'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The third week of VIVO Pro Kabaddi 2019 was no short of excitement which produced some breathtaking encounters and epic comebacks. The hosts Patna Pirates won one out of their four matches at home leg in the Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna.
After failing against Jaipur Pink Panthers (21-34), Puneri Paltan (20-41), and Haryana Steelers (26-35), Patna Pirates crushed UP Yoddha to end the leg on a high note.
'Record-breaker' Pardeep Narwal became the 'Ultra-Tech number one player of the home team' as he scored 41 raid points from four matches at his home leg. He crossed the 900th raid point mark against Haryana Steelers and now has 58 raid points in seven games played till now.
After Patna leg, Pawan Sehrawat holds the green arm-band with 70 raid points in five matches. Patna Pirates' left corner Jaideep has now the orange arm-band with 24 tackle points in seven games.
Based on consistent performances made by the teams in the third week, let's have a look at three teams which look capable of winning the Pro Kabaddi title after Patna leg.
#3 Dabang Delhi K.C.
The table-toppers in the points table after Patna leg, Dabang Delhi K.C. has emerged as a consistent team in VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 7. They played a single game in Patna leg against Jaipur Pink Panthers and ended the 4-match winning streak for Panthers (35-24).
While the big match raiders from various opposition were struggling against Jaipur's lethal corner defense, Naveen Goyat outsmarted their tactics by scoring 12 raid points. He got aided in the offense with the super 10 of Chandran Ranjit. Ravinder Pahal scored three tackle points while Saeid Ghaffari, Joginder Narwal, and Vishal Mane took one tackle point each.
Delhi has remained a tough side to defeat this season with the young Naveen Goyat leading the offense from the front. They have a balanced defense with potential players in the backup as well. If everything goes well for the team, Delhi could pave their way towards their first-ever title.
#2 Bengal Warriors
Bengal Warriors have been an attacking team with a composed defense this season. They have the best score difference in the points table (+50) in comparison to others and stand at the fifth spot in the points table.
They missed sealing a victory against Bengaluru Bulls (42-43) courtesy of just a one point deficit in Patna leg. While Bulls' Pawan Sehrawat led the game single-handedly, Bengal Warriors had an all-round performance with Super 10s from K Prapanjan and Maninder Singh. Mohammad Nabibakhsh contributed as a complete all-rounder with six raid and two tackle points.
Bengal faced U Mumba in their second match of Patna leg where Baldev Singh led the defense by an example with a High-5. Jeeva Kumar took four tackle points with contributions from Prapanjan and Maninder Singh in the offense by which Bengal managed to defeat Mumba after three seasons of VIVO Pro Kabaddi (32-30).
Bengal Warriors have inflicted 11 all-outs and have the most raid points as a team (105) in Season 7. Led by the calculative Maninder Singh, K Prapanjan and M Nabibakhsh have played the role of supportive raiders. Their defense looks bold with Baldev Singh who has already scored 3 'High-5s' in five matches. If things go as planned, Bengal might be chasing their first title of Pro Kabaddi League.
#1 Bengaluru Bulls
Defending champions Bengaluru Bulls have consolidated their position in the points table with four wins as they stand at the 3rd spot in the points table. 'High-flyer' Pawan Sehrawat has been phenomenal yet again with 70 raid points to his name in five games at an outstanding average of 14 raid points per game.
They edged out Bengal Warriors (42-43) with a 1-point victory over them in the third week. Pawan Sehrawat record the third-highest score by any Pro Kabaddi player in history with 29 raid points in that game! Not to forget, their emerging right corner in Saurabh Nandal who scored six tackle points to silence Bengal's offense.
Bengaluru Bulls also registered a one-sided victory over Telugu Titans in their second match of Patna leg (26-47). Pawan scored 13 raid points and four crucial tackle points showing a glimpse of his all-round ability. Captain Rohit Kumar supported him in the offense with seven raid points while 'Bulldozer' Mahender Singh scored his first High-5 of Season 7. Vijay Kumar got three tackle points with Mohit Sehrawat and Amit Sheoran scoring two tackle points each.
Bengaluru Bulls have emerged as a stronger team than last season with Pawan Sehrawat winning their games single-handedly and reputable contributions from the defense. A second consecutive title might be up for grabs for Bengaluru this season.
