PKL 9 Bengaluru Leg: Patna Pirates unable to find rhythm throughout

The three-time champions have won just two games out of eight in the first third of the season.

Three-time champions Patna Pirates had a terrible opening leg with just one victory to their name. They played seven matches but could only beat Dabang Delhi in Bengaluru leg of PKL 9. Starting as the favourites, the Pirates managed to end the two encounters with a draw. They finished at the tenth spot with 13 points. Only the Tamil Thalaivas and Telugu Titans were behind them.

Results in PKL 9 Bengaluru Leg

• Match 1: Puneri Paltan 34 – 34 Patna Pirates

• Match 2: Jaipur Pink Panthers 35 – 30 Patna Pirates

• Match 3: Patna Pirates 21 – 30 Telugu Titans

• Match 4: Bengal Warriors 54 – 26 Patna Pirates

• Match 5: Tamil Thalaivas 33 – 32 Patna Pirates

• Match 6: Patna Pirates 37 – 33 Dabang Delhi KC

• Match 7: Bengaluru Bulls 31 – 31 Patna Pirates

Positives

Raiding

Despite a terrible show in the first leg, raiders like Rohit Gulia and Sachin performed well for Patna. Both have 55 raid points in their first 7 matches, and the numbers are expected to take a good jump in the Pune leg. Getting raid points on a regular basis is a big positive for the side, but too many expectations from these two have kept them below other teams.

Negatives

Defence

Even with some prominent names in the squad, the defence has been ordinary for the Patna Pirates. Apart from right corner defender Sunil, none of the others showed promise in the Bengaluru Leg. Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, who was a superstar for the team in the last edition, is struggling to find his lost form. So far, he has 14 successful tackles in five games, which is way below his ability.

Top Performer

Rohit Gulia has been good for the team since the commencement of PKL Season 9. He has scored 55 raid points so far and showed his skills in defence as well. The team’s expectation from Rohit would be high in the Pune leg because of his consistency. Rohit would like to continue his good show in the next leg. Sachin, on the other hand, has been supporting his side through his exceptional raiding skills.

Under Performer

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh was one of the top performers in Season 8. The Iranian is yet to be at his best in the ongoing edition. The Bengaluru leg has been an ordinary one for Chiyaneh, with just 14 tackle points in five games. If Patna Pirates have to come back from here onwards, then Chiyaneh needs to perform in the upcoming games. The defence has not been up to the mark for the Bihar-based franchise so far. They need to come up with some strategy to fight these defence woes.

Conclusion

No one would have thought that the three-time champions, Patna Pirates, would struggle a lot to find victories, especially after a phenomenal show in the previous season. They started the season as the favourites but looked weak from Game 1 against Puneri. The encounter must have ended in a tie, there was no winning intent shown by the Season 8 finalists.

They need to work on their defence in the Pune leg of PKL 9. Defenders including Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, Neeraj Kumar, and Manish, have to support Sunil to take the pressure off his shoulders.