Patna Pirates began their Star Sports Pro Kabaddi season 3 campaign with a slender 29-28 win over Jaipur Pink Panthers. Pardeep Narwal and Jasvir Singh top scored with 11 points each, but the latter’s efforts went in vain as they failed to make it 2 wins in 2 after they beat U Mumba yesterday.
Jasvir Singh started the proceedings in the first raid itself, but Sonu Narwal was tackled by the alert Pirates’ defence in the very next minute. Both the teams exchanged a point each as the scorecard read 2-2 in the 5th minute. However, Jaipur took a 3-point lead through energetic Jasvir’s raid and Rohit Rana’s tackle on Rohit Kumar while Manpreet Singh’s unsuccessful raid brought Pirates down to just 2 men.
However, Sunil Kumar single-handedly brought Jasvir down for a super tackle as the Panthers’ lead was cut down to just 2 points. Kuldeep Singh helped his team increase their lead, but Sandeep Narwal tackled Rajesh Narwal for another two points for a super tackle to ensure the Panthers didn’t take an unassailable lead.
The scores were tied at 9-9 with just 5 minutes to go in the half. Another super tackle ensued, this time Suresh Kumar’s strength was too much to handle for Kuldeep as the Pirates took a slender lead. Both the teams exchanged blows for the remainder of the half as Patna went into the half leading Jaipur 14-12.
HT: Patna Pirates 14-12 Jaipur Pink Panthers
An exciting end to the match
The second half began with a bang as the two Jaipur defenders tackled Rohit Kumar to level the score. Pardeep Narwal conjured up the raid of the match as he returned with a super raid and also reduced Jaipur to just 1 man, who was taken down in the next minute as Jaipur Pink Panthers suffered the first all out of the match as Patna took a 4-point lead. Jasvir Singh was the lone wolf putting up a fight for the Jaipur Pink Panthers.
With 10 minutes to go in the match, Patna Pirates were leading by 2 points, but the season 1 champions had Jasvir on the mat. Captain Sandeep Narwal took matters into his own hands, literally, as he held Jasvir in his half as his team breathed a huge sigh of relief. With both teams separated by just 2 points, Pardeep delivered yet again after his raid earned the Pirates 3 points and reducing the opponents to just 3 men.
Rajesh Narwal, however, revived his teammate after coming up with a super tackle as the Pirates’ lead was reduced to 3 with 4 minutes left on the clock. Rajesh reduced the deficit to just 1 point with a minute left on the clock.
The final minute saw Jaipur Pink Panthers level the score and an opportunity to sneak a win as Jasvir was revived with 20 seconds left on the clock. The vivacious raider was, however, smartly caught by Sunil Kumar to ensure the Pirates start their campaign with a win.
FT: Patna Pirates 29-28 Jaipur Pink Panthers
