Puneri Paltan put in an impressive all-round performance to get the better of the defending champions Bengaluru Bulls 31-23, to record their 3rd win in as many games this season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday. Puneri Paltan's captain, Surjeet Singh notched up 6 Tackle Points and All-Rounder Manjeet proved to be the leading raider of the match with 7 Raid Points as Paltan moved off from the bottom of the league standings with the win.
To follow live scores with commentary please click on the link: Pro Kabaddi Live commentary and score updates
Pune get Pawan Sehrawat 6 times to score a big win against Bulls
{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/IQQa0IfVvF0.jpg","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQQa0IfVvF0","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":1},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive, autoplaying)."]}
The momentum of the match seemed to be well in balance despite Puneri Paltan's slim, 2-point lead at 6-4. However, Bengaluru Bulls' star raider, Pawan Sehrawat dismissed Jadhav Shahaji to bring the scoreline on level terms at 7-7 in the 13th minute of First Half. With that raid Point, Pawan became the first player to reach 100 Raid Points this season. Soon after, Paltan's All-Rounder Manjeet dismissed him to reach the milestone of 100 Successful Raids in PKL. As the end of the First Half approached, both the teams fetched points out of Do or Die match-situations. Puneri Paltan looked all set to end the First Half with a 1-point lead over Bengaluru Bulls, but the new Raid Points' centurion, Pawan Sehrawat dismissed Paltan's captain Surjeet Singh to end the first period with the score at 10-10.
An all round string of performances from Puneri Paltan that had some formidable Defensive displays and some efficient Raiding, thwarted off Bengaluru Bulls' efforts to stage a comeback in the Second Half.
Post Half Time, Puneri Paltan were on the offensive front as they downed Bengaluru Bulls' Raid Points centurion, Pawan Sehrawat and captain Rohit Kumar. Moments later, Paltan's All-Rounder Manjeet dismissed Bulls' defenders - Ankit and Ajay, in a 2-point Do or Die Raid, reducing the defending champions to two men on the mat. Soon after Jadhav Shahaji brought down Bulls' raider Banty, Manjeet struck again as he dismissed the last man Amit Sheoran to inflict the first All-Out on Bengaluru Bulls, to take the huge 8-point lead. With both - the score at 19-11 and momentum in favor of Puneri Paltan, they seized reasonable control over the game.
Also Watch: Kabaddi skills - Learn running hand touch from Puneri Paltan season 6 coach, Ashan Kumar
An all-round string of performances from Puneri Paltan that had some formidable Defensive displays and some efficient raiding thwarted off Bengaluru Bulls' efforts to stage a comeback in the Second Half. The final few minutes of the second period saw Bulls' Banty register a 2-point Raid, ousting Paltan's captain Surjeet Singh and Shubham Shinde to light up a ray of hope for his side. However, Paltan's substitute Amit Kumar brilliantly dismissed Bulls' Left Corner Saurabh Nandal and Amit Sheoran in a 2-point Do or Die Raid, totally shutting down the defending champions' possibilities of turning things around in the contest with the score at 30-18.
Shortly afterward, Bengaluru Bulls' captain Rohit Kumar's Raid saw him register 650 Points in PKL following which he dismissed Puneri Paltan's captain Surjeet Singh and Jadhav Shahaji in what seemed to be a consolation 2-point Raid. Anup Kumar's troops put in a disciplined and balanced all-round display on the night as they registered a convincing 8-point victory over defending champions, Bengaluru Bulls.
Match Preview: Puneri Paltan targeting a return to winning ways against Bengaluru Bulls
Winless in 3 straight games, Puneri Paltan will be looking to end their losing streak with a victory over defending champions, Bengaluru Bulls at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.
Puneri Paltan enter this match on the back of a dramatic draw against the home side, Tamil Thalaivas. Meanwhile, their opponents, Bengaluru Bulls enter the fixture after a dominating victory over the home team Thalaivas.
Anup Kumar's side were denied the win on account of a brilliant comeback from their opponents in the last match. Puneri Paltan's captain and Right Cover, Surjeet Singh notched up 7 Tackle Points in that game. So far in this season he holds the 2nd best figures of Super Tackles (4). He, alongwith Hadi Tajik and Girish Maruti Ernak will be keen on shielding the defense against the likes of Bulls' raiding unit including main man, Pawan Sehrawat.
All rounder Manjeet's combined contribution to Paltan's Raiding and Defensive units would be effective while countering Bulls' offense and in exploiting their defense.
As far as Puneri Paltan's offensive unit is concerned, Pankaj Mohite has proven to be their leading raider, with 3rd best figures of Successful Raid Percentage (49%) after Ankit Beniwal's (Tamil Thalaivas) and Naveen Kumar's (Dabang Delhi K.C.) joint 2nd best figure (50%). Star Raider, Nitin Tomar, who has had a quiet season so far, and Manjeet must shoulder the responsibility for offensive duties against Bengaluru Bulls.
On the other hand, Bengaluru Bulls are brimming with fine form after upsetting the home side, Tamil Thalaivas in what was a comprehensive, 32-21 victory in the opening match of Chennai leg.
Pawan Sehrawat recorded his 5th Super 10 of PKL 7 while Saurabh Nandal scored his 2nd High 5 of the campaign, as Bulls halted their 2-game losing streak in that match. Regaining their lost form, Bulls will be a strong, balanced opposition in a good form against Puneri Paltan on Wednesday.
Puneri Paltan can be seen as a defensive side than an offensive one, given the relatively higher Successful Tackle Rate (44%). Puneri Paltan are expected to rely upon this strength against an in-form opposition in Bengaluru Bulls.
Head to head: Puneri Paltan vs Bengaluru Bulls
Who Will Win | Bengaluru Bulls take on Puneri Paltan
{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/J84Cam_wjuk.jpg","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J84Cam_wjuk","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":1},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive, autoplaying)."]}
