PKL 11: Jaipur Pink Panthers Seal Playoff Berth With Win Over Bengal Warriors, Telugu Titans Stun Puneri Paltan – News18

Last Updated:December 20, 2024, 23:27 IST

The Pink Panthers became the fifth team to progress to the Playoffs as they got the better of the Warriors in a 31-28 win, while the Titans posted a 48-36 triumph over the Paltan.

The Jaipur Pink Panthers fought hard and came back from behind to defeat the Bengal Warriors, in a Season 11 match of the Pro Kabaddi League and confirmed qualification for the Playoffs in the Badminton Hall of the Balewadi Sports Complex on Friday.

The Jaipur Pink Panthers, who are the fifth team to progress to the Playoffs, won by a scoreline of 31-28.

For Jaipur Pink Panthers, Arjun Deshwal got nine points while Abhijeet Malik added seven and Reza Mirbagheri registered a High-5. The win for the Jaipur Pink Panthers also means that the Puneri Paltan are out of the race for a Playoff berth.

The Bengal Warriors came out of the blocks quicker than their opponents, as they moved into a slender lead within the first few minutes. The Jaipur Pink Panthers, who had the qualification for the PKL Playoffs in their mind, though stayed within touching distance and were being cautious in their approach. For the Bengal Warriors, it was Arjun Rathi who was leading the way in attack whilst the defenders were holding fort as well.

As the half wore on, the Bengal Warriors were building on their lead and had moved into a 6-point lead within the first 9 minutes. But in the next couple of minutes, Abhijeet Malik helped bring the deficit down to a 2-point one. The Jaipur Pink Panthers’ defence weren’t able to contain Pranay Rane and Arjun Rathi.

But the Bengal Warriors’ defence were having a good day, and they inflicted an All Out and stretched the lead to a seven-point one. Arjun Rathi continued the good work and at the break, the Bengal Warriors led 19-9.

The Jaipur Pink Panthers began the second half with a couple of Super Tackles but it was the Bengal Warriors, who were still in the box seat. By the 26th minute, Arjun Deshwal had helped cut the deficit down to six points, and the Jaipur Pink Panthers were clawing their way back into the game.

The Season 9 champions’ defenders, Reza Mirbagheri and Ankush Rathee, had suddenly flicked a switch, whilst Arjun Deshwal was doing what he does best. At the half-hour mark, the Bengal Warriors led by 3 points, and the momentum was starting to go the other way.

With just less than eight minutes to go, the Jaipur Pink Panthers inflicted an All Out on their opponents and got their noses out in front. Both teams were now throwing the kitchen sink at each other in the final phase of play. Pranay Rane’s two-point raid brought Bengal Warriorz back to level terms with their opponent, and it was 27 points for both sides, with three minutes to go.

The Jaipur Pink Panthers though roared back and raced into a three-point lead courtesy of some fantastic defending. Eventually, the Jaipur Pink Panthers held their nerve in the final minutes and came away with a close but huge win.

Telugu Titans Down Puneri Paltan

Pawan Sehrawat led the charge as the Telugu Titans had an excellent outing on the mat, storming past the Puneri Paltan 48-36 to stay alive in the race for the final Playoff berth.

The Telugu Titans won the crucial match with Pawan Sehrawat scoring 15 points, Ashish Narwal adding 11 and Ankit getting his High-5 as well.

Pawan Sehrawat looked to give his side a quick start, as the Telugu Titans picked up an early two-point lead. The Puneri Paltan were playing catch up, and it was their defence who were leading the charge. Along expected lines, Sehrawat was scoring at a fast pace which kept the Telugu Titans, who had to win, in the lead. In the other corner, Aryavardhan Navale and Aman were leading the charge for the Puneri Paltan.

Young Aryavardhan Navale was matching Pawan Sehrawat raid for raid, in what was turning out to be a close match. The Telugu Titans though were doing just about enough to keep the Season 10 champions at bay, especially with Sehrawat leading the way. The Telugu Titans then landed an All Out, and now led by 8 points, with five minutes to go. A couple of minutes later, Sehrawat completed his eighth Super 10 of the season, and his side were starting to dominate proceedings. At halftime, the Telugu Titans were leading 25-16.

Puneri Paltan’s Aryavardhan Navale kicked off the second half with a five-point raid, landed the All Out on the Telugu Titans, and reduced the deficit to 3 points. The Puneri Paltan had cranked up the intensity and were asking questions of their opponents. But the Telugu Titans responded well and held onto a five-point lead at the half-hour mark. The contest was on a knife-edge, with both sides going to the kill.

The Telugu Titans continued to build from there, and then they scored an All Out, which made it an 11-point lead. The Puneri Paltan’s Aman then registered his High-5, in the process sending Pawan to the bench. But it was too little too late for the Puneri Paltan, as the Telugu Titans romped over the line, picking up a handsome win.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – IANS)