A sublime performance by Jasvir Singh and Ajay Kumar sealed a narrow 24-22 win for Jaipur Pink Panthers against Dabang Delhi.
Heading into this game with a slim chance of entering the semi-finals, bottom-placed Dabang Delhi were up against Jaipur Pink Panthers- who themselves aren’t assured of a semi-final spot yet. By beating the likes of Patna Pirates and drawing with Pune, the capital side have been rendered the tag of giant slayers this season.
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Shabeer Bapu and Jasvir Singh were sent to the bench inside the first two minutes. Rajesh Narwal followed them and in no time, Jaipur were down to four. Delhi began the game on the front foot with some excellent team defending.
The ever improving, Ajay Kumar scored from a do or die raid for Jaipur to make it 2-3 after six minutes. Jasvir then battled his way past Sachin Shingade and Delhi were now down to three men. Kashiling Adake couldn’t stop the onslaught as he too was tackled. Jasvir followed it up with another deft hand touch and Delhi were now staring at an early all out.
Lone man on the mat, Selvamani was tackled by Ran Singh to inflict the first all out of the match. The Panthers led by 9-5 after ten minutes. But Delhi were hot on their heels and didn’t allow Jaipur to run away with the match.
While Ajay Kumar was his efficient self from do or die raids, Kashiling couldn’t mirror him at the other end. His partner, Selvamani made sure to keep the scorecard ticking.
HT- Jaipur Pink Panthers 14 - Dabang Delhi 11
Meraj Sheykh who didn’t attempt a single raid in the first half found it arduous to sneak past the Jaipur defence. Jasvir Singh then scored from a do or die raid and Delhi were soon down to three. Their raiders were having a tough time on the mat. Even the dangerous, Selvamani was kept relatively quiet.
But Meraj Sheykh finally came to life in the twenty-sixth minute. He waited till the last two seconds to pull off a stupendous do or die raid taking out two players. The score was now 16-14 to the Panthers.
The Iranian came back and executed another do or die raid to reduce the deficit to just one. But Kashiling’s poor night continued who was tackled on multiple occasions, with ease. Delhi’s defence made some weak advanced tackles to mount the pressure on captain, Meraj. Jaipur led 20-16 with seven minutes remaining.
Selvamani’s failed do or die attempt meant Delhi were now down to two. Jasvir made the most of it to pick up a point and left Meraj alone on the mat. He delayed what looked like an inevitable all out with an extended leg touch. He and Prashant pulled off a super tackle on Jasvir to reduce the deficit to just two.
Meraj then picked up another raid point and suddenly Jaipur were in danger of losing their lead. Two minutes remained. The ever-reliant, Ajay Kumar then stepped up to pick up a crucial point from a do or die raid. The Panthers held on for a close fought but deserved victory.
FT- Jaipur Pink Panthers 24 - Dabang Delhi 22
