On October 21, 2024, the Patna Pirates opened Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) with a challenging encounter against Puneri Paltan at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. The Patna Pirates fought valiantly but ultimately lost by a margin, with the final score being 40-25 in favor of Puneri Paltan.
First-Half Struggles
Right from the start, the Patna Pirates had to face an aggressive Puneri Paltan, represented by Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat. Ankit in Patna Pirates’ defense fought hard to restrain Puneri’s raiders but whenever Paltans attacked, they could find gaps. The first half went to Puneri Paltan, creating a huge lead at the end of the first half. Patna Pirates’ offense could not finish at the right times, as the Raiders could not break Puneri’s defense. The team managed only 10 points in the first half, while their opponents surged ahead with 23 points, leaving the Patna Pirates at a significant disadvantage.
Second-Half Fightback
Strength was evident from the Patna Pirates in the second half. Ankit kept on making crucial tackles thereby impressing his defensive skills. There were some better raids than previously, but the Patna Pirates were unable to turn the tide as Puneri seemed to be in control. The Patna Pirates did manage to put more points on the scoreboard in the second half, scoring 15 points, but this proved to be insufficient. Their raiding unit, while improved, still found it impossible to cope with the unyielding Puneri defense that rendered them mostly ineffective.
Match Statistics Highlighting Patna Pirates’ Performance
The results did not favor the team, but some statistics point out how the Patna Pirates can improve their performance. The squad made a total of 8 successful tackles, with Ankit being a major contributor. However, they had only 8 successful raids, indicating how they must improve their offensive strategies going forward. The final score of 40-25 highlighted the Patna Pirates’ struggles, offering potential for improvement in their scoring techniques as they prepare for their next match.
Patna Pirates: Top Performers Of The Match
Top Defender: Shubham Shinde
Top Raider: Devank Dalal
Match Table
| Raids Attempted | 44 |
| Tackles Attempted | 19 |
| Raid Points | 8 |
| Tackle Points | 8 |
Key Takeaways
Patna Pirates’ defense flashed with great brilliance, especially with Ankit’s tackles. However, they could not sustain their rhythm against the offense, which was translated as a trump card for Puneri Paltan to exploit. As the Patna Pirates prepare for their next match, the team’s fighting spirit remains strong, and fans can expect a more synchronized effort in upcoming games.
The Patna Pirates would look forward to bouncing back and handing on more substantial performances in the remaining matches of the season.