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One title and four contenders, is that unjust? Well, it’s not. In fact, it is the actual beauty of a tournament where you have to come up better than the best before you can pose a picture holding the trophy. That was for the players, but now it is time for the supporters as the second season enters the knock-out stage.
The tournament, which has been full of entertainment for more than a month is now looking for the team which will lift the title. Another season of the Pro Kabaddi League is all set to wrap up on August 23rd, but before that a thrilling contest between teams finishing among the top 4 on the league table is on the cards. It would be prudent to reset the league table, as it won’t matter now who finished top or who came fourth in the leaderboard – the team needs to come up with the best on that particular day will end up winning the title.
In the last few matches, where the race for the playoffs became quite furious, it was seen that teams did not go for any unnecessary risks keeping in mind that every point from there on would make the difference. It was observed that teams went for points in do-or-die raids only. This strategy may have earned a team their place in the final four, but now it is time when, not just do-or-die raids, but the entire 40-minute course of action is going to matter.
How the teams look
We can call the matches in playoffs as do-or-die matches as if you win, you are through to the next stage, but an off day would see you pack your bags and depart for home.
Like season 1, U Mumba were lethal and continued to put on a good show in season 2 and helped themselves to top spot in the league table yet again. They have won the most matches – 12 out of 14. The team is surely going to be the favourites like last year, but it would be interesting to see if they can hold their nerves in the playoffs or if they have used up all of their luck in the group stage.
Telugu Titans have proved to be a serious threat to the opposition every time they stepped in and tackling them any lighter would be the biggest mistake the opponents could commit. They are the team with the highest raid points in the tournament, while they are 1 of just 2 teams to have beaten U Mumba this season.
Bengaluru Bulls have been in the top 4 for most of the season, but have suffered defeats when it was expected they would win with ease. This makes the match between them and the Titans even more interesting and leads one to question whether Manjeet’s Bulls will be able to make the semis this time, having lost both their playoff matches last year to finish 4th.
It has been an inconsistent tournament for Patna Pirates, but they still managed to book a place in the final four knocking out Jaipur in the virtual quater finals. Having finished 3rd last season, they have experience of the knockout stages and won’t give up with any ease and promise to put on a great fight in a game that promises to be unpredictable till the final buzzer.
What the point table suggests is a thing of the past now. It’s time when teams dust themselves off and make a fresh start. It cannot be predicted who beats who, but one thing that is for sure is that these do-or-die matches will serve the spectators with unlimited action and an extremely thrilling contest. The knockout action begins on August 21st. Don’t miss it.
