Gujarat Giants snapped Dabang Delhi KC’s winning run as they put up a formidable performance to claim a 31-26 victory as Jaipur Pink Panthers beat the Haryana Steelers 37-27 to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches in the Pro Kabaddi League match at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday.
In a game defined by brilliant defending, the Jaipur Pink Panthers of Ankush (5 points), Sunil Kumar (4 points) and Reza Mirbagheri (4 points) were the real difference between the two teams. The Jaipur Pink Panthers remained unbeaten in their home leg.
Deepak Singh was the Gujarat Giants’ best player as he finished with a High 5, while Dabang Delhi KC captain Ashu Malik claimed yet another Super 10.
Dabang Delhi KC’s winning run stalled
Dabang Delhi KC sped away to a 4-1 lead in no time, but some resolute defending from Gujarat Giants saw them fight their way back into the game and a superb multi-point raid from Parteek Dahiya led to the first ALL OUT in the 8th minute. From trailing by 3 points, the Gujarat side were now in the lead at 10-4.
Giants’ right cover Deepak gave a really good account of himself with a few clutch tackles, while Sonu Jaglan came off the bench to inflict further damage on Dabang Delhi KC. The momentum swiftly swung in the favour with the men in orange as they led 19-12 at the break.
Dabang Delhi KC bounced back well in the second half as raids from their skipper Ashu Malik saw them gain four successive points and reduce the Giants to 2 men. The team from Delhi went on to reduce their deficit to a mere 2 points at 19-21, but the Gujarat Giants’ defensive solidity saw them through. Jitendra and Deepak came up with SUPER TACKLES as Ram Mehar Singh’s team led 27-21 with 5 minutes to go.
Ashu worked tirelessly and once again had the opposition down to just 2 men, but a last-gasp multi-point raid from Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh sealed the deal as Gujarat Giants picked up their 8th win of the season.
Jaipur Pink Panthers extend unbeaten streak to 10 matches
Through the season, Jaipur Pink Panthers and Haryana Steelers had built their results on the backbone of a strong defence, and in the early part of the game they leaned upon it, to keep the board ticking. Neither was too keen to gain their points on the raid, in the first half both secured a mere 5 points each in attack. In contrast, their defense, led by Ankush, won them 16 points.
The Jaipur Pink Panthers took charge in the later part of the first half, and inflicted the first ALL OUT of the game with three minutes left to take a 14-8 lead. The Steelers cut that lead back a bit, soon after, thanks to Naveen Kundu’s excellent defending to go into the break down by a mere four points.
Both teams continued to rely on the DO OR DIE raid, trusting their defence to get the points. Deshwal’s ability to get touch points at crucial moments put the Steelers in trouble and soon enough the Jaipur Pink Panthers inflicted a second ALL OUT to take a massive 27-16 lead.
Deshwal’s resurgence continued into the second half and with it, the Jaipur Pink Panthers stretched their lead further. All the while their defence remained tight, and Ankush logged his fifth tackle point with two minutes left to play. The Jaipur Pink Panthers rounded their performance with a massive 10 points win to stay atop the table.
Comments
0 comment