The Gujarat Giants took a significant step towards securing a playoff spot in the Pro Kabaddi League with a hard-fought 41-32 triumph over the Bengal Warriors. This crucial win propelled the Giants to the fourth position in the standings, amassing 60 points from 19 matches.
In the early exchanges, Maninder Singh spearheaded Bengal's attack, securing vital raid points to put his team ahead 5-3 by the fifth minute. Despite a brilliant tackle from Fazel Atrachali on Nitin Kumar, the Warriors maintained their lead at 6-4 by the eighth minute.
However, Parteek Dahiya turned the tide with an exceptional raid, eliminating Akshay Kumar, Vaibhav Garje, and Jaskirat Singh, propelling the Giants into a 8-6 lead for the first time in the encounter.
Buoyed by Dahiya's performance, the Giants capitalised on their momentum, executing an 'All Out' to surge ahead 12-7 by the 12th minute. Dahiya's 'Super Raid' further extended their advantage as they dominated proceedings.
Despite Nitin Kumar's late tackles on Rohit Gulia and Deepak Singh, the Giants maintained a 18-14 lead heading into halftime.
The Giants continued their dominance in the second half, with Dahiya initiating proceedings with another 'Super Raid', pushing the lead to 21-14. Another 'All Out' inflicted by the Giants further widened the gap.
However, Maninder Singh's double raid efforts saw the Giants reduced to just one player by the 31st minute. The Warriors capitalised on this by executing an 'All Out', narrowing the deficit to 26-33.
Nevertheless, Rakesh sealed the deal for the Giants with a decisive 'Super Raid', eliminating Akshay Kumar, Vaibhav Garje, and Shubham Shinde, securing a crucial victory.
Haryana Steelers dominate UP Yoddhas with stellar performance
In a remarkable display of skill, the Haryana Steelers showcased their prowess by defeating the UP Yoddhas with a commanding score of 50-34 in PKL Season 10 encounter. Spearheaded by standout performances from Shivam Patare, who scored 12 points, and Vinay, who contributed 10 points, the Steelers demonstrated their dominance to solidify their position in the league table and strengthen their playoff chances.
Known for their defensive strength throughout the season, the Steelers exhibited a different dimension to their game in this match. From the onset, Vinay set the pace, catching the Yoddhas off guard as they suffered their first ‘All Out’, trailing 9-2. The onslaught continued unabated, with Patare and Vinay relentless in their pursuit, while the Steelers' defense effectively neutralised the Yoddhas' raiding duo. Another ‘All Out’ just before halftime further bolstered the Steelers' lead as they entered the break with a commanding 27-12 advantage.
The stark contrast in quality between the two teams was evident on both ends of the mat, with the Steelers outperforming the Yoddhas in raids and tackles by a significant margin in the first half. Despite Mahipal's standout performance for the Yoddhas, it wasn't sufficient to keep them competitive.
Although the Yoddhas briefly appeared to regain momentum in the second half, including a valiant effort by Mohit Nandal with a ‘Super tackle’, they couldn't sustain the momentum. Despite inflicting an ‘All Out’ of their own, the Steelers maintained control of the game.
Despite spirited efforts by Harender Kumar with a pair of ‘Super tackles’, the Yoddhas couldn't stem the tide. A third ‘All Out’ with four minutes remaining sealed the victory for the Steelers, confirming their dominance throughout the match.
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