It was only pride that was left to play for as the Dabang Delhi took on the Jaipur Pink Panthers on Day 3 of the Delhi leg in the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League.
With both sides out of contention for a spot in the playoffs, both sides vied against each other to end their respective campaigns on a high. Playing in front of their home fans, the Eagles were looking to bounce back after an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Patna Pirates in their previous encounter.
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First half: Jaipur Pink Panthers 8-9 Dabang Delhi
Contrary to what has happened in Delhi’s previous games, the start was quite tense and the half ended at 9-8 in the Eagles’ favour. Both sides tried to avoid any unforced errors as a result of which we saw a low-scoring 20 minutes of action.
The Pink Panthers initiated the scoring and gained an early 2-0 lead, which soon became 4-1 in the 5th minute.
However, buoyed by their vociferous supporters, the Eagles equalized in the 10th minute to make it four points apiece and later went ahead after Ran Singh was brought down.
It was the Jaipur side who picked up the next three points after capitalizing on K Selvamani’s situation in a do-or-die raid.
With the score at 7-5, the Delhi team equalized for a second time in the half and after a scintillating raid by Kashiling Adake, they went into the breather with a one-point lead.
Second half: Jaipur Pink Panthers 21-21 Dabang Delhi
The second half began in quite curious fashion as the Jaipur defense held firm with the Eagles pushing for an all out.
After the Delhi defense brought down an opposing raider, Kashiling Adake was hunted down by the two remaining Jaipur men which meant that the scores were level once again at 10-10.
The revived Jaipur man was felled by the resurgent Eagles defense, after which it Surjeet Singh’s turn to go and get the all out. However, he too was brought down in a super tackle situation, giving the lead to the Pink Panthers.
Delhi equalized through a defensive point, after which Kashi was felled once again to award the Jaipur side their third super tackle in a row.
The elusive all out did come eventually after K Selvamani gained a touch point and Rohit Rana was brought down by the Delhi defenders.
The next two raids were do-or-die for both sides and the Eagles capitalized on both as the scoreboard now read 19-14 in favour of the home side.
There was another twist in the tale as Mohammad Maghsoudlou of the Pink Panthers struck with a super raid with just over three minutes to go.
Delhi were down to just three men, but K Selvamani delivered the goods with a two-point raid that looked to have sealed the win as it was now 21-19.
It was the Pink Panthers who had the final laugh as Rajesh Narwal picked up a touch point on a do-or-die raid and of all people, Ravinder Pahal lost his composure in the buzzer raid as he committed a grave error and allowed the Jaipur raider to score, ending the game at 21-21.
K Selvamani was the Eagles’ top performer on the night, scoring five points off the bench in critical situations.
For the Jaipur side, it was defender C Arun who shone with seven tackle points, which included a scarcely believable three super tackles.
It was a thrilling end to a pulsating game of kabaddi.
