The Patna Pirates showed fight and flashes of brilliance, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Haryana Steelers, who secured a 43–32 win at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday night. The game carried extra weight, being a repeat of last season’s final, and both sides came out with intent. While Haryana had the edge, the Patna Pirates once again proved they are never out of a contest, no matter the scoreline.
Steelers Take Early Control
The opening half was all about the Steelers’ quick start. Their raiders and defenders combined to build an early cushion, catching the Patna Pirates slightly off guard. Shivam Patare looked in fine touch from the beginning, striking with back-to-back raids that unsettled the Patna defence. Within minutes, the Patna Pirates were on the back foot and forced to dig deep.
Patna Pirates Fight Back Through Maninder and Milan
Maninder Singh, however, kept Patna’s hopes alive. His clever raids, marked by patience and timing, ensured the scoreboard never went completely quiet for the Patna Pirates. Slowly, Haryana’s strong defensive wall began to show cracks.
The turning point of the first half came through Milan Dahiya. With the Patna Pirates trailing, Milan produced a stunning six-point raid that not only brought the crowd to its feet but also completed a massive ALL OUT. His aggression and sharpness completely shifted the mood of the match, giving the Patna Pirates the momentum they had been searching for. From being seven points behind, the Patna Pirates clawed their way back to trail by just three at halftime, 21–18.
Second Half Pressure
The second half began with the Patna Pirates pushing hard for control. Ayan and Sudhakar M tried to chip away at the Steelers’ defence with quick raids, while Navdeep and Ankit stood firm at the back. For a while, it looked like the comeback was on. But Haryana held their ground, with Jaideep and Rahul producing big tackles at crucial moments to keep the Patna Pirates from turning the tide fully.
Defining Moment
Even as Patna fought, Shivam Patare continued to deliver for Haryana. His raids, supported by Vinay’s timely contributions, kept the Steelers comfortably ahead. The decisive blow came with just over seven minutes left, when Hardeep’s fierce tackle inflicted a crucial ALL OUT on the Pirates. That opened up a double-digit lead and sealed the contest.
Top Performers for Patna Pirates
Top Defender : Navdeep
Top Raider : Ayan
Final Whistle
In the end, the Steelers played smartly to maintain their advantage and walked away 43–32 winners. For the Patna Pirates, the night may not have ended in victory, but their fightback in the first half and Milan’s incredible six-point raid stood out as highlights. The team showed glimpses of their champion spirit, and with a few more consistent finishes, they’ll be back stronger in the matches to come.
With plenty of matches still ahead, the Patna Pirates will look to bounce back stronger in the coming games.