Arjun Deshwal delivered an outstanding performance, leading the Jaipur Pink Panthers to a commanding 67-30 win over the U.P. Yoddhas, securing their spot in the Pro Kabaddi League semi-finals on Monday.
Deshwal was the game's highest scorer, earning 20 raid points, while defenders Sunil Kumar and Ankush each achieved High 5s, bolstering the team's defense.
Early in the match, Mahipal's couple of raid points put the Yoddhas slightly ahead at 3-2 by the fourth minute. Sumit's tackle on V Ajith Kumar momentarily reduced the Panthers to just two players. However, a SUPER TACKLE by Abhishek KS on Gagana Gowda equalized the score at 7-7 by the eighth minute.
Shortly afterwards, the Panthers gained a narrow lead of 9-8 in the tenth minute by tackling Mahipal. By the fifteenth minute, with tackles and raids by Ankush and Ajith, respectively, the Panthers had established a 13-10 advantage. A significant raid by Arjun Deshwal then left the Yoddhas with a single player on the mat.
Leveraging this momentum, the Panthers executed an ALL OUT, widening their lead to 18-11. Deshwal's exceptional performance continued, helping the Panthers to a 23-11 lead by halftime.
In the second half's early moments, another ALL OUT by the Jaipur Pink Panthers expanded their lead to 27-12.
Despite Ashu Singh and Gagana Gowda scoring for the Yoddhas, the Panthers maintained a substantial lead of 28-15 by the 25th minute. Amirhossein Mohammad Maleki and Arjun Deshwal's raid points contributed to another ALL OUT, further asserting the Panthers' dominance at 37-15.
The Panthers maintained intense pressure throughout the remainder of the match, culminating in a decisive victory.
Bengal Warriors down U Mumba
The Bengal Warriors edged closer to the playoffs with a significant 46-34 victory against U Mumba. The standout performances came from the Warriors' raiding trio: Maninder Singh with 10 points, Nitin Kumar, and S Vishwas, each adding 8 points, creating a notable impact in the match.
The Warriors kicked off the game with an electrifying pace, scoring six consecutive points within the first five minutes, leaving U Mumba struggling to score. When U Mumba finally managed to get on the scoreboard, they were quickly overwhelmed by the Warriors, who executed the game's first ALL OUT, surging ahead to an 11-2 lead.
U Mumba attempted a comeback in the following segment, with Shivam leading the charge. However, the Warriors' strategic containment of Amirmohammad Zafardanesh's raids was crucial, allowing them to maintain their lead into halftime with a substantial seven-point advantage.
As the second half progressed, the Warriors initially maintained their lead comfortably. However, a surge from Shivam, including a SUPER RAID against Shubham Shinde and R Guhan, allowed U Mumba to stage their own ALL OUT, narrowing the gap with more than 15 minutes remaining.
Despite this, the Warriors quickly regained control, with Maninder Singh spearheading an effort that dwindled U Mumba's presence on the mat. With eight minutes left, the Warriors secured a second ALL OUT, significantly widening their lead once again.
In the final stages, U Mumba fought hard to salvage points from the match, managing to challenge the Warriors' numbers. Yet, a SUPER TACKLE by Harsh Lad in the last minute was not enough to deter a dominant first-half performance by the Warriors, leading them to a well-earned win.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Pro Kabaddi League: Gujarat Giants qualify for playoffs with 22-point win over Bulls; Puneri Paltan in semi-final after thrashing Thalaivas by 27 points
Pro Kabaddi League: Bengal Warriors decimate Telugu Titans by 20 points; Patna Pirates thump U Mumba by 21 points
