Defending champions Bengal Warriors were given a reality check by UP Yoddha in a tense battle in match 69 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 8. A 40-36 win for the Yoddha has seen them leapfrog Bengal Warriors and reach fourth in the standings. In the day's earlier encounter saw league leaders Dabang Delhi brought to their knees by Haryana Steelers in another close stalemate as they ran out winners by 36-33.
Centurion Vikash does it for the Steelers
The Haryana Steelers had to work hard to earn the vital five points against Dabang Delhi as Viskash Kandola proved to be the difference-maker. The Steelers captain raided 13 points on the night and in doing so also completed his century of raid points in the PKL season 8. It was his inspirational performance that saw Haryana take a decisive first half lead of eight points as they went into the break leading 19-11, securing one all-out.
The half-time lead was consolidated by the Steelers as Vinay (7) and Ashish (4) got into the act with a few superb running hand touches. Defender Surender Nada (3) also played his part to help out the defense. Despite Sandeep Narwal (9) and substitute Neeraj Narwal (6) producing some vital efforts, it was the team from Haryana that earned the points to down Delhi.
Red Hot UP Yoddha's pick momentum with win
The UP Yoddha are unbeaten in their last five matches of the PKL season 8 and have momentum on their side, as they sit just five points adrift of league leaders Dabang Delhi. Defender Nitish Kumar added a feather to the cap in the form of his 250th tackle point. The skipper picked three tackle points while he was supported by Pardeep Narwal and Surender Gill with their raiding tactics. But despite this, it was the defending champions' Maninder Singh, with 19 points, which kept his team in the contest until the very last moment. Only one point separated the teams at the break as UP Yoddha led by 19-18.
Narwal and Gill both picked up nine points each, missing out on a 'Super 10', but made sure their team gets over the line. Sukesh Hegde (6) and Ravindra Kumavat (4) did contribute to the Warriors' tally, but a lead in the dying moments of the second half made sure UP Yoddha walked away with points.
Despite, three losses in the last five matches Dabang Delhi still sit at the summit of the table with 43 points, three points ahead of Bengaluru Bulls. The win sees Haryana Steelers keep their playoff hopes alive as they climb to fifth with back-to-back wins and reach 34 points. Defending champions Bengal Warriors suffered their first defeat in five; they now sit on 35 points in the fifth place while opponents UP Yoddha occupy the fourth spot with their vital win. They have 38 points from 12 matches of the PKL season 8.
It will be a tripleheader on Saturday (January 22) as former champions Bengaluru Bulls take on Puneri Paltan, followed by U Mumba and Telugu Titans battle. The day will conclude with former champions Jaipur Pink Panthers' encounter with Tamil Thalaivas.
