PKL 9: Gujarat Giants beat UP Yoddhas in a high-scoring affair

In the second game of the day, Bengaluru Bulls thrash Tamil Thalaivas.

Captain Chandran Ranjit led from the front with 20 points to help the Gujarat Giants defeat UP Yoddhas 51-45 in the vivo Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 9 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Ranjit received able support from his fellow raider Rakesh, who racked up 16 points in the match. In the second game of the day, Bengaluru Bulls thrashed Tamil Thalaivas 45-28.

Chandran Ranjit stepped up with a couple of raids for Gujarat, but Surender Gill also picked up raids for UP as both sides traded points in the first five minutes of the match. However, Pardeep Narwal pulled off a SUPER RAID in the 9th minute to help the Yoddhas take the lead at 10-7. But, moments later, Ranjit effected a fantastic raid and helped his side to regain the lead at 12-11. However, the Yoddhas inflicted an ALL OUT in the 12th minute and attained a stronghold of the match at 16-14. Defenders Ashu Singh and Sumit also joined the party for UP as the team widened its lead at 19-15. Ranjit and Rakesh pulled off raids for Gujarat, but the Yoddhas managed to stay ahead at 21-19 at the end of the first half.

The Giants showed more determination and inflicted an ALL OUT in the opening minutes of the second half to take the lead at 25-23. Moments later, Ranjit effected a SUPER RAID and reduced the Yoddhas to three players on the mat. Gujarat kept raging on and inflicted another ALL OUT in the 28th minute to take a massive lead at 37-29. Rakesh continued to showcase top form as the Giants stayed in the lead at 42-35 in the 35th minute. Soon after, Gujarat sealed the deal after effecting another ALL OUT and taking a huge lead at 49-38. Pardeep Narwal pulled off a SUPER RAID in the dying minutes of the match, but the Giants held on to their lead and eventually walked off the mat as winners.

PKL 9 Match 2: Bengaluru Bulls 45-28 Tamil Thalaivas

Bengaluru Bulls recorded their third win of the season, beating Tamil Thalaivas 45-28 in front of a packed Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru to rise to the third place in the standings on Wednesday. Bharat (12 points), Vikash Kandola (7 points) and Neeraj Narwal (5 points) were the pick of the raiders for the Bulls who broke a two-match losing streak in emphatic style.

Both teams traded points to kick off the game, and much like the evening's first game, both defences were lax in their application, allowing raiders the opportunity to add to their tallies with ease. It didn't take long — barely halfway through the first period — though, for the Bulls to open up a sizable lead. Bharat, on only his second raid of the evening, got a SUPER RAID taking out M Abishek, K. Abhimanyu and V Visvanath to induce the first ALL OUT of the game and give the Bulls a 11-5 lead.

The Thalaivas slowly chipped away at that considerable lead as the half wore on, mostly getting bonus points of their own. But just as it seemed the Thalaivas were getting back into the game, the Bulls seized control again. Neeraj Narwal's heroics at both ends of the mat ensured the home team went into the break leading 18-12.

The Bulls' momentum continued into the second half, Bharat using his reach and speed to constantly get touch points for his team. Left with just two men on the mat, for the Thalaivas, another ALL OUT loomed ahead. At that precise moment though, Aashish initiated a brilliant SUPER TACKLE, taking out Kandola to prolong his team's capitulation. It didn't last long though, as Bharat again proved the difference through a two-point raid, which helped his team inflict a second ALL OUT on the Thalaivas as the Bulls extended their lead at 27-18.

The Thalaivas briefly threatened a comeback, which was quickly snuffed out by Kandola who induced a third ALL OUT on them as the home team cruised to the win. 

PKL 9 - Award Winners of the Night:

Match 1: Gujarat Giants vs UP Yoddhas

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Chandran Ranjit (Gujarat Giants)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Rakesh (Gujarat Giants)

Moment of the Match - Chandran Ranjit (Gujarat Giants)

Match 2: Bengaluru Bulls vs Tamil Thalaivas

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Bharat (Bengaluru Bulls)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Saurabh Nandal (Bengaluru Bulls)

Moment of the Match - Bharat (Bengaluru Bulls)

Tune In details (21/10/2022) - PKL 9

7:30 PM: U Mumba vs Haryana Steelers

8:30 PM: Puneri Paltan vs Bengal Warriors

9:30 PM: Patna Pirates vs Dabang Delhi KC

Venue: Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru