Puneri Paltan Vs Patna Pirates 21 October 2024

Full-Time
Puneri Paltan 40 - 25 Patna Pirates

Well, many raised the question after the auction and it's sure to come up now. Has Patna gone too light with their raiding unit? Their raiders simply didn't know what to do against a masterclass in defending from the Puneri Paltan, and credit to Patna's defense for keeping the deficit down to 15.

The first ten minutes were pretty tight as neither team gave much away defensively, with Patna very strong during the Super Tackle situations. However, once Aslam broke the pattern of empty and do-or-die raids, the Paltan ran away with the lead and maintained it comfortably, with tackle points for pretty much everyone, with the two corners Aman and Gaurav Khatri both finishing with six points each.

Pune actually never had less than four men on the court throughout this match and that shows both their level of dominance and how much Patna struggled to get touch points. Their defense, led by Ankit Jaglan and Shubham Shinde was solid as expected, with the former picking up a High 5. However, Head Coach Narender Redhu must do something about the lack of bite on the raiding front for Patna, as they simply can't win matches purely relying on their defense.

That brings an expectedly one-sided affair to an end. Join us tomorrow for another exciting double-header of PKL 11, with Pawan Sehrawat taking on Arjun Deshwal in the first match before Pardeep Narwal faces off with his ex-franchise UP Yoddhas. Until then, this is Shreyas signing off. Good Night!

2nd Half, 40'
Puneri Paltan 40 - 25 Patna Pirates

Gaurav Khatri gets his 6th of the night, and by now, it must be part of his muscle memory, that ankle hold. Abinesh Nadarajan joins in on the next raid, getting his 2nd of the night with a routine dash.

Ohh, Aryavardhan, the substitute, that's ingenious! Deepak Singh completely blindsided him in a do-or-die raid, but he does really well to play with the angle of his challenge and turn his way to the mid-line.

The whistle blows for full-time and a thoroughly professional performance from the Puneri Paltan sees them move to the top of the table. A 15-point win that was never in doubt!

2nd Half, 38'
Puneri Paltan 37 - 25 Patna Pirates

The most successful overseas raider in PKL history can't manage a touch point against the Pune defense, but he does get a bonus before Mohit Goyat traps him with an ankle hold. He'll take that for a first raid in the PKL after a long time!

Pune faced with a do-or-die raid again, but no change in fortune for substitute Aryavardhan as Ankit gets an easy tackle point. He has six now!

Patna solid as ever in defense, and ooh, Ayan gets a rare touch point as Sanket Sawant's timing is a bit off on an advanced tackle attempt.

2nd Half, 36'
Puneri Paltan 36 - 22 Patna Pirates

16th tackle point of the night for the Paltan as Gaurav Khatri gets his 4th of the night with another solid back hold, this time on Ayan.

But credit to Patna who don't make a mistake in defense, bringing down Pankaj Mohite again in a do-or-die raid.

Gaurav Khatri gets his High 5 as Sandeep's attempted leap to escape is in vain as the Pune defense is just too good to come in to support. Everyone in this team can defend, similar to the Iran national team, and that just makes a world of difference as even when the tackle initiator slips up, the others are very quick to react accordingly.

Patna call for a timeout, and let's go! Long-time PKL fans will love this sight as Jang Kun Lee is subbed on!

2nd Half, 34'
Puneri Paltan 34 - 21 Patna Pirates

Well, Patna taking this opportunity to give themselves confidence in their defense. They just time Pankaj Mohite out in a do-or-die raid as the defense shows great discipline to not commit to a challenge. You don't see that often!

Gaurav Khatri adds to his tally with a routine ankle hold on Sudhakar before Ayan hits back with a running hand touch on Mohit Goyat.

2nd Half, 32'
Puneri Paltan 33 - 19 Patna Pirates

The tackle points keep flowing for the Paltan as their two covers dash Ayan out, but Sanket Sawant follows the raider out of bounds, and a point each is awarded.

What can Patna do here? They've come up against a defense that's just one level too good for them. Sandeep Kumar doesn't even come close to the mid-line as Aslam chips in with a tackle point.

2nd Half, 30'
Puneri Paltan 31 - 18 Patna Pirates

Patna will be relieved to hear the whistle blow for the timeout as they desperately need tactical guidance here.

They've played well, they've been brave, and their defense has been pretty good so far. However, when even the best in the business struggle to score raid points against the Paltan defense, their relatively weaker raiders have looked clueless, and it's to their credit that the deficit is only 13 points so far.

Can coach Narender Redhu spark a comeback and help them reduce the margin of defeat to 7 points or will the Paltan look to better their points difference?

2nd Half, 29'
Puneri Paltan 30 - 17 Patna Pirates

Well, Pune having fun now! Gaurav Khatri shows his might with a mighty back hold that's pretty much a solo tackle on Sudhakar.

Patna hit back with Ankit's solid ankle hold on Pankaj Mohite, and that's a High 5 for the Patna left corner.

However, the Pune defense has it too easy against this Patna raiding unit. Everyone wants a piece of the action and it's Mohit Goyat who gets the tackle point now.

2nd Half, 27'
Puneri Paltan 27 - 15 Patna Pirates

Devank sneaks a bonus point in as the Pirates bring a defender on to play on the Super Tackle. However, they can't just keep relying on that as Mohit Goyat illustrates, targeting the left corner and picking up an easy point.

But just as the Paltan think they have the all-out in the bag, Devank claims a touch point on Aslam Inamdar and it's given. The Pune captain is confident that there wasn't a touch and reviews, and with Devank stepping into the lobby, it will be an all-out if this review is successful.

It is successful. Great review from Aslam as the Paltan claim their 2nd all-out.

2nd Half, 25'
Puneri Paltan 23 - 13 Patna Pirates

This game once again settles into a familiar rhythm of empty and do-or-die raids as Patna have four on the mat and Pune five. With no bonus available, it's a do-or-die raid game, and it Patna's turn first.

Ayan has to go first, and the Pune defense simply doesn't miss, and it's Aman once again, with a chain tackle this time around! 

At the other end, Mohit gets the better of Ankit this time around, and just like that, Patna down to two and staring at an all-out.

2nd Half, 22'
Puneri Paltan 21 - 13 Patna Pirates

Patna immediately down to two as Pankaj Mohite targets Shubham Shinde and gets him with ease. However, a rare raid point for the Pirates as Ayan sees Aslam Inamdar's attempted tackle and just about manages to get to the mid-line.

Ohh, Super Tackle for the Pirates and is that a way back for them? Ankit on the left corner does enough to hinder Pankaj's escape with the rest of the defense coming in immediately to support him.

Half-Time
Puneri Paltan 20 - 10 Patna Pirates

Until the first timeout, this was a cagey game with both teams flexing their defensive might, with the gulf in the quality of raiders kept in check. But after the break, Aslam Inamdar stepped up in a do-or-die raid, and that opening was enough for the Paltan to break away and take a huge lead that looks like it'll keep growing. 

Patna looks solid defensively with quality personnel in all four positions, but their raiders have been made to look like amateurs by this mighty Pune defense, with the left corner Aman already on a High 5!

Patna does have Jang Kun Lee on the bench to turn to. Will the Korean raider get an opportunity to turn back the clock?

1st Half, 20'
Puneri Paltan 20 - 10 Patna Pirates

The two corners combine to end the half on a positive note for the Pirates. The captain Shubham Shinde and his lieutenant on the left Ankit Jaglan combine to keep Mohit Goyat down in a do-or-die raid, also getting an extra point for the Super Tackle.

As the whistle blows for half-time, Patna have a ten-point deficit to deal with, with their raiding department looking really short on experience. Can they spring a surprise in the second half? We'll find out in a few minutes.

1st Half, 18'
Puneri Paltan 20 - 8 Patna Pirates

Aslam Inamdar joins the fun himself, chipping in with a tackle point with a well-timed ankle hold on Devank to take the Paltan's lead to ten now.

The lack of points at the other end results in pressure even in their strong suit for the Pirates, with Deepak Singh going for a needless tackle on Mohit Goyat in a do-or-die raid.

The substitute Sudhakar M can't impact the game either as Aman races to a High 5! Wow! He should thank his defense for that as they bailed him out on a couple of occasions, but he's filled the big shoes of Mohammadreza Chiyaneh rather impressively.

Patna are down to two now and staring down the barrel here. Can they force a comeback?

1st Half, 16'
Puneri Paltan 17 - 8 Patna Pirates

We expected Patna to struggle on the raiding front, and that's precisely what's happening here as Ayan and Sandeep Kumar head to the bench in successive raids. Aman initiated both tackles rather weakly, but the rest of the defense is too quick to join in support.

1st Half, 14'
Puneri Paltan 14 - 8 Patna Pirates

That's how good Pune are! Ayan does nothing wrong. He doesn't even go deep towards the Pune right corner, but such is the confidence and coordination of the Pune team that Sanket Sawant is able to complete an audacious advance chain tackle.

However, Patna hit back with a couple of quick points, with Deepak Singh tackling Aslam Inamdar before Devank capitalizes on a rare error from Gaurav Khatri.

1st Half, 12'
Puneri Paltan 12 - 6 Patna Pirates

The experienced Deepak Singh and Ankit are on court for the Pirates in a do-or-die raid with the Super Tackle on, but Mohit Goyat proves too good for them. In hindsight, that was hasty from Ankit who tries to blindside Mohit, but to no avail.

At the other end, Devank has to go for a touch point, and almost gets through, but Abinesh Nadarajan pulls him back in the nick of time.

Aslam Inamdar completes the formalities at the other end, getting an easy 1v1 to get the Paltan their first all-out of the match. Clinical from them.

