bengaluru Bulls in the eliminator

For Dabang Delhi, Naveen Kumar has maintained his position of influence while receiving assistance from Ashu Malik and Manjeet in the raiding division.

Whether the Delhi defence can contain Bharat will probably determine who advances to the semifinal match versus the Bulls. Only Telugu Titans and Gujarat Giants had a poorer successful tackle % than Delhi, despite having the second-highest number of tackle points in PKL 9. Errors may be costly against a raider like Bharat, and that may be Delhi's weak point.