Tamil Thalaivas Vs Jaipur Pink Panthers 15 December 2024

FULL-TIME! Tamil Thalaivas 27-34 Jaipur Pink Panthers

The Jaipur Pink Panthers climb to the sixth spot with this crucial victory, while the Tamil Thalaivas’ campaign officially ends, leaving them out of playoff contention.

It wasn’t the most dominant raiding display from Jaipur, with Arjun Deshwal managing only six raid points from 18 attempts. But the defensive unit made up for it in style, with Ankush Rathee leading the charge with a High 5, ably supported by Surjeet Singh and Reza Mirbagheri, who kept the Thalaivas' raiders in check.

The Thalaivas had their moments, with skipper Nitesh Kumar delivering a stellar defensive performance, notching a High 5 with seven tackle points. Himanshu showed promise with his all-round display, but the team’s inability to avoid errors and constant leakage of points sealed their fate.

While this win is a morale booster for Jaipur, they still have areas to address as every game from here on is a virtual knockout. As for the Thalaivas, their remaining matches will now be about playing for pride.

That’s it from this match! This is Meeth Agrawal, signing off. Stay tuned and switch tabs for the clash between U Mumba and UP Yoddhas!

40' Tamil Thalaivas 27-34 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Reza goes for an advance dash on Himanshu to give away an easy point. But this has made sure that the Thalaivas don't get more than one. 

DO OR DIE RAID FOR JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS! It's the final raid of the game and Neeraj Narwal runs the last nine seconds down before escaping an ankle hold from Abhishek. 

39' Tamil Thalaivas 26-33 Jaipur Pink Panthers

SUPER TACKLE! Almost an all-out here but Nitesh Kumar gets his 7th tackle point with his iron clad ankle hold on Arjun Deshwal.

A great block this time from Surjeet Singh to stop a running Sai Prasad.

SUPER TACKLE! Back to back super tackles on Arjun Deshwal. This time it's sub Sahil Gulia who traps the raider with a double thigh hold.  

38' Tamil Thalaivas 22-32 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Arjun finally managed to get a point after a long time. Abhishek tries to block from the right corner but Arjun twists and turns to escape back. 

A silly advance back hold from Surjeet Singh gives Chandran Ranjith his first point in 10 attempts. 

Another successful raid as Arjun Deshwal gets a toe touch on Chandran Ranjith at the left in. 

What a solo ankle hold here from Ankush. Sheer strength from Ankush to reach his High 5.

36' Tamil Thalaivas 21-29 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Shrikant Jadhav throws a kick at the right corner but is dashed out by Abhishek's dash. 

Himanshu attempts for a toe touch on the right corner but Reza dashes him out with ease. 

Chandran Ranjith attempts for a bonus under the right corner and the referee denies it. The Thalaivas have reviewed it though and the replays show that his foot cut the bonus line and thus no bonus. Empty raid it is. 

34' Tamil Thalaivas 20-28 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Neeraj Narwal contributes in defense this time with a double ankle hold on Sai Prasad from the right in. 

32' Tamil Thalaivas 20-27 Jaipur Pink Panthers

A bonus by Sourabh under the left in but Ankush Rathee, just like always gets an ankle hold. However, Surjeet also went out of bounds during the support. 

Arjun hasn't been at his best tonight. He is taken down yet again, this time by Abhishek's dash from the right cover. 

30' Tamil Thalaivas 17-26 Jaipur Pink Panthers

DO OR DIE RAID FOR JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS! A top-class escape from Arjun Deshwal as he ducks underneath the dash of Abhishek to get his hands past the midline.

Himanshu looks for a toe touch on Ronak Singh but is taken down by Ronak Singh's double ankle hold on his way back. 

Another failed raid for Arjun. Runs towards the right corner and tries to jump over but falls down to be taken down by Nitesh Kumar. 

Third tackle point for Ankush Rathee as he gets an ankle hold on Chandran Ranjith at the left corner. 

28' Tamil Thalaivas 16-23 Jaipur Pink Panthers

DO OR DIE RAID FOR TAMIL THALAIVAS! Sourabh gets stuck in the centre of a four-man defense and ends up giving his ankle to Reza. 