1st Half, 10'
Puneri Paltan 7 - 5 Patna Pirates

The teams don't waver from their do-or-die raid strategy and a couple of empty raids later, the whistle blows for the timeout.

Patna is down to three, but they've looked comfortable defensively, and they're one Super Tackle away from drawing level. However, one tiny misstep and you know that the Paltan will run away with a huge lead. An important passage of play coming up now.

1st Half, 9'
Puneri Paltan 7 - 5 Patna Pirates

Aslam comes in for a do-or-die raid and he plays with time brilliantly. He keeps the defense waiting, waiting, and waiting, and with six seconds to go, he knew the defense would come for him, anticipates Shubham Shinde's ankle hold, and gets away with two points!

Smart stuff from the Pune captain and in such a tight game, these moments could prove the difference.

At the other end, Devank does well to pick up a bonus point in Patna's own do-or-die raid.

1st Half, 6'
Puneri Paltan 5 - 4 Patna Pirates

Patna seem confident enough to rely on their defense as both teams play the do-or-die raid game. Mohit Goyat comes in for a do-or-die raid, and he's completely done in by a diving double ankle hold from Deepak Singh. Patna look like a solid team here, especially defensively.

But Patna have a do-or-die raid themselves, and in a 1v4 situation, Ayan has no chance against the in-form Gaurav Khatri.

Like the first game tonight between UP and Delhi, this one too seems to revolve around the defense.

1st Half, 4'
Puneri Paltan 4 - 3 Patna Pirates

And the 3-time champions fight back and how! Ankit Jaglan comes in clutch with a Super Tackle on none other than Aslam. The highly-rated youngster Ayan goes in confidently and emerges victorious the second time around, getting a touch on Pankaj Mohite.

1st Half, 2'
Puneri Paltan 4 - 0 Patna Pirates

The Paltan make it look easy with Aman putting in a solid block on the left raider Ayan to get the team their first point of the night. Aslam then wades in, and tags the Patna cover defender Gurdeep.

The second raider Devank also falls prey to a razor-sharp Aman, who gets his 2nd tackle point of the night. Ohh, it's going completely the Paltan's way here, with Mohit Goyat going in and getting Sandeep Kumar this time.

Do Patna even have a raider on court? They've been rattled early here! Who will step up?

Toss Update: The Patna Pirates win the toss and choose to raid first. 

That's a surprising call from the Pirates, but we're away. Ayan will start us off!

Both teams have made their way onto the mat, and we're not far away from live action.

As we wait for the thrilling contest between the UP Yoddhas and Dabang Delhi KC to come to a close, finalize your Dream11 captaincy picks with the help of our expertly curated captaincy choices:

Looking for an edge over your opponents in your Dream11 contests? We have just the thing for you in the form of our surprise picks who could end up being the difference-makers in your Dream11 teams:

Here's how these two teams have fared when they've faced off in the past:

With the lineups out and ready, it's time for the Dream11 players to start making their teams. Take a look at Sportskeeda's Dream11 Prediction for this match for all you need to know on this front:

Team News

Here are the starting lineups of both teams:

Puneri Paltan: Aslam Inamdar (C), Mohit Goyat, Abinesh Nadarajan, Sanket Sawant, Gaurav Khatri, Aman, and Pankaj Mohite.

Patna Pirates: Shubham Shinde (C), Ankit Jaglan, Sandeep Kumar, Devank, Deepak Singh, Ayan, and Gurdeep.

An unchanged starting 7 from the Puneri Paltan, who despite being just one game into the season, seem to have found their best side. 

Meanwhile, plenty of surprises in Patna's starting 7, with arguably the best existing raider in their squad, Sudhakar M, on the bench, with Sandeep Kumar the only recognized name. Devank and Ayan are the two new names in their lineup, and it'll be interesting to see how they fare.

Preview

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's coverage of the 11th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. It's the second match of a Monday double-header that sees the defending champions Puneri Paltan go up against the three-time PKL winners Patna Pirates here at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.

The Paltan lost one of their best players Mohammadreza Chiyaneh prior to this season, with the Iranian being snapped up by the Steelers at the auction. However, they seemed to have done well to replace him, with Aman putting in a solid shift in their win over the Steelers on Saturday. Gaurav Khatri on the right corner had a brilliant game, scoring seven tackle points, and those two will pose a stern test to the very young Patna raiding unit.

Speaking of the Pirates, they've gone for a mini-reset in terms of their team, building a solid defensive core, but leaving the raiding department to some promising youngsters. They did go for a similar approach in Season 8 with great success, but that time around, they had some experienced heads in Prashanth Kumar Rai and Monu Goyat to steer the team the right way. It will be a challenge for Head Coach Narender Redhu to guide this talented group of youngsters, but considering that they're the most successful PKL team, they'll back themselves to find a way.

These teams have played out some thrilling contests in the past, and fans will be hoping for more of the same as they go head-to-head. So sit back and enjoy as we bring to you all the action as it unfolds.