Patna Pirates delivered a commanding second-half performance to overcome Puneri Paltan 38–27 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Sunday. After trailing at halftime, the three-time champions turned the game around through Ayan Lohchab’s 17-point masterclass and a disciplined defensive display led by Navdeep, defeating the league leaders in style.
First Half: Tactical Battle and Early Exchanges
The opening ten minutes of the contest saw both teams engage in a closely fought tactical battle, with neither side willing to concede an inch. The Patna Pirates began by rotating their raiders smartly through Ankit Kumar and Ayan Lohchab, while the defence, led by Deepak and Navdeep, held firm against Puneri Paltan’s early raids.
Momentum shifted multiple times in the early stages — the Patna Pirates’ timely tackles countered Puneri’s strong defensive efforts. With Ayan’s sharp raids and Ankit Kumar’s steady support, the Patna Pirates built a slender 8–5 lead after ten minutes.
Puneri’s defence, anchored by Abinesh Nadarajan, Rakesh, and Sanjay Enania, responded with a pair of Super Tackles to regain momentum. The exchanges remained fierce, with both teams trading points and defences holding strong.
As the half progressed, Puneri Paltan found rhythm through Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, forcing a few errors from the Patna Pirates to take a 15–13 lead into halftime.
Second Half: Patna Pirates Take Control
Patna Pirates came out of the break determined and aggressive. Ayan Lohchab led the charge, executing a string of confident raids that put Puneri Paltan under pressure. Milan Dahiya provided key support, including a crucial ALL OUT raid that swung the momentum firmly in favour of Patna Pirates.
Despite Puneri’s attempts to stage a fightback through Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, the Patna Pirates’ defensive unit, marshalled by Navdeep and Ankit, stood tall. Their disciplined tackling and compact defensive setup restricted Puneri’s scoring opportunities.
Top Performers (Patna Pirates)
- Top Raider: Ayan Lohchab
- Top Defender: Navdeep
Final Moments: Composure and Control
With Ayan Lohchab maintaining his raiding form and Stuwart Singh adding valuable support, the Patna Pirates extended their lead steadily. Every successful raid and tackle drew the crowd louder, as the Patna Pirates continued to frustrate Puneri Paltan’s attempts at recovery.
In the closing minutes, Patna Pirates displayed complete control — mixing calm possession play with clinical raids to seal a well-deserved win.
The victory marked one of Patna Pirates’ finest performances this season, proving their resilience and strategic maturity on the mat.