Dabang Delhi coach Honnappa C Gowda out to stop U Mumba's run

Dabang Delhi coach Honnappa C Gowda looking pensive during his team’s match against Patna Pirates

It’s been a see-saw couple of days for the Patna Pirates as they play host to the extravaganza that Star Sports Pro Kabaddi is. While they are mauled by the Telegu Titans on Day 1 here at the Pataliputra Sports Complex, they inflicted similar treatment on the Dabangs from Delhi last night. Registering just their 2nd win in process, they did teams like Puneri Paltan and Jaipur Pink Panthers a world of good, too, as the gap with the Top 4 wasn’t extended any further.

For the team from Delhi though, it came as a jolt, one which may go to dissuade their ambitions later in the season. Astute in defence till now, the Dabangs were exposed last night against the team led by Sandeep Narwal. Thus, today, as they took the court for their customary practice session ahead of clash vs U Mumbai, coach Honnappa C Gowda and his boys looked rather subdued.

When asked about what ensued last night, the gaffer said, “It was a bad day for us, not much seemed to work. We will, however, come out strong tonight and hopefully list another win today.”

With 6 wins out of as many games, U Mumba though have been the team to beat this season. Honnappa refused to get bogged down by that bit of trivia though.

“Yes, they have been playing well, but we are in really good shape too. If we can put up a good show, there is no reason why we can’t beat them. We got the better of them last season too (36-27 in Pune) and I don’t see why we can’t repeat that tonight,” he claimed.

“I promise we’ll fight for our lives and make the city proud,” the Arjuna Awardee had said upon becoming Dabang Delhi’s manager in June 2015. Now is the time to live up to that promise.