Tamil Thalaivas snapped their seven-match losing streak with a decisive 46-27 triumph over UP Yoddhas in a thrilling Pro Kabaddi League match at Mumbai's DOME by NSCI on January 10, Wednesday. Thalaivas' star raider Narender shone brightly, accumulating 14 raid points, while their left corner defender Sahil Gulia contributed 5 tackle points.
The match began with Tamil Thalaivas quickly establishing dominance, achieving the first ALL OUT within the initial 7 minutes, leading to an 11-2 advantage. Their raiders, Narender and Ajinkya Pawar, displayed exceptional form in the first half, overshadowing UP Yoddhas’ raiders Pardeep Narwal and Surender Gill. It was only after some significant raids by Vijay Malik that the Yoddhas began to find their rhythm.
By the end of the first half, Tamil Thalaivas held a commanding 19-11 lead.
Continuing their dominance in the second half, Narender led the Thalaivas with multiple successful raids, including 2 multi-point raids, helping to secure a second ALL OUT and widening their lead significantly. He adeptly navigated past Nitesh Kumar and Gurdeep of the Yoddhas, boosting the Thalaivas' score to 29-15 by the 26th minute.
Pardeep Narwal struggled throughout, being benched for the seventh time after 11 raids in the 30th minute, leaving the Yoddhas with just three players and trailing by 15 points. Despite a SUPER TACKLE from Nitin Panwar aiding the Yoddhas, they couldn't recover. Another impressive multi-point raid by Narender led to the third ALL OUT against the Yoddhas, sealing Tamil Thalaivas' first victory in eight matches and handing the Yoddhas their fourth consecutive defeat.
Dahiya, Amirmohammad eke out draw for U Mumba
In another match, U Mumba and Haryana Steelers ended in a dramatic 44-44 tie. The standout performers were Jaideep Dahiya with his exceptional defending, earning 8 tackle points, and Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, who nearly single-handedly secured the tie for his team with 14 raid points.
The match began with Haryana Steelers setting a rapid pace, quickly diminishing U Mumba's presence on the mat. Jaideep Dahiya's defensive prowess shone through, earning 4 raid points in the first half alone, contributing significantly to the Steelers' early lead.
The Steelers managed the first ALL OUT in the seventh minute, gaining an 11-6 advantage. However, U Mumba fought back, with Amirmohammad Zafardanesh's consistent bonus point collection and Siddharth Desai's SUPER RAID closing the gap to three points by halftime.
Starting the second half with just three players, Haryana Steelers quickly extended their lead to nine points through a SUPER TACKLE and aggressive raiding. However, the match's dynamic nature saw U Mumba erase this lead, achieving an ALL OUT nine minutes into the half to tie the score at 30 each.
The Steelers quickly regained control, securing a second ALL OUT for a five-point lead. However, U Mumba responded with their second ALL OUT, leveling the score at 44-44 with just 40 seconds remaining. In the tense final moments, neither team could secure a lead, ending the game in a well-deserved tie, with each team earning a point.
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