PKL 9: Puneri Paltan, Haryana Steelers register wins and climb the table

Manjeet Chhillar's team continued their poor defensive game against their opponents.

Puneri Paltan put forth an exemplary performance to beat the Jaipur Pink Panthers 32-24 in the first game of the evening in PKL 9 at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Aslam Inamdar's 13 points proved to be the big difference between two sides that were jostling for control throughout the game. In the other game of the day in PKL 9, Telugu Titans continued their dismal form against Haryana Steelers as they lost 24-43 to them.

The two teams went neck in neck, matching raid for raid and tackle for tackle for most of the opening period. The Paltan's Aslam Inamdar was prolific in the early stages, his speed and agility troubling the Pink Panthers' defence on every raid. Soon enough, his raids started adding up, and in the last five minutes of the first half, Puneri Paltan started pulling away. In the last few seconds of the first half, they effected the first ALL OUT of the evening, going into the break with a 17-11 lead.

The Pink Panthers came roaring into game in the second period, the raiding duo of Arjun Deshwal and Rahul Chaudhari suddenly landed all their raids and put the seasoned Paltan defense under immense pressure. Point by point they reduced the deficit, as the Paltan kept losing players on the mat. With an all out looming though, the Paltan's big guns rallied together. First, a SUPER TACKLE by Gaurav Khatri put Deshwal out of the equation, and then almost immediately another one, this time by Mohammad Nabibaksh put Chaudhari out. From staring at an all out, the Paltan suddenly pulled into an eight-point lead.  

From thereon, Fazel Atrachali never let Puneri Paltan drop their concentration as they kept picking up crucial points, keeping the Pink Panthers at an arm's length, and eventually even denied them a consolation point from the game.

PKL 9 Day 16 Match 2: Telugu Titans 24-43 Haryana Steelers

Haryana Steelers returned to winning ways in the vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 as they defeated Telugu Titans 43-24 at Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. It was a team effort from the Haryana side as Meetu starred in the raiding department, earning 13 points, while Nitin Rawal, Jaideep and Amirhossein Bastami stole the show in the defence unit.

Monu Goyat began the proceedings as he got a raid point for Telugu Titans, but K Prapanjan levelled the scores immediately with Haryana Steelers' first raid. Minutes later, Manjeet got a touch on Vinay to give Steelers the lead. Soon after, a SUPER RAID from the Steelers raid put the Telugu Titans on the backfoot. A couple of minutes later, the Steelers inflicted an ALL OUT and attained a stronghold of the match with a six-point lead.

Manjeet and Meetu continued their top form on the night to ensure Steelers maintain their extensive lead. Vijay Kumar inflicted a SUPER TACKLE on Meetu as hopes reignited for Titans. But minutes later, Meetu earned another SUPER RAID, as the Steelers inflicted another ALL OUT to go into halftime with a 24-11 lead.

The second half started with Nitin catching Manjeet early on to get a big point for the Titans. Moments later, Vishal Bhardwaj caught Meetu and Telugu Titans found hopes for a comeback. But Mohit, Amirhossein Bastami and Nitin Rawal kept inflicting tackles on the other end to maintain Steelers' comfortable lead.

Adarsh T tried to fight for the Titans through a SUPER RAID, but Manjeet put an end to Titans' resistance, earning two consecutive raid points. Meetu earned another super raid in the match as the Steelers continued to extend their lead.

The Steelers inflicted another ALL OUT going into the last two minutes of the match. Haryana kept raging on and eventually won the encounter with ease.

PKL 9 Award Winners of the Night:

Match 1: Puneri Paltan vs Jaipur Pink Panthers

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan)

Moment of the Match - Arjun Deshwal (Jaipur Pink Panthers)

Match 2: Telugu Titans vs Haryana Steelers

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Meetu Sharma (Haryana Steelers)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Manjeet (Haryana Steelers)

Moment of the Match - Meetu Sharma (Haryana Steelers)

PKL 9 Tune In details (26/10/2022)

7:30 PM: Gujarat Giants vs U Mumba

8:30 PM: Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Bengal Warriors

Venue: Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru