5 best defensive matches from Pro Kabaddi League season 4

During the course of Pro Kabaddi season 4, viewers were treated to a wide variety of matches. Among them, we witnessed some sublime defensive performances.

With top-notch defenders like Fazel Atrachali, Sandeep Narwal and Amit Hooda part of the Pro Kabaddi League, defenses were on their toes, keeping the raiders guessing.

Just like defenders help protect the team and allow raiders to play with freedom, Castrol Activ’s Actibonds cling onto the engine and protect it at all times, enabling it to perform better.

We look at five low scoring games where the defenders dominated the raiders, making it an intriguing watch.

Bengal Warriors 18-26 U Mumba

In the sixty matches that were played this season, there were just four instances when a team scored less than 20 points. Match number 16 was one such occasion.

U Mumba came into the match on the back of a win against Delhi while Bengal had lost to Jaipur. The men in orange scored 13 tackles points that night to eventually win 26-18 with Surjeet Singh and Rakesh Kumar shining, scoring four tackle points each.

Their miserly defensive performance came at a time when fans and pundits alike were unsure about how Mumbai would cope after the departure of several important defenders.

Jaipur Pink Panthers 24-22 Dabang Delhi

This match was expected to be smooth sailing for the Panthers, but was far from it. Both teams scored seven tackle points each on the night, but statistics don’t paint the complete picture.

Raiders from both sides found it arduous to initially break down the opposition defences and empty raids were very frequent on the night.

Sachin Shingade and Meraj Sheykh defended well for Delhi, with usual suspects Amit Hooda and Ran Singh ensuring there was no upset by holding down Jaipur’s defense. The low-scoring match eventually finished 24-22 in Jaipur’s favour as Jasvir and company heaved a sigh of relief.

Patna Pirates 21-26 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Match number 28 was like a dress rehearsal for the finals. The match saw two of the best sides of season 4 battle it out for forty minutes, with the Panthers coming out on top, winning the game 26-21.

The match was characterized by some high energy defending from both sides as Jaipur scored a massive 17 tackle points, with Shabeer Bapu scoring 6 of them, much to everyone’s surprise.

His super tackles alongside Amit Hooda were a sight to behold, with Hooda scoring 5 tackle points that night. For Patna, Fazel Atrachali and Bajirao Hodage scored 9 tackle points each.

In the end, Patna just fell short, thanks to Jaipur’s stingy backline.

Bengaluru Bulls 23-24 U Mumba

As the league entered its 23rd match, things were heating up in as both sides were desperately looking for a win to break away from the pack.

A total of 4 all outs were inflicted on the night- two for each team - a testament to the defensive organization that both sides exhibited. Neither team was ready to go for the kill as they played out a tactical battle.

U Mumba produced an all-round defensive performance with Anup Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Surjeet all chipping in with tackle points. It was the same at the other end as both Surender Nada and Mohit Chhilar played with great motivation against their former employers, picking up 4 and 3 points, respectively.

However, U Mumba had the last laugh as they edged out the Bulls 24-23 in a nailbiting finish. Anup Kumar was the star that night scoring 9 raid points and 2 tackle points.

Bengal Warriors 23-24 Bengaluru Bulls

This match had a low score written all over it. Neither side was too reliant on their raiders and a lack of attacking ammunition meant both sides played on the defensive.

The Bulls and the Warriors adopted a reactive rather than a proactive approach in match number 3, resulting in an absorbing game which eventually ended 24-23 in Bengaluru’s favour.

On the night, right corner, Surender Nada picked up a high five while Nilesh Shinde and Girish Ernak stifled the Bulls with some shrewd tackling.

Truth to be told, apart from Rohit Kumar ( 7 raid points), both sides were reluctant to go all guns blazing with their raids. What ensued was a strategic battle as neither wanted to lose at such an early stage in the competition.

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