26' Tamil Thalaivas 16-22 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Chandran Ranjith goes in deep at the right corner and then rushes for a running hand touch. But Surjeet was ready and takes him down with a double ankle hold.

Neeraj Narwal runs the clock down and then tries for a bonus. But, Sourabh at the right in, gets a perfect ankle hold.  

24' Tamil Thalaivas 15-21 Jaipur Pink Panthers

DO OR DIE RAID FOR TAMIL THALAIVAS! It's Sourabh who takes the responsibility but Ankush Rathee delivers with another superb ankle hold. 

DO OR DIE RAID FOR JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS! Abhijeet Malik has been given the task. Boy oh boy. What a solo block from Nitesh Kumar. Comes from the left corner and holds the raider like a baby to give no room to escape. 

22' Tamil Thalaivas 14-20 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Another unsuccessful raid for Arjun Deshwal as Himanshu, from the right corner, comes with a chain to block the raid machine. 

21' Tamil Thalaivas 13-20 Jaipur Pink Panthers

An empty raid from both sides to start the final 20 minutes. 

HALF-TIME! Tamil Thalaivas 13-20 Jaipur Pink Panthers

It’s been all about the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the first half! While Arjun Deshwal has had a quieter outing by his lofty standards, Neeraj Narwal has stepped up brilliantly to take charge. The Jaipur defense has been sharp, holding its shape and not leaking unnecessary points, which has kept the Thalaivas under constant pressure.

For the Tamil Thalaivas, it has been a frustrating half. Four self-inflicted errors have cost them dearly, mistakes they simply cannot afford in a must-win game. Himanshu has been a bright spot, contributing on both ends of the mat, but even his efforts weren’t enough to avoid an all-out, which has put the Thalaivas in a seven-point deficit.

The Thalaivas have a mountain to climb in the second half, while Jaipur will look to maintain their momentum and seal the game. Can the Thalaivas turn it around, or will Jaipur inch closer to the playoffs? Stay tuned for an exciting second half!

20' Tamil Thalaivas 13-20 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Yet another tackle from Abhishek from the right cover. Saw Abhijeet coming for a running hand touch and immediately pounced with a double thigh hold. 

DO OR DIE RAID FOR TAMIL THALAIVAS! That's very very silly from Sai Prasad. He tries a running hand touch and once again steps out of bounds. This is the second time tonight he has done so. 

What a dash here from Aashish to bring an end to the first half. Rushes down from the left cover to throw Neeraj away. 

18' Tamil Thalaivas 11-19 Jaipur Pink Panthers

A top class block here from Surjeet Singh. Takes down Sai Prasad single handedly from the right cover. 

A great team effort here from the Thalaivas to take Arjun Deshwal down. He tries for a toe touch on the left corner but Abhishek comes from the cover for a block and was well supported by the other defenders. 

16' Tamil Thalaivas 10-18 Jaipur Pink Panthers

First tackle point for Reza as he dashes Himanshu out of the court. 

ALL OUT! The Panthers inflict the first blow as Abhishek, the last man standing for the Thalaivas surrenders himself to Neeraj. 

Arjun Deshwal gets a quick bonus under the left corner.  

14' Tamil Thalaivas 10-13 Jaipur Pink Panthers

SUPER TACKLE! Arjun Deshwal goes to the bench. Tries a kick on Himanshu at the right corner but ends up giving his ankle. Support comes in time. However, the Thalaivas defender went out of courts as well to give a point to Panthers as well. 

Himanshu now contributes in raiding as well as he gets a touch on Ankush Rathee at the left corner. 

An easy point here for Neeraj Narwal as he goes in deep at the right corner to get a touch on Sai Prasad. 

12' Tamil Thalaivas 7-11 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Arjun Deshwal goes in deep at the left corner and Oh man! Nitesh Kumar, while going back found his feet behind the backline giving Panthers a free point. 

DO OR DIE RAID FOR TAMIL THALAIVAS! Sachin Tanwar tries for a running hand touch on the right corner but Ronak was ready with a brilliant double thigh hold. 

10' Tamil Thalaivas 7-9 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Ankush Rathee gets on the scorecard with his trademark ankle hold to take down Sai Prasad at the left corner. 

