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Puneri Paltan takes on beleaguered champions Jaipur Pink Panthers in a basement clash in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi season 2 today at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna. Pune’s resurgence came to a quick halt when they went down to hosts Patna Pirates yesterday by just four points.
The Paltans have gone down with narrow margins on four occasions this campaign. Although the close defeats have earned them four extra points, it is time the Paltans begin to rack up wins if they are to make it to the semi-finals. The defending champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers, are in real danger of bowing out at the group stage and so the Paltans will have it no easy against the men from Jaipur.
Here are four things which Puneri Paltan needs to do to convert their close defeats into wins and beat the Jaipur