The 15th of November witnessed two giants of the Pro Kabaddi League face off at the SVP stadium in Mumbai as defending champions Patna Pirates took on the fierce Dabang Delhi. Both teams were in good form, fresh off two game win streaks and the clash between them was nothing short of a nail-biting contest.
While the match started with Dabang Delhi claiming the first point and an initial advantage, the focus soon shifted to Pardeep Narwal and his team. Manjeet showed remarkable drive with his successful Toofani Raid, the first of the evening. The promising raider lived up to his potential and put the Pirates comfortably ahead with a score of 11-7, shifting the odds in their favor. Incidentally, this took his tally to 50 raid points this season, an incredible feat for the young athlete.
The game took on another dimension with the scores set at 13-10 in the Pirates’ favor with Delhi now struggling to get past the opposition. Delhi Raider Praveen Kumar tasted the mat after a brutal assault by Patna defender Jaideep. He failed to capitalize on the resultant bonus attempt, further strengthening Patna’s position in the game. Pardeep Narwal added two super raids of his own, adding to and sustaining Patna’s advantage, with a slender half-time lead of 18-17.
Delhi eventually roused from their slumber, unleashing attack after attack claiming an advantage over the Pirates. Their vigorous resolve to catch up on the scoreboard was commendable, with even Pardeep’s excellent Super10 proving ineffective in leveling the game.
However, soon after the tides turned again, and Delhi were thrown into chaos in the final 5 minutes of the game. The team, perhaps feeling the absence of their captain, couldn’t revive. Naveen was tackled, driving Delhi to an all-out attack after which Patna took a 4 point lead. With the score set at 38-34 in the Pirates’ favor, Manjeet had the opportunity to ease the pressure and seal the win. His last raid was unsuccessful, prompting a tense atmosphere in the stadium. Patna conceded one final point, eventually winning the match 38-35. The intensity and unpredictable nature of the match captured the audience’s attention until the final whistle.
The competitiveness in the league seems to be rising with every match played, with teams trying to play catch up to Patna Pirates, who currently stand second in the Zone B rankings. Keep coming back for more!
