MUM vs PUN Dream11 Prediction: 3 surprise picks for today's Pro Kabaddi 2024 match - November 3, 2024
U Mumba (MUM) and Puneri Paltan (PUN) lock horns in the first Maharashtra derby of PKL 2024 on Sunday, November 3, at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
Both teams have made pretty good starts to the season, with U Mumba having two wins and one tie to their name in four matches. The Paltan, meanwhile, have three wins and one tie in five outings. Both sides played out a thrilling encounter last time out, with U Mumba securing a narrow two-point win over Jaipur, while Aslam Inamdar and Co. were held to a 32-32 draw by the Bengal Warriorz.
Considering that their last meeting in PKL 10 finished in a 32-32 tie despite U Mumba having a poor season and the Paltan in top form, this should be another nail-biter.
On that note, let's look at who could be our Dream11 surprise picks for this match.
#3 Akash Shinde (RAI) (PUN)
Puneri Paltan left raider Akash Shinde could be a really valuable Dream11 differential pick for this match. After impressing from the bench continuously, he was handed his first start of the season for the Paltan against the Bengal Warriorz, and he produced a solid effort, one that should help him retain that starting spot.
On a night where Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat found the going tough against the Bengal defense, Akash stepped up and terrorized the Bengal defense, constantly drawing errors from the right corner and left cover, scoring eight raid points.
Playing for the better team in this match-up and with plenty of confidence behind him, Akash Shinde could get a really big Dream11 haul if he gets going. He's a solid surprise pick for this fixture.
#2 Ajit Chauhan (RAI) (MUM)
There was plenty of positive talk surrounding NYP Ajit Chauhan coming into PKL 11, and U Mumba's left raider has shown why, with some dominant raiding displays in these first few matches. He's 11th on the list of top raiders this season, scoring 29 raid points in four matches, and is U Mumba's highest point-scorer so far.
He produced a match-winning performance in U Mumba's last outing against the Jaipur Pink Panthers, scoring 14 raid points, and that should fill him with plenty of confidence going into this match.
Scoring points against this Puneri Paltan defense is the ultimate challenge for any PKL 11 raider, and Ajit will be determined to prove his mettle in this match. Selecting him in your Dream11 team could both bring you plenty of points, and should also make for an exciting watch.
#1 Sanket Sawant (DEF) (PUN)
Arguably the most underrated player in this Puneri Paltan side, left cover Sanket Sawant almost always has differential-level ownership despite playing for one of the best teams in the league. He's somewhat different temperamentally to right cover Abinesh and is a more calmer defender. While his defensive awareness and support for tackles is really good, he does score lesser tackle points than the rest of the Pune defense.
However, against a U Mumba raiding unit that does possess a few left raiders, Sanket could be a handy option. He did score four tackle points in his last meeting with U Mumba, and given the opportunity of scoring all-out points, his points ceiling for this match is higher than usual.
He's a quality Dream11 surprise pick.