Patna Pirates continued their impressive win with a dominant 46–37 victory over the Bengaluru Bulls in Eliminator 2 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. With this win, Patna Pirates extended their winning streak to eight matches and booked their place in Eliminator 3, where they will face Telugu Titans on Wednesday.
Strong Start from Patna Pirates
The match began with Bengaluru Bulls taking the early initiative as Alireza Mirzaian earned the first point through a successful raid. Patna Pirates quickly struck back with Ayan Lohchab scoring on his first raid, followed by a well-timed tackle from Deepak to edge ahead.
The early exchanges were tight, with both teams trading points and keeping the scores close. However, the momentum soon shifted when Ayan Lohchab led the charge for Patna Pirates, helping his team inflict the first ALL OUT of the match to take a 9–3 lead.
Riding on that advantage, Patna Pirates maintained their dominance with a combination of quick raids and sharp defensive plays. Their consistent pressure helped them open up a double-digit lead before the Strategic Time Out was called in the first half.
Patna Pirates Tighten Grip Before Halftime
Bengaluru Bulls responded with a couple of points, including a Super Tackle, but Patna Pirates quickly regained control. Deepak produced another crucial tackle as the team’s defence continued to frustrate the Bengaluru Bulls’ raiders.
With Ayan Lohchab in unstoppable form, Patna Pirates inflicted another ALL OUT, extending their lead to 23–12. Ayan Lohchab soon completed his Super 10, ensuring that Patna Pirates went into halftime in complete control with a 27–13 lead.
Record-Breaking Moment for Bengaluru Bulls
The second half saw an incredible moment for Bengaluru Bulls as Shubham Bitake produced a historic seven-point raid, six touch points and one bonus, setting a new record for the most points by a single player in a raid in PKL history. His effort briefly shifted the momentum and helped Bengaluru Bulls inflict an ALL OUT, reducing the gap.
Despite this record-breaking effort, Patna Pirates maintained composure. They continued to control proceedings through Ayan Lohchab’s calm leadership and Deepak’s defensive brilliance. Heading into the Strategic Time Out, Patna Pirates led 36–29 and looked determined to see out the contest.
Top Performers (Patna Pirates)
- Top Defender: Deepak Jaglan
- Top Raider: Ayan
Patna Pirates Seal the Win
In the final stages, Patna Pirates reasserted their dominance, extending their lead to 40–30. Their defence stayed disciplined, denying Bengaluru Bulls any real chance to mount a comeback. Despite occasional flashes from Bengaluru Bulls’ raiders, Patna Pirates’ all-round performance, led by Ayan Lohchab’s 19-point masterclass, ensured a comfortable finish.
With this victory, Patna Pirates continued their incredible late-season surge and marched confidently into Eliminator 3, where they will face Telugu Titans for a spot in the semifinals.