3 teams who made the most of home support in Pro Kabaddi League season 4

The demands of the Pro Kabaddi League are second to none as teams end up playing fourteen games in a month’s time, an average of almost a game every second day.

A couple of losses on the trot can really affect a team’s morale, hence it’s imperative that sides try and win as many home games as possible. These sides have their fans to thank to a large extent as their relentless support provided that extra ammunition to the players to give their best every time they’re on the purple mat.

Just like Castrol Activ’s Actibonds protect the engine, even when it is off, and ensure better performance, home fans gives teams some much-needed confidence to take on their opponents, ensuring the teams can fight well and perform consistently at all venues.

The fancied U Mumba, who hadn’t lost a single home game prior to this season, were at the losing end twice this time around. That weak home leg performance eventually cost them a spot in the final four.

We look at teams that made their home ground a fortress in Pro Kabaddi season four -

Puneri Paltan

The side from Maharashtra were forced to move from their home turf to Mumbai this season, but that didn’t stop Manjeet Chhillar and company from putting in an impeccable makeshift home leg performance.

They lost just once in the four games that they played at home, that loss coming against title favourites Patna in what was a nail-biting encounter.

Pune’s owners ensured their players didn’t feel the absence of home supporters as they got along an army of Paltan fans from Pune to Mumbai via buses. Their impact rubbed off brilliantly on the players.

The fans made themselves loud and created a wonderful atmosphere inside NSCI stadium. The orange flags against a black backdrop was a sight to behold. When the Pune fans got going, the walled stadium bounced with melodic cheers.

Jaipur Pink Panthers

Abhishek Bachchan’s side have been lethal this season, as they have punished their opponents for making the smallest of errors. Some would even say that they’ve mirrored their performance in season one when they went on to win the competition.

Their home leg began at the end of June and that’s when the tide turned for them. First, they beat fellow title contenders Telugu Titans and consolidated that with another win over Bengal.

The Panthers lost just one home match, which was against Pune. That match could have gone either way, as Jaipur lost out by just 5 points.

Known as the Pink army, the Jaipur fans are known to create a vibrant and boisterous atmosphere, immediately creating an imposing setting for opposition stadiums at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Along with their owner Abhishek Bachchan, they create a platform for their team to thrive.

Telugu Titans

The men in yellow won two of their four home games and were at the wrong end of two thrilling finishes, losing by a combined total of 4 points. They lost to a stellar Patna side by a mere two points and went down to an unfancied Bengaluru Bulls side by the same margin.

Though they lost these two crucial matches, they did so by less than seven points, helping The Titans pick up two crucial points, so it wasn’t all gloom and doom.

The Gachibowli Indoor Stadium did its every best to back their team as people came in numbers and filled up the tight stadium to ensure they acted as the 8th man on the mat. Even celebrity fans like PV Sindhu and Rana Daggubanti were very loud and proud in their support as their team didn’t disappoint them

A mention here also goes to Patna Pirates, who just like Telugu Titans, lost 2 and won 2 of their 4 home matches. However, the margin of defeat was higher for them, which saw them lose out on the points teams get if they lose matches by less than 7 points.

The Pataliputra Sports Complex in Patna has been one of the most boisterous crowds in Pro Kabaddi League, with matches getting sold out in minutes. Getting tickets to the stadium is sometimes as difficult as scoring points for opponents as fans come in huge numbers to support their Pirates.

Call it coincidence, but the four semi-finalists of season 4 of Pro Kabaddi League have the best home records. Clearly, fanatic home fans have helped teams perform better!

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