PKL 9: Puneri Paltan climb to top, Haryana Steelers halt winless run

Akash Shinde and Manjeet were the picks of the players today.

PKL 9 Day 33 Match 1: Puneri Paltan vs Bengal Warriors

On an evening when Aslam Inamdar reached the 100-point mark for the season, Puneri Paltan defeated the Bengal Warriors 43-27 in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi in Pune. The prolific trio of Akash Shinde (10 points), Inamdar (9 points) and Mohit Goyat (8 points) were the star performers of the day.

A see-saw first half saw Paltan streak into an early lead, inflicting the first ALL-OUT on the Warriors to surge into an 11-1 lead. However, the Warriors rallied and picked up a string of points where they not only scored 10 points of their own but also ensured that Paltan only got a mere three.

They got an ALL-OUT of their own to cut the gap before the pendulum swung again. Within five minutes, Paltan had another ALL-OUT, streaking away into a 24-12 lead. They held onto it to go into half-time leading 24-13.

Paltan kept the momentum going through the second half as the raiding trio of Inamdar, Shinde and Goyat regularly grabbed points and didn't allow the Warriors any chance to recover. At the other end, the Warriors were relying solely on Maninder, whose success wasn't enough. A third ALL-OUT duly arrived for the Paltan as they consolidated their lead to 33-14.

Thereafter, Puneri Paltan continued to be in control of the match and Shinde's SUPER RAID, which caught out D Balaji, Surender Nada, Vaibhav Garje and Manoj Gowda, in the final minutes, sealed the deal for the Pune side.

PKL 9 Day 33 Match 2: Haryana Steelers vs Gujarat Giants

Haryana Steelers returned to winning ways in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 as they defeated Gujarat Giants 33-32 in a thrilling encounter at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune on Monday. Manjeet was the star performer of the night for the Haryana side as he earned 14 points in the match to set up the win for his team. 

Chandran Ranjit began the match with a quick raid point for Gujarat Giants. Manjeet earned a SUPER RAID straightaway to give Haryana Steelers an early lead. The Giants tried to reduce the gap through a SUPER TACKLE on Manjeet by Rinku Narwal. But minutes later, the Steelers inflicted an ALL-OUT on Gujarat to take a big lead.

Rakesh and Ranjit began Giants' fightback as they earned two SUPER RAIDS, to reduce the gap between the two sides. But Manjeet earned his second SUPER RAID of the game to ensure the Steelers maintained their control of the match. Manjeet earned another quick raid point in the dying minutes of the first half to complete his SUPER 10 as the Steelers went into halftime with a 21-16 lead.

The second half started with Manjeet earning another raid point to ensure Haryana stayed in control of the match. But Mahendra Rajput earned a SUPER RAID, while Rinku caught Manjeet as Giants showcased their intent to fight till the final whistle. With Rakesh earning a SUPER RAID, Giants inflicted an ALL OUT on the opposition as the match shifted gears.

Haryana regained their lead with Mahendra being tackled down by Jaideep. But Kapil took down Manjeet on the other end to ensure the scoreline remains level. With five minutes left on the clock, both teams had everything to play for as they remained tied on points. Manjeet earned a running hand touch on Ranjit to get the lead back for Steelers.

In the final minute, Jaideep earned a tackle point on Mahendra to help Haryana stay ahead in the match. The Steelers played their cards perfectly in the final seconds of the game and eventually clinched a thrilling win.

PKL 9 Day 33 Award Winners of the Night:

Match 1: Bengal Warriors vs Puneri Paltan

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Akash Shinde (Puneri Paltan)

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

Moment of the Match - Akash Shinde (Puneri Paltan)

Match 2: Gujarat Giants vs Haryana Steelers

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Manjeet (Haryana Steelers)

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

Moment of the Match - Mohit (Haryana Steelers)