Himanshu replies with an easy bonus between the right corner and the right in. 

DO OR DIE RAID FOR JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS! Abhijeet Malik goes in deep at the left corner which brings Aashish for a dash from the right cover. But the raider was quick to escape as he manages to get his hand past the midline right in time. 

8' Tamil Thalaivas 6-7 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Sai Prasad goes in for a running hand touch on the right corner but is blocked down by Reza. However, the raider had already stepped out of bounds and thus Reza won't get this tackle point to his name. 

A fine running hand touch by Abhijeet Malik on Abhishek Manokaran at the right cover. It was a touch and go decision but the referee deems it in favor of the Panthers. 

Himanshu responds with a running hand touch of his own on Reza at the left cover. 

Nitesh Kumar is leading from the front with another tackle point. A perfect ankle hold on Neeraj Narwal at the left corner. 

6' Tamil Thalaivas 4-5 Jaipur Pink Panthers

A quick bonus here from Neeraj Narwal under the nose of the right corner. 

4' Tamil Thalaivas 4-4 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Poor from Abhijeet Malik now as he runs out of bounds while attempting a running hand touch. 

What a dash here from the veteran Surjeet Singh! Sachin tries to kick at the left corner but Surjeet comes from the right cover to dash the raider out. 

A flying touch here from Neeraj Narwal to get his first point of the night. Gets one on Aashish at the left cover. 

Sai Prasad gets his first point too with a running hand touch on Surjeet Singh at the right cover. 

2' Tamil Thalaivas 2-2 Jaipur Pink Panthers

Empty raid from Sachin to start the proceedings whereas Arjun Deshwal kicks off with a running hand touch on Amir Hossein at the right corner. 

First successful tackle of the game as Arjun Deshwal is taken down by a block from Nitesh Kumar from the right corner. However, he got a bonus though to share points. 

DO OR DIE RAID FOR TAMIL THALAIVAS! OHH! Unfortunate here for the Panthers as Ronak managed to take down Sai Prasad but found his foot out of bounds before. 

Moein Shafaghi is not a part of Tamil Thalaivas lineup tonight, not even the subs. No confirmation yet on the reason behind this but it's a big setback for them in this do-or-die encounter. 

Tamil Thalaivas
Playing 7: Nitesh Kumar, Aashish, Abhishek Manokaran, Himanshu, Sai Prasad, Amir Hossein, Sachin
Bench: Sahil Gulia, Ronak, Narender Kandola, Anuj Gawade, Sourabh Fagare, Ranjith Chandran, Nitin Chandel

Jaipur Pink Panthers
Playing 7: Reza Mirbagheri, Arjun Deshwal, Ankush Rathee, Surjeet Singh, Ronak Singh, Abhijeet Malik, Neeraj Narwal
Bench: Abhishek KS, Lucky Sharma, Amir Hossein, Shrikant Jadhav, K Dharanidharan, Mayank Malik, Aamir Wani

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of Pro Kabaddi League 2024. This is Meeth Agrawal, and tonight promises a gripping encounter at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune as the Tamil Thalaivas take on the Jaipur Pink Panthers. 

Let’s talk about the Thalaivas first. It’s been a tough season for them, languishing at 10th place with just six wins from 18 games. Their playoff hopes hang by the thinnest of threads. A miracle is what they need, but miracles begin with belief, and belief begins with victories. Moein Shafaghi has carried the raiding load admirably in Narender’s absence, while Sachin Tanwar, the league’s costliest player, showed signs of revival in the previous game against Patna Pirates. But one wonders: is it too little, too late?

And then, we have the Jaipur Pink Panthers, still very much in the playoff mix. They sit in eighth place with 54 points, level with Puneri Paltan, and know every game is a final from here on. A thumping win over Gujarat Giants in their last outing has set the tone, with Arjun Deshwal doing what Arjun Deshwal does best - bagging yet another Super 10. Neeraj Narwal chipped in beautifully, and Ankush marshaled the defense with a clinical High 5.

The Pink Panthers have their eyes on the top six, while the Thalaivas have pride to play for. Will the Thalaivas find a spark to ignite their miracle, or will Jaipur continue their march toward the playoffs?

Stay with us as we bring you all the action, drama, and emotion, right here!