PKL 9: Pardeep Narwal runs riot for UP Yoddhas, Tamil Thalaivas and Patna Pirates played out tie

Match 82: Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas

The Patna Pirates and Tamil Thalaivas played out a thrilling contest at the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9, but both sides were happy to settle for a 33-33 tie in the end at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune on Wednesday. While raider Narender emerged as the best player for the Thalaivas with 16 points, raider Sachin notched 14 points for the Pirates.

The two sides played out a neck and neck contest and were locked at 5-5 in the 5th minute. However, the Thalaivas tackled Sachin, soon after, and inched ahead at 7-5. But Pirates' all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh also showcased top form and helped his side level the scores at 7-7. Thereafter, Chiyaneh tackled Ajinkya Pawar and Narender in quick succession as the Pirates took the lead at 10-8 in the 12th minute. However, Ajinkya Pawar got on a roll and picked up a flurry of raid points to help the Thalaivas put their noses in front at 13-12 in the 18th minute. But Pirates' Sachin pulled the momentum towards his side with a few raid points as the Patna side inflicted an ALL OUT at the stroke of half-time to take a massive lead at 20-14.

Narender pulled back the momentum for Tamil Thalaivas

Narender effected a couple of raid points in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Pirates still held the lead at 23-17 in the 26th minute. However, Narender continued to shine as he caught out Neeraj Kumar and Chiyaneh to help the Thalaivas reach within touching distance of Pirates' score at 22-25. But Sachin caught Himanshu Singh soon after to ensure that the Pirates continued to have a stronghold of the match at 27-22 in the 30th minute.

However, the Thalaivas kept fighting and eventually carried out an ALL OUT to level the scores at 30-30 in the 37th minute. However, Rohit Gulia and Sachin effected raids to help the Pirates inch ahead yet again at 33-31. But moments later, the side from Tamil Nadu tackled Gulia and levelled the scores at 33-33. Thereafter, both sides played cautiously and were happy to settle for a tie in the match 82 of PKL 9.

Match 83: UP Yoddhas vs Dabang Delhi

The U.P. Yoddhas’ ace Pardeep Narwal pulled out all the stops for the fans in the last match of the Pune leg of PKL 9 at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi on Wednesday. Pardeep Narwal, scored a whopping 22 points to help the U.P. Yoddhas defeat Dabang Delhi K.C. 50-31 on the night.

Pardeep Narwal was off the mark with a flyer for the Yoddhas and Naveen Kumar picked up Delhi’s first points. However, the early exchanges were keenly contested, with neither team conceding space, and the defences holding strong. However the Yoddhas inched ahead midway through the first half.  

Pardeep then powered his way through the Delhi defense, with a SUPER RAID, as the Yoddhas extended their lead to five points. Pardeep brought out his best moves soon after for the Pune crowd, inflicting an ALL OUT, getting to his Super 10 within the first 15 minutes of the game. After that, Rohit Tomar followed in Pardeep’s footsteps for a four-point raid, as UP took control and finished the half with a lead of 15 points, as the score read 29-14.   

The Pardeep Narwal Show

Pardeep continued in his merry ways in the early exchanges of the second half, piling on the pressure on the defending champions. The Yoddhas kept the Delhi side and Naveen quiet in the first part of the second phase, as they ran down the clock without too many concerns.  

With just over 10 minutes to go, the Yoddhas defenders landed an ALL OUT on Delhi, as the lead continued to stretch. Pardeep meanwhile, had crossed the 20-point mark and even though Vijay Malik had a Super 10 of his own for Delhi, the spotlight was firmly on one player during the course of the game.  

Eventually, the U.P. Yoddhas hit the half-century mark and eventually closed out a comprehensive victory in the match 83 of PKL 9.

Award Winners of the Night:

Match 1: Patna Pirates vs Tamil Thalaivas

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Narender (Tamil Thalaivas)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - AjinkyaPawar (Tamil Thalaivas)

Moment of the Match - Monu (Patna Pirates)

Match 2: Dabang Delhi K.C. vs U.P. Yoddhas

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Pardeep Narwal (U.P. Yoddhas)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Pardeep Narwal (U.P. Yoddhas) 

Moment of the Match - Pardeep Narwal (U.P. Yoddhas)