JOIN US Captain Rakesh Kumar and young Sandeep Narwal produced fine performances to help Patna Pirates upset holders Jaipur Pink Panthers 29-23 in their Pro Kabaddi League encounter here on Sunday.
The win was their first in the league for Patna even as the hosts crashed to their third straight loss in a row. In a closely fought tie from the beginning, Jaipur had their nose ahead to take a 11-10 lead. After the halftime, the match continued to remain intense and the score reached 20-20, with four minutes to go.
Patna then tilted the scales in their favour by inflicting the only all out of the match, leaving Jaipur and their supporters thoroughly disappointed.
Earlier, Jaipur drew first blood through Kulseth, who had a good day at office. Patna came back strongly to go ahead 4-2 with Ravi Dalal, Sandeep and Rakesh registering their first points for the team. Rakesh then went on to add seven more seven touch points and contributed significantly towards Patna’s win.
The dismissal of Jasvir and the revival of Rakesh in the dying minutes of the game gave Patna the opportunity they were waiting and they made the most of out of it. Sandeep and Rakesh played carefully, with Jaipur needing to grab the initiative. Rakesh quelled their hopes by carrying out the last four raids.
Mumbai clinch thriller
In the second match of the day, U Mumba overcame some anxious moments to subdue a spirited challenge from Telugu Titans 27-26 in a close match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium to maintain their top position.
Mumbai was trailing but came back strongly to have the last laugh at 27-26 between calls for the third umpire.
It was the brilliance of skipper Anoop Kumar who top scored with 10 points, that helped Mumbai to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Dishant Devadiga too had a good match with seven points to help his team maintain the top position in the league with 30 points from six matches.