Jaipur Pink Panthers triumphed over the Tamil Thalaivas with a scoreline of 42-27 in their Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 encounter at the Patliputra Indoor Stadium in Patna on January 31. This victory ensured that the Jaipur Pink Panthers are the first team to secure a spot in the playoffs this season, even with three more stages of the league phase remaining. Arjun Deshwal was the standout performer for the Panthers, amassing an impressive 13 raid points, while Narender from Tamil Thalaivas managed 12 raid points despite the loss.
The opening half was marked by remarkable moments, starting with Narender's Super Raid that took out Reza Mirbagheri, Ankush, and Sunil Kumar, giving Tamil Thalaivas an early edge. However, Arjun Deshwal quickly matched this with a Super Raid of his own, diminishing Tamil Thalaivas' presence on the mat.
Tamil Thalaivas managed to maintain a narrow two-point advantage at the break, thanks to two exceptional Super Tackles by their newcomer Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi.
The second half, however, showcased a transformed scenario as Jaipur Pink Panthers demonstrated their potential for the championship. Under Arjun's relentless pressure, Tamil Thalaivas faltered, and the Panthers secured the game's first All-Out, taking a 27-20 lead midway through the second half.
A second All-Out in the final four minutes sealed the fate of the match, propelling Jaipur Pink Panthers to a commanding 37-22 lead. Their defense, which had only scored three points in the first half, made a remarkable comeback with 11 points in the latter half, playing a pivotal role in their decisive win.
Patna Pirates remain unbeaten
The Patna Pirates maintained their undefeated streak at home by drawing 28-28 with Bengaluru Bulls in a thrilling PKL match. Sandeep Kumar, with 14 raid points, and Ankit, with 8 tackle points, were the standout players for the Patna Pirates in this captivating match.
Bengaluru Bulls, featuring a revamped raiding unit, saw Sushil making a significant impact early on. His superb SUPER RAID quickly put his team in the lead, 5-1, reducing the opposition to just two players. Despite missing their captain Sachin, the home team managed to avert an ALL OUT, thanks to Ankit's defensive prowess and raider Sandeep, bringing the score to an 8-8 tie.
For Bengaluru Bulls, Akshit played a key role, steadily breaking down the Patna Pirates’ defence. His excellent chain tackle on Sandeep led to an ALL OUT in the 16th minute, giving the Karnataka team a 14-10 advantage. The first half concluded with a 2-point raid from Patna Pirates captain Manjeet.
In the second half, Sandeep significantly stepped up for the Patna Pirates with multiple high-scoring raids, including two multi-point ones. He achieved his first SUPER 10 of the season, skillfully evading Monu’s ankle hold and securing a running hand touch on Parteek. Ankit also shone for the home team, earning a High 5, as they took a 26-25 lead with five minutes remaining.
The climax of the match was in the final minutes, with Sandeep and Ankit securing a 29-28 lead for Patna Pirates. Although the Pirates had favorable reviews and seemed poised for a win, Bharat from Bengaluru Bulls executed a crucial running hand touch on Krishan Dhull in one of the last raids, resulting in a tied score and a sensational end to the game. With this result, Patna Pirates joined Jaipur Pink Panthers as only the second team to remain unbeaten at home this season.
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