PKL 12: Aslam Inamdar credits Ajay Thakur for Puneri Paltan's dominating performance against UP Yoddhas

Puneri Paltan are the new table-toppers at the end of Day 13 of PKL 12.

Puneri Paltan bounced back to winning ways after a couple of defeats and now find themselves back at the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) points table.

Ajay Thakur’s side put together an all-round performance on the mat and took down the UP Yoddhas in an exciting encounter. Pankaj Mohite and Aditya Shinde teamed up really well to guide Puneri Paltan to an eleven-point win over Yoddhas.

After the game, representatives from both teams addressed the media.

UP Yoddhas 

Thoughts on the game

UP Yoddhas’ assistant coach Upendra Malik shared his thoughts on the game. He said, “In the first half, when Pankaj Mohite took four points, there was pressure on the team for a moment, but we made a comeback. Our defense gave away easy points to Puneri Paltan. I believe that Puneri’s raiders are good, but taking them so easily and the defenders not being able to do anything, this was the biggest mistake.”

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Gagan Gowda’s performance

Upendra Malik also spoke about Gagan Gowda’s performance and said, “Gagan’s height is good. He does good bonuses, and he also does well in multi-point raids. We keep him free, but along with Gagan, other raiders should also get points at the same time. If other raiders also score two to three points at a time, then that is good for us, and along with that, there should be support from defence as well.”

Puneri Paltan 

Thoughts on the game

Puneri Paltan head coach Ajay Thakur also opened up about his thoughts on the game and said, “I am happy. They are a good team. We should be thankful that after half-time we took a huge lead. None of their raiders is less than 6’2, so it is tough to catch these raiders. I felt that this match would be tough throughout, but it was a good performance.

The biggest plus point is this: along with the offense, the defense also played well today. Pankaj’s raid was of four points, and then Aditya made one raid and scored five points. It becomes difficult to cover such a lead against such a team because if the same had happened to us, then it would have become difficult for us to recover these things.”

Team’s performance

Aslam spoke about his side’s performance and said, “I think that it is a team game and we share a family bond. The players fought together like a family. I specifically told my players that the more we think positively, the more we will play like champions.”

“I think if you think even 1% out of 100% about the opponent team, then you may lose by even 1% on the mat. Today, I think every player has listened to the same and played like a champion. No matter how strong the opponent is, we have to fight like champions.”

Ajay Thakur’s role

Aslam Inamdar shared an insight about Ajay Thakur’s role as a head coach and said, “After the loss against Patna Pirates, our mindset got completely spoiled. We went to the room, and we did not even see Coach Sahab’s missed calls. After four or five calls from Coach Sahab, I picked up the phone, and he said that he would not eat anything without us.”

“I told Pankaj that this is how a coach should be, and why would we not get so motivated? The performance that you are seeing today is the result of that thing only. I believe that if a coach understands the mindset, body language, and thinking of the players, then that team will perform better.”

“I would like to say thank you to Coach Sahab. He is a senior player. He is a Padmashri awardee. My bond with him has become so strong that sometimes I think that we are both childhood friends. So, this will help us in the future, and we will try to do well for Puneri Paltan.”

Thoughts on Telugu Titans

Ajay Thakur told the media about his feelings ahead of the next game against the Telugu Titans and said, “Their team is good. There is no doubt in this. All the tough teams here, and the victory of that day will depend on what mindset a team brings on match day. We will make full preparations to play with them and prepare in every small way, even today, I feel that if there have been any shortcomings, we will try to rectify that as well, then we will do well.”

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