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The ninth week of Pro Kabaddi 2019 concluded at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex as a part of Puneri Paltan's home leg. The hosts managed to win two games at home out of four with a tie and a loss in home leg matches.
Puneri Paltan kickstarted with a win over Gujarat Fortune Giants (43-33). They lost to Patna Pirates in the next outing (33-55) followed with a tied game versus Tamil Thalaivas (36-36). Puneri Paltan defeated the defending champions Bengaluru Bulls (42-38) to end the leg on a high note.
Debutant Pankaj Mohite scored 35 raid points in four games at Pune leg as the top scorer from Puneri Paltan. Skipper PO Surjeet Singh scored 17 tackle points to be the best defender of the home team.
As the tenth week of Pro Kabaddi 2019 has moved to Jaipur, let us review the top three teams who can win the title after the completion of Pune leg.
#3 U Mumba
In the first half of the season, U Mumba struggled to find a definite leader in the offence while their defence made mistakes. Safe to say, U Mumba found their lead raider in Abhishek Singh who has emerged as a stalwart this season. Skipper Fazel Atrachali and Sandeep Narwal have remained consistent thus far.
U Mumba ended the 5-match winning streak of UP Yoddha when they met each other in Mumba's single match of Pune leg. Abhishek Singh scored his 4th Super10 of the season with 11 raid points to his name. Arjun Deshwal contributed as the support raider of the side with seven raid points.
In the defence, Surinder Singh made his presence felt with 2nd High-5 of the season (six tackle points). Skipper Fazel Atrachali scored three tackle points. The team remained composed as they defeated UP Yoddha (39-36).
U Mumba with their offence working can become one of the most dominant sides this season. Their defence is rock-solid and Abhishek Singh leading the charge, they can win their second Pro Kabaddi title this season.
#2 Bengal Warriors
Bengal Warriors have remained a cohesive unit this season with a well-settled line-up of star performers. Led by Maninder Singh in the offence, the likes of K Prapanjan and Mohammad Nabibakhsh have raided without pressure and have contributed significantly. The young corner defence of Rinku Narwal and Baldev Singh have remained composed this season.
Bengal Warriors faced Haryana Steelers after an unbeaten home outing in Kolkata leg. Maninder Singh went berserk against the defence of Haryana with 18 raid points to his name. K Prapanjan and Nabibakhsh scored seven and five raid points respectively. Baldev Singh scored six tackle points against a raiding side led by Vikash Khandola. Warriors outsmarted Steelers with the scoreline (48-36).
One of the prime contenders this season, Bengal Warriors have been an exciting unit coached under BC Ramesh. They will be one of the toughest teams to beat in the playoffs this season.
#1 Dabang Delhi K.C.
Table-toppers Dabang Delhi K.C. had a fantastic run at the Pune leg with two successive wins in two matches for them. They have remained a consistent side this season with their raiding sensation in 'Dabang Express' Naveen Goyat leading the offence.
Dabang Delhi K.C. squared off against Gujarat Fortune Giants in their first match of Pune leg. Despite Rohit Gulia's epic comeback in the second half, Delhi remained composed in the defence and Naveen Kumar's 13th consecutive Super10. Vijay aided the raiding with five raid points to his name. Vishal Mane and skipper Joginder Narwal scored three tackle points each to give Delhi win (34-30) over Gujarat.
Dabang Delhi K.C. faced Telugu Titans in their next match of Pune leg where Naveen Goyat once again starred in the offence for Delhi with 12 raid points. Vijay once again provided decent support to the team with four raid and two tackle points. Anil Kumar and Ravinder Pahal gained four tackle points each leading them to victory (29-37).
Dabang Delhi K.C. at the top of the points table has remained unstoppable with Naveen Goyat's Super10s and a dependable defensive unit. They are one of the strongest sides heading into the playoffs this season.
