Pro Kabaddi: 3 recent instances when a team scored 40 or more points yet lost the match

The Pro Kabaddi League has revolutionized the sport of kabaddi ever since its inception. A lot of unknown faces have become celebrities because of the platform that this tournament has given and one of the reasons behind the success of PKL has been the high quality of kabaddi that the fans get to witness every night. All the players give their all just for the sake of their franchise's win.

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With the evolution of the sport, the points system has also changed and nowadays, the teams focus on building a lead strategically rather than going all out on the opposition straightaway. Because of this change in ideology, the number of high-scoring matches has reduced. In a match which lasts 40 minutes, it is a big achievement for any team to cross the 40-points mark.

However, there have been instances where the teams scored over 40 points in a particular match and still lost the match. Here are the 3 most recent occasions where a team lost, despite putting in their best efforts:

#3 Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Dabang Delhi K.C. - Match 73, PKL 7

Naveen Kumar scored 16 raid points for Dabang Delhi K.C.

Chandran Ranjit kicked off the proceedings with a 5-point raid in the 1st minute of the match as the fans in attendance knew that they were set to witness a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Dabang Delhi K.C. quickly inflicted the all-out on the Jaipur Pink Panthers and because of the poor form of Deepak Niwas Hooda's side, it seemed like Delhi will crush them in this match.

However, the Pink Panthers came back like champions with all-rounder Nitin Rawal leading them from the front. Soon, the Jaipur-based franchise inflicted an all-out on Dabang Delhi K.C. with Rawal pulling off a Super Raid to reduce the score difference to 1.

The teams traded points for a while before the Pink Panthers gained momentum and completed yet another all-out. The Season One champions had a 9-point lead heading into the final 9 minutes of the match and then, Dabang Delhi K.C.'s all-rounder Vijay pulled off a Super Raid out of nowhere to turn the tables.

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Naveen Kumar scored raid points quickly to send the Pink Panthers on the verge of an all-out. The lead went in Delhi's favour once again when they inflicted an all-out in the final minute. Ultimately, the match ended with the scoreline 46-44 in favour of the capital city.

#2 Bengal Warriors vs Bengaluru Bulls - Match 24, PKL 7

Another occasion from the current season where both the teams crossed the 40-point mark and the game produced a winner was when Bengaluru Bulls defeated Bengal Warriors by 1 point. The Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna was silent as the home team, Patna Pirates had lost their opening home leg encounter played prior to this match but the Warriors and Bulls ensured that the dead crowd comes alive with their aggressive kabaddi.

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Bengal Warriors gained a 10-point lead thanks to the all-out they inflicted in the 10th minute. Captain Maninder Singh and secondary raider, K. Prapanjan troubled the defenders a lot. However, the high-flyer Pawan Sehrawat turned the tables with his raiding skills. In the closing moments of the first half, Sehrawat pulled off a Super Raid in a 1 vs 3 situation to complete his Super 10 and inflict an all-out on Bengal.

The Kolkata-based franchise gained momentum once more as the trio of Singh, Prapanjan and Mohammad Nabibakhsh grew their team's lead to 9 once again. Pawan Sehrawat and Saurabh Nandal then joined forces to reduce the lead which ultimately led to Bengal Warriors being all-out in the 36th minute.

With the scores tied at 40-40 and with 5 minutes left on the clock, the Rohit Kumar-led side kept their calm to win the match by 1 point. At full time, the scoreline read 43-42 in Bengaluru Bulls' favour. Pawan Sehrawat scored 29 raid points in this match to ensure that the Super 10s of Prapanjan and Maninder go in vain.

#1 Patna Pirates vs Bengaluru Bulls - Match 42, PKL 6

Surprisingly, Pardeep Narwal scored only 3 raid points in this match!

When an encounter featuring Patna Pirates produces a combined total of 84 points in 40 minutes, one expects Pardeep Narwal to score a minimum of 10 raid points in this match. However, this was not the case in Season 6 when the 3-time winners locked horns with Rohit Kumar's Bengaluru Bulls at the Patliputra Sports Complex.

Patna's secondary raiders, Deepak Narwal and Manjeet scored 10 points each as the fans in Patna enjoyed the rise of their new heroes.

The home team inflicted the first all-out of the match in the 18th minute when the last man standing, Sumit Singh was tackled by the defence. In spite of this all-out, Patna only had a solitary point lead. Soon, Rohit Kumar executed a Super Raid to send Patna on the verge of an all-out. Pawan Sehrawat completed the formalities as Bengaluru Bulls built a lead of 6 points.

The aggression of both the teams crossed limits as the officials had to issue multiple green cards in the match. Manjeet then inspired Patna's comeback with a Super Raid and then he completed an all-out soon to equal the scores. Sehrawat's 3-point raid gave the Bulls the momentum as Patna could not get the lead back after that Super Raid.

In a match which saw Rohit Kumar receiving a yellow card, Bengaluru Bulls edged Patna Pirates 43-41 to leave the Patna fans disappointed.

Also Watch - Pro Kabaddi Video Highlights: Patna Pirates Vs Bengaluru Bulls | Match 42, 31st October

Which of these matches entertained you the most? Share your answers in the comments box below.