The Jaipur Pink Panthers secured a thrilling 51-44 victory over the Telugu Titans at the Tau Devi Lal Indoor Stadium in Panchkula, despite a standout performance from Pawan Sehrawat on Friday. Sehrawat's remarkable effort, earning 22 points through 17 raids and five tackles, wasn't enough to overcome the Panthers' cohesive team play. Arjun Deshwal was instrumental for the Panthers, scoring 16 raid points, contributing significantly to their hard-earned win.
The Titans surprised everyone with their explosive start, with Sehrawat quickly putting pressure on the Panthers. Despite a Super Tackle delaying the All-Out, Sehrawat's relentless attack soon led to the Titans taking the lead with the first All-Out.
The Panthers managed to draw level briefly, but the Titans extended their lead with a second All-Out. Sehrawat's Super Raid against Ashish, Abhishek KS, and Sunil Kumar further extended the Titans' lead, ending the first half ahead at 28-20.
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The second half saw a strong comeback from the Panthers, who executed an All-Out to narrow the gap. Deshwal's Super Raid against Ankit and Milad Jabbari shifted the momentum towards the defending champions. However, the Titans continued to challenge, keeping the game competitive until the final minutes.
With the Panthers slightly ahead, Abhijeet Malik's crucial Super Raid in the last minute against Shankar Gadai, Ankit, and Milad Jabbari secured another All-Out, creating a significant nine-point difference. Although the Titans managed to reduce the margin towards the end, the Panthers clinched a well-deserved victory.
Haryana Steelers clinch playoff spot
The Haryana Steelers clinched the last playoff berth in Season 10 of the Pro Kabaddi League with a decisive 39-32 victory over the Patna Pirates. The match witnessed standout performances from Siddharth Desai, who amassed 12 raid points, and Rahul Sethpal, who secured 8 tackle points for the Steelers. On the Patna Pirates side, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj and Sanjay made significant contributions with 6 and 5 tackle points, respectively.
In their season's first home game, the Steelers quickly gained momentum, establishing a 5-1 lead. Despite resting their main lineup and introducing new players, the Patna Pirates fought back, highlighted by a Super Tackle from Rohit and an impressive Super Raid by Anuj Kumar. The contest remained tightly contested, with both teams heading into halftime tied at 13-13.
The second half saw the Patna Pirates' defense initially taking charge, leading to Haryana Steelers being reduced to two players on the mat. However, Rahul Sethpal's Super Tackle momentarily revived the Steelers' hopes. Patna Pirates eventually executed an All-Out, thanks to Rohit's skillful Super Raid, pushing them into a 21-18 lead.
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Siddharth Desai's subsequent four-point Super Raid reversed the Steelers' fortunes, nudging them ahead with a 22-21 score. The match continued with high intensity as Patna Pirates, leveraging Super Tackles, reclaimed the lead at 29-26. Siddharth Desai again stepped up for the Steelers, paving the way for a crucial All-Out that shifted the lead to 33-30 in favor of the home team.
In the final minutes, the Haryana Steelers strategically slowed down the game, securing their playoff spot with a well-earned victory. This match underscored the competitive spirit of the Pro Kabaddi League, setting the stage for an exciting playoff round.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
PKL 10: Puneri Paltan knock Bengal Warriors out of playoffs contention, Ashu leads Dabang Delhi to thrilling win against Tamil Thalaivas
Pro Kabaddi League: Pawan Sehrawat's 16-point masterclass goes in vain as Patna Pirates registers huge comeback win over Telugu Titans to seal playoff berth
