The Patna Pirates resisted a comeback from Puneri Paltan as they held on to secure a vital 31-28 victory in match 48 of Pro Kabaddi League season 4. With forty-eight points after twelve games, the men in green secured themselves a semi-final berth.
With the Pink Panthers securing a final four berth yesterday, the pressure was truly on the other two P’s- Patna and Pune. They squared off on the final day of the Mumbai leg, the Pirates knowing a win could all but guarantee them a spot alongside Jaipur.
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The last time these two sides met, Patna beat Paltan by six points. Pune had to dejectedly do without the services of Manjeet Chhillar tonight. The inform, Deepak Hooda took over captaincy responsibilities.
Usual suspect, Pardeep Narwal took out Ravinder Pahal in his very first raid. The Patna defence looked miserly. They left no stone unturned and pounced on the Pune raiders like hyenas- racing to a 4-1 lead inside four minutes.
Pardeep continued to dance his way past the Pune army with ease. Narwal then pulled off a stupendous two-point raid under pressure- powering his way past the orange wall. Actress, Jacqueline Fernandez seated in the VIP stands seemed impressed. Patna led 9-4 after eleven minutes.
Narwal returned twice to take out Deepak Hooda and Preetam, leaving Ajay Thakur alone on the mat. He was immediately tackled as the Pirates inflicted the first all out of the match. They raced to a 14- 6 lead.
Pune made a mini comeback, going on a 4-0 run and reduced the deficit to four points. Patna were now down to four but Dharmaraj and co. produced a massive final second tackle on Hooda to end the half on a high.
HT- Patna Pirates 15 – Puneri Paltan 10
The Paltan began the second half in fine fashion. Parmod Narwal, not related to Pardeep, executed the perfect dubki to score two raid points. Patna were now down to just three men. They didn’t crumble.
This time Bajirao and Fazel and Abolfazel pulled off a clever super tackle to extend their lead. They tackled Deepak Hooda which brought back Pardeep on the mat. The number nine, executed another mind-boggling super raid. Patna now led 22-10 after twenty-six minutes.
Ajay Thakur ensured Pune didn’t suffer another all out, picking up a couple of raid points in quick succession. But they crumbled once again courtesy Narwal’s supreme efficiency. They suffered another all out and now trailed Patna, 28-16. Things were getting ugly for the men in orange.
Eight minutes remaining and Patna slowed down the pace of the game considerably. But captain for the day, Deepak Hooda was in a hurry. He scored a well taken two-point raid to reduce Patna to two. Narwal as then tackled and suddenly the Pirates seemed no more invincible.
Hooda returned to take out Bajirao and Patna soon suffered their first all out. Pune were now just four points behind. Dharmaraj urged calm. The final moments were frantic with Patna knowing they couldn’t rest on their lead now.
Deepak Hooda attempted a lone comeback with some steady, successful raids. He reduced the deficit to just three. But it wasn’t to be as Patna held on for a vital victory to secure a place in the semi-finals.
FT- Patna Pirates 31 – Puneri Paltan 28
