PKL 12: Top five best moments from Day 9 matches

Puneri Paltan remains in first place at the end of Day 9 of PKL 12.

Day 9 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) kicked off with a clash between the Bengaluru Bulls and Patna Pirates, with both teams searching for their first win of the season. Bulls made a bold move by benching their main raider and previous match captain, Akash Shinde, a decision that many doubted.

However, Bengaluru Bulls’ young guns proved the critics wrong, as Alireza and Ashish stepped up to guide the team to their first victory of the season. On the other hand, Patna suffered their third consecutive loss.

The second match began with the Tamil Thalaivas putting the Gujarat Giants under immense pressure, reducing them to just two players on the mat. However, what followed was a stunning display of performance as Nitin Panwar pulled off three super tackles.

The Giants, as a unit, fought hard to avoid an all-out and ultimately clinched their first win of the season, silencing their critics in style.

The day saw two teams register their first wins of the season, along with several standout performances worth appreciating. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five moments from Day 9 of PKL 12:

5. Ayan’s Super 10

Ayan started strong, scoring two back-to-back multi-point raids and giving the Bengaluru Bulls an early all-out. However, he was kept quiet by the Bulls’ defense in the second half and spent much of the time on the bench, which resulted in Patna’s loss.

Despite the defeat, he managed to score his first Super 10 of the season, which was probably the only positive thing for Patna Pirates today.

The team will expect more responsibility from him in the upcoming matches, especially when Maninder Singh is not in his old form and the team is struggling to find rhythm.

4. Nitesh’s High 5

It was overall a bad day for the Tamil Thalaivas. Their raiders were kept quiet by the Gujarat defense, while their defenders conceded points at crucial moments.

However, Nitesh once again delivered a standout performance, scoring his first High 5 of the season and doing everything he could to keep the Thalaivas in the game. Sadly, his efforts weren’t enough to secure a win, as the Thalaivas suffered a defeat at the hands of the Giants.

3. Shridhar Kadam’s all-around performance

Shridhar Kadam was all over the Thalaivas in the second half, first preventing an all-out and then scoring a crucial super tackle. Coming on as a substitute, he delivered an impressive all-round performance, scoring 6 points, 3 in raid and 3 in defense, helping the Giants secure their first win of the season.

Remarkably, this was only his second match in the PKL, and he proved to be a true “Super Sub,” a role that could be a big asset for the team in the upcoming matches.

2. Alireza’s Super 10

Patna Pirates were troubled by Ali Samadi in their previous game, and today, another Iranian raider caused them trouble, Alireza Mirzaian. He scored his second Super 10 of the season, leading the Bulls’ raiding unit in the absence of Akash Shinde.

Alireza received solid support from another young talent, Ashish Malik, but it was his ability to deliver in do-or-die raids that made the difference. His crucial points helped the Bulls maintain a good lead, which they sustained till the end and registered their first win in PKL 12.

1. Nitin Panwar’s 8 tackle points

When the Tamil Thalaivas pushed the Gujarat Giants to the brink of an all-out, Nitin Panwar came in clutch, delivering back-to-back super tackles while keeping star raiders Arjun and Pawan quiet. He registered a High 5 within the first 10 minutes of the game, putting the Thalaivas on the back foot.

He finished with 8 tackle points, including 3 massive super tackles. His brilliant defensive display was the biggest reason the Giants secured their first win of the season.

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