PKL 8: Patna crush Pune, Haryana register first win of season

All eyes were on Pune’s Rahul Chaudhari.

Three-time champions Patna Pirates beat Puneri Paltan 38-26 in Match 17 of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 8 at The Sheraton Grand, Whitefield, Bengaluru. Sachin scored a Super 10 (10 points) and was ably supported by Patna’s defensive trio of Sunil (4 points), Mohammadreza Chiyaneh (3 points) and Sajin C (3 points). The lack of a quality raider despite promising performances from youngsters will be a cause of concern for the Puneri Paltan who succumbed second loss in three matches.

All eyes were once again on Pune’s Rahul Chaudhari but the showman, despite starting the PKL match, was substituted for young Mohit Goyat by coach Anup Kumar in the first half. The trio of raiders including Aslam Inamdar and Pankaj Mohite caused problems for the Patna defence while at the other end Prashant Kumar Rai and Sachin were equally effective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmlBIt5lxsE

Patna were facing the risk of an ALL OUT in this PKL match with six minutes left to halftime, but their defender Sajin C completed a Super Tackle to turn the momentum. The three-time champions got lucky later when Monu Goyat entered the lobby without contact, in a do-or-die raid only to be followed by three Pune defenders who had been deceived by his actions.

The first half of this PKL match ended 14-14 with Pune having just two men on the mat. Pune coach Anup Kumar clearly expected from his set of raiders and brought in Shubham Shelke for Pankaj Mohite in the second half. But Patna kept fighting back, thanks to the largely confident tackles from the likes of Mohammadreza Chiyaneh and Sajin.

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With 10 minutes remaining, Patna had a 4-point lead and that was extended as Pune’s plan to play on the Do-or-Die raid backfired. Sachin scored two points in the crucial raid for Patna to inspire another ALL OUT in the 13th minute and open a 10-point lead.

Kabaddi is a game of momentum and the lead gave Patna the confidence to enjoy their time on the mat. Sunil and Vishal Bharadwaj picked up yellow cards in the final minutes as the match became intense. But Patna ensured there was no late comeback by Pune to clinch an important win.

Haryana register first win of the season

Haryana Steelers recorded their first victory in PKL Season 8 after defeating Telugu Titans 39-37 in Bengaluru. The Steelers attained the lead early on in the match and ensured that they held on to their lead through the most part of the game. Meetu emerged as the best player for the Haryana Steelers in this match with 12 raid points.

Haryana Steelers pulled off a fantastic tackle and led at 5-3 in the fourth minute of the match. However, the Titans fought back and picked up two points in quick succession. Moments later, the Titans carried out a tackle and took the lead at 6-5. But, the Steelers pulled off a fantastic Super Tackle and regained the lead. The Haryana side carried out an All Out in the 13th minute and took a five-point lead at 16-11. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvUMY8Tu-FM

Rohit Gulia effected a brilliant raid in the 16th minute as the Steelers led at 20-13. The Haryana team continued to put pressure on their opponents and went into the break leading at 23-19.

Meetu carried out a brilliant raid in the opening minutes of the second half as the Steelers led by 7 points at 27-20. Moments later, the Haryana side effected an All-Out and extended their lead further. The Titans tried to fight back with a Super Raid in the 28th minute, however, the Steelers carried out a tackle moments later and kept forging ahead. 

Meetu pulled off another brilliant raid in the 31st minute as the Steelers took a 10-point lead at 36-26. The Haryana side rode on the momentum and ensured that they stayed in the lead until the last minute of the match.

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