PKL 9: Bharat, Arjun Deshwal star as Bengaluru Bulls, Jaipur Pink Panthers extend winning run

Siddharth Desai fought a lone fight for Telugu Titans yet again.

PKL 9 Day 34 Match 1: Jaipur Pink Panthers 32-22 U Mumba

The Jaipur Pink Panthers put up an exceptional performance to defeat U Mumba 32-22 in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune on Tuesday. Arjun Deshwal emerged as the star for the Jaipur side yet again as he scored 13 points in the match.

The Jaipur Pink Panthers inflicted an ALL-OUT in the fifth minute and took a massive lead at 9-2. Thereafter, Arjun Deshwal pulled off a SUPER RAID, catching out Mohit, Shivansh Thakur and Harendra Kumar as the Pink Panthers continued to have the momentum at 14-6 in the 11th minute.

Jaipur defenders Reza Mirbagheri and Abhishek KS also joined the party as their side continued to forge ahead. The Mumbai side pulled off a SUPER TACKLE just before half-time, but the Panthers held the lead at 19-11.

U Mumba played with more determination in the second half. Harendra Kumar and Kiran Magar picked up tackle points and reduced the gap between the two sides. The Mumbai side tackled Rahul Chaudhari in the 32nd minute and got even closer to Jaipur's score at 19-23.

However, the Panthers tackled Ashish in the 35th minute and stayed in the lead at 25-20. The Jaipur side rode on the momentum and inflicted an ALL-OUT in the final minute of the match to take a massive lead at 31-20. Thereafter, the Panthers played their cards to perfection and eventually closed out a comprehensive victory.

PKL 9 Day 34 Match 2: Telugu Titans 38-49 Bengaluru Bulls

The Bengaluru Bulls started the evening slowly, but as the game progressed, they outplayed the Telugu Titans, in defence and attack, registering a comprehensive win on the night. For the Bulls, it was Bharat and Neeraj Narwal who starred, leading their side to a 49-38 win.

While Neeraj Narwal was looking to set the Bulls on their way, it was the Bengaluru side’s arch-rival Siddharth Desai, who got the Titans off to a fine start. Desai registered the first five points for his side, before Surjeet Singh became the second player for the Titans to get on the score sheet.

The Titans had the edge in the early exchanges. However, the Bulls fought back with Bharat and Vikash Kandola leading the charge, edging ahead with a slender lead at the ten-minute mark.

The two sets of raiders were on fire, making life difficult for the defenders, keeping the contest on a knife-edge. Siddharth got his Super 10 before the first half ended while it was Bharat keeping the Bulls in touching distance. The half ended with the Titans leading by 1 point, even as the Bulls were starting to up the ante.

After a slow start, the Bulls defence tackled Monu Goyat, before Vikash Kandola was tackled by the Titans defenders in emphatic style. However, Bharat got to his Super 10 thereafter as the Bulls edged ahead with an ALL OUT. The Bengaluru side then thwarted the ace raider Desai and with just over 10 minutes to go, were ahead by 9 points.

The Bulls continued to dominate as the clock ticked on, even as the Titans fought hard, and kept inching ahead. The Bulls kept raging on and eventually walked off the mat as winners of the match.

PKL 9 Day 34 Award Winners of the Night:

Match 1: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs U Mumba

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Arjun Deshwal (Jaipur Pink Panthers)Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Sahul Kumar (Jaipur Pink Panthers)Moment of the Match - Arjun Deshwal (Jaipur Pink Panthers)

Match 2: Telugu Titans vs Bengaluru Bulls

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Bharat (Bengaluru Bulls)Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Neeraj Narwal (Bengaluru Bulls)Moment of the Match - Aman (Bengaluru Bulls)