PKL 12: Nitin Kumar shines as Jaipur Pink Panthers beat Gujarat Giants in Golden Raid

Jaipur Pink Panthers won their second match of PKL 12.

It was vindication for Nitin Kumar, whose 15 points sealed the match for Jaipur Pink Panthers in a tie-breaker against Gujarat Giants in match 24 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) on Tuesday. The two teams were tied at 30-30 before the two-time champions registered a memorable win in a game that could have gone either way.

At the start, Rakesh Sungroya wasted no time in imposing himself on the contest, opening the scoring for Gujarat Giants with a two-point raid. Jaipur Pink Panthers hit back through Ali Samadi and a tackle from Deepanshu Khatri, as the two teams went toe-to-toe in the early exchanges, with the score locked at 6-6.

Rakesh continued his fine form, pulling off a Super Raid to give Gujarat Giants a 9-7 lead after the opening quarter. But just as the Giants looked to be pulling away, Nitin Kumar struck back for Jaipur Pink Panthers with a Super Raid of his own to level the scores at 11-11.

The two-time champions then edged ahead, courtesy of Nitin Kumar’s clinical attacking display, as they built a three-point cushion. However, the pendulum swung once again when Gujarat Giants responded with a Super Tackle from Nitin Panwar, reclaiming a slender advantage at 16-15 going into half-time.

Gujarat Giants carried their momentum into the second half, with Aryavardhan Navale scoring on a raid and Nitin Panwar following up with a tackle. Deepanshu responded for the Pink Panthers by bringing down Rakesh, keeping his side within touching distance.

The two-time champions then seized the initiative after a yellow card to Himanshu Jaglan handed them a crucial opening. The Pink Panthers capitalised with an ALL OUT on the Giants to open up a four-point lead. Heading into the final quarter, Nitin Kumar secured his Super 10 to ensure the Panthers stayed in control at 25-21.

But the Giants had saved their best for last. Nitin Panwar and Aryavardhan chipped away at the deficit before Rakesh levelled the scores at 25-25 with under five minutes remaining. Shadloui then made his mark, earning his first point of the night with a tackle on Sahil as the Giants began to tilt the momentum their way.

Rakesh capped off his Super 10 with a decisive two-point raid that also inflicted an ALL OUT, putting the Giants four points ahead. However, Nitin Kumar struck back once more, narrowing the gap to a single point heading into the final raid. That set up a nail-biting finish and forced a tie-breaker — the fifth of the season.

The two teams traded blows in the tie-breaker before Shadloui gave Gujarat Giants the edge with a crucial tackle on Deepanshu. But Aryan Kumar swung the momentum back with a decisive late tackle, forcing a Golden Raid and keeping the Pink Panthers alive. In the end, it was vindication for Nitin Kumar, who held his nerve to seal a scintillating win for the two-time champions.

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