The Patna Pirates fought hard but couldn’t overcome Gujarat Giants, losing 32-40 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. Gujarat Giants kept their hopes alive for a top-eight spot, registering their third win in four matches, thanks to Mohammadreza Shadloui’s all-round performance and Himanshu Singh’s Super 10. Despite a valiant effort, Mandeep Kumar’s Super 10 for the Patna Pirates went in vain.
Bright Start for Both Teams
In a surprising move, Mohammadreza Shadloui scored the first point of the night with the opening raid. Ayan Lohchab quickly responded for the Patna Pirates, before Rakesh Sungroya’s two-point raid gave Gujarat Giants an early lead. Ankit Jaglan levelled the score, and the Patna Pirates went on to take a two-point lead with contributions from Mandeep Kumar and Navdeep.
Gujarat Giants bounced back strongly, with Lucky Sharma recording the first Super Tackle of the match. Shadloui’s tackle and Rakesh’s two-point raid gave Gujarat Giants a 10-5 lead. Mandeep Kumar struck back with a Super Raid for the Patna Pirates, but Lucky Sharma and Himanshu Singh ensured Gujarat Giants held a 12-8 advantage after ten minutes.
First Half: Giants Pull Ahead
Himanshu Singh and Mandeep Kumar exchanged raids in the second quarter. A crucial tackle from Nitin Panwar helped Gujarat Giants inflict the first ALL OUT of the game, taking a five-point lead at 18-13. Despite Mandeep Kumar completing his Super 10 for the Patna Pirates, Gujarat Giants maintained a strong 23-17 lead at halftime.
Second Half: Pirates Fight Back
The Patna Pirates started the second half strongly, with Ayan Lohchab and Ankit Jaglan helping reduce the deficit to three points. Himanshu Singh kept Gujarat Giants ahead, regaining a six-point lead as both teams traded points in a tight contest.
With under ten minutes remaining, the Patna Pirates stayed within striking distance, closing the gap to 27-25. Gujarat Giants then opened up a six-point lead thanks to a Super Tackle from Nitin Panwar and tackles from Mohammadreza Shadloui. Himanshu Singh completed his Super 10, keeping Gujarat Giants in control.
Final Moments: Giants Seal the Win
The Patna Pirates weren’t ready to give up. Ankit Jaglan’s Super Tackle brought the score to 33-30 with under three minutes left. Ankit Rana narrowed it further to a two-point game. But Mohammadreza Shadloui stepped up with a crucial two-point raid, and with another ALL OUT, Gujarat Giants secured the 40-32 victory.
Top Performers for Patna Pirates
- Top Raider: Mandeep Kumar
- Top Defender: Navdeep
Final Words
The Patna Pirates showed great courage and determination, even when the match slipped out of reach. With key performances from Mandeep Kumar and Navdeep, the team will look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures.