PKL 11: Puneri Paltan coach reveals reason behind team's poor performance

Puneri Paltan are winless in their last four PKL 11 matches.

The fifth tie of Pro Kabaddi League 11 (PKL 11) unfolded as Puneri Paltan and UP Yoddhas battled to a 29-29 stalemate at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Monday. Bhavani Rajput’s Super 10 for UP Yoddhas and Pankaj Mohite’s nine points for Puneri Paltan showed a thrilling contest.

Puneri coach and captain Pankaj Mohite addressed the media following their third tie match, while Yoddhas’ Coach shared his views after the PKL 11 match.

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On Aslam Inamdar’s absence and what is going wrong

The defending champions, Puneri Paltan, started strongly in PKL 11 with Pankaj Mohite registering the first tackle, giving them a 4-0 lead within three minutes. UP Yoddhas responded with Ashu Singh’s Super Tackle, quickly leveling the score at 5-5. Despite Puneri Paltan taking a narrow lead, Sumit’s Super Tackle brought UP Yoddhas back. The momentum swung firmly to the Yoddhas as they inflicted an ALL OUT, creating a six-point gap.

“So we don’t have our captain Aslam anymore because of the injury and that has affected us. Now, we are trying to test and find who can replace him or fill in for him, Ajith, or Mohit, so the team is not set yet. We still have a few matches, so we have to see who performs better for us, ” said Puneri Paltan’s coach.

“Mohit is very good player, he has played last season till the final for the Haryana Steelers, so he has got some experience as well, it will be good for us if he gives good performances, ” he added.

In typical PKL 11 fashion, Puneri Paltan fought back. V Ajith Kumar’s two-point raid closed the first half at 16-14, with UP Yoddhas maintaining a slim lead. The second half saw Bhavani Rajput shine with a crucial Do-or-Die Raid, while Pankaj Mohite kept Puneri Paltan in contention. Aryavardhan Navale equalized at 20-20, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

On Surender Gill’s absence from consecutive PKL 11 matches

However, this was the third consecutive match UP Yoddhas were without Captain Sureneder Gill.

Elaborating on that coach revealed, ” Surender is not injured, we have not played him for tactical reasons. This team is doing very well, they won the last match, they drew this one. If we need him in the upcoming match then we will play him”.

Gaurav Khatri’s decisive tackle helped Puneri Paltan inflict an ALL OUT, regaining a five-point lead. Yet, Bhavani Rajput’s relentless effort, including a two-point raid and completing his Super 10, ensured UP Yoddhas clawed back to secure the tie. The draw marked Puneri Paltan’s second in three matches and the fifth stalemate of PKL 11.

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