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Bottom-placed Puneri Paltan ended their three-match losing streak in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 8 with a well-deserved win by 33-26 against Gujarat Giants. Mohit Goyat (10 points) and Aslam Inamdar (8 points) were the shining light for the Pune-based franchise. The win was their second of the season as they try to climb from the bottom half of the table.
After a defensive start, both teams started to open their cards, Goyat was the pick of the bunch with eight points in the first half. His exploits lead to the first all-out of the match, as Gujarat Giants lost momentum. The Paltans then won eight points in a row to come from behind and in a flash the score was 12-4 while they trailed 3-4 just minutes before. Defensive errors and poor mat awareness in the 10th minute lead to the all-out.
By the end of the first half, the Paltans had a six-point cushion as they were leading with a score of 19-13. For the Giants, it was Rakesh who grabbed seven points, with six successful raids. Paltans picked 13 points from raids, highlighting their raiding province.
Gujarat started the second half with just two players on the mat. They finally melted in the 25th minute as the Paltans registered their second all-out of the match. Defensive errors let the Giants down again. Ajay Kumar though kept on fighting as he reduced the gap to five points with a score of 19-24.
Going into the final quarter, the team from Pune had a five-point lead. Goyat was well supported by Aslam Inamdar as they picked five points from four successful raids. Giants captain Pahal though had an off day as he picked only one defensive point in the first 30 minutes. Ajay on the other hand scalped his fifth 'Super 10' in PKL, but that only proved to be a consolation for his team.
The Paltans however consolidated on their early lead and took the initiative to maintain it. It was until the last minute when Goyat's 'Man of the Match' performance coupled with a 'Super 10' saw them take the points as the match ended 33-26 in favour of the Paltans.
The win against Gujarat lifts the Paltans from the bottom spot as they go above Telugu Titans in 11th place, having played a game more. They have now picked up 10 points from six games, which includes couple of wins. Gujarat on the flip side have gone five matches without a win, losing three with couple others ending in tie. They languish eighth in the table with 14 points. Pune are next in action on Friday (January 7) against Jaipur Pink Panthers while Gujarat Giants will be hoping for a much improved performance against Patna Pirates on Saturday (January 8).
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