Dabang Delhi might have claimed the top spot but securing a 30-30 draw against Tamil Thalaivas on January 1 (Saturday) in a Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) match despite being ahead by eight points with ten minutes remaining, might go down as a little frustrating affair for the Delhi side.
Ten minutes before the closure of the game, Tamil Thalaivas asked for a time out and that seemed to have made all the difference as the total outcome of the game changed since then.
Tamil Thalaivas made a strong comeback and kept chipping away at Dabang Delhi's lead. Naveen Kumar, who had picked up 14 raid points, was on the bench for the last five minutes and Tamil Thalaivas did manage to complete the comeback and draw the game.
Three draws
PKL could not have asked to start the new year 2022 in a better fashion than this. Three tied matches on the first day is something one does not get to experience on a daily basis.
In the first game of the night UP Yoddha rallied to play 28-28 stalemate against U Mumba in Match 25 of the PKL at the Sheraton Grand Whitefield in Bengaluru on Saturday (January 1).
In the second fixture, Pawan Sehrawat's last-second tackle pulled off an unlikely 34-34 draw against Telugu Titans in the PKL.
Close from the beginning
The third game of the night between Dabang Delhi and Tamil Thalaivas seemed to be a tight affair from the very beginning.
Naveen Kumar, for Dabang Delhi, attempted a bonus but Sahil Singh made an ankle hold on him but fails to grip it and Naveen managed to score the second touch point of the game and helped his side to gain one-point lead 4-3.
Just before the half time, Naveen got his 26th consecutive super ten 10 in PKL and at the half time Delhi secured a two-point lead 16-14.
With ten minutes still to be played, the result of the match seemed pretty clear as Tamil raider stepped into the lobbies without getting a touch. An eight-point lead for Delhi seemed to be enough to seal the deal but surprise was still left.
Tamil Thalaivas asked for a time out and the tabled tunred totally after that. Tamil side manaed to reduce the deficit to just two points with Naveen off the mat.
Naveen might have managed to earn 14 raid points for his side but his effort perhaps might look a little inadequate as it only earned a draw for the Dabang Delhi.
