The Patna Pirates’ remarkable run in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 came to an end after a hard-fought 46–39 defeat against the Telugu Titans in Eliminator 3 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Tuesday night. Bharat Hooda’s record-breaking 23-point performance powered the Telugu Titans into the next stage, where they will face the Puneri Paltan for a spot in the grand finale.
Despite the loss, it was yet another masterclass from Ayan Lohchab, who created history by becoming the first raider in PKL history to record six 20+ point games in a single season. Ayan finished his season with 316 raid points, an extraordinary leap from his 184 points in PKL 11, underlining his importance in the Patna Pirates’ resurgence and their incredible eight-match winning streak leading up to Eliminator 3.
A Fast-Paced Start
The match began at a high tempo as both sides traded points early. Ayan Lohchab was tackled in his very first raid, while Vijay Malik was stopped on the following attempt. The Patna Pirates soon took control, led by Ayan’s sharp attacking instincts. He scored a two-point raid with touches on Ankit and Praful Zaware before adding another touch point against Shubham Shinde.
A tackle by Navdeep on Telugu Titans captain Vijay Malik led to the first ALL OUT of the match, giving the Patna Pirates an early advantage. Bharat Hooda, however, responded strongly for the Telugu Titans, securing a two-point raid on Balaji D and Deepak. By the end of the first quarter, the Patna Pirates led 13–9, maintaining steady control.
Historic Milestone for Ayan Lohchab
Ayan Lohchab made history in the first half, becoming just the fifth player in PKL history to reach 300 raid points in a single season. He also equalled the record for the joint-fastest raider to reach the milestone, matching the feats of Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Sehrawat from Season 7.
Navdeep’s tackle on Bharat Hooda during a Do-Or-Die raid pushed him to the top of the tackle points leaderboard. But Telugu Titans’ persistence paid off as Shubham Shinde tackled Ayan and Chetan Sahu scored off Deepak’s error. The Telugu Titans then inflicted an ALL OUT to seize the lead, heading into halftime with a 22–20 advantage.
Telugu Titans Take Control
The Telugu Titans began the second half with strong intent. Bharat Hooda completed his Super 10 with a touch on Ashish Birwal and continued to dominate the mat. A successful tackle on Ankit Rana and a powerful raid that got Navdeep and Deepak helped the Telugu Titans inflict a second ALL OUT, stretching their lead to ten points.
The Patna Pirates struggled to find consistent support for Ayan Lohchab, as Balaji D and Ankit Rana couldn’t capitalise on key moments. Bharat’s raids continued to keep the Telugu Titans in command, while their defence held firm against Patna Pirates’ fightback attempts.
Ayan Leads Late Fightback
Ayan Lohchab wasn’t ready to surrender. He completed yet another Super 10 with a raid on Shubham Shinde and followed it up with a two-point dubki raid that reduced the margin. The Patna Pirates then inflicted an ALL OUT of their own, bringing the score to 35–28 and cutting the deficit to just five points.
Navdeep also recorded his fourth High Five of the season, adding crucial points in defence. However, Telugu Titans’ Bharat Hooda responded with a series of successful raids, including touches on Ankit Rana and Deepak, ensuring his team stayed ahead.
Titans Seal the Win
As the game entered its final moments, Bharat Hooda produced a Super Raid, which effectively sealed the fate of the match. Despite the Patna Pirates’ spirited performance and Ayan Lohchab’s brilliance, the Telugu Titans maintained their composure to secure a 46–39 victory.
End of a Memorable Campaign
Though their campaign ended one step short of the semifinals, the Patna Pirates can take immense pride in their performance this season. From an inconsistent start to an eight-match winning streak and qualification for the Eliminators, they showcased resilience and character.
With Ayan Lohchab emerging as one of the stars of PKL 12, and Navdeep establishing himself among the league’s top defenders. The Patna Pirates have set a solid foundation for the next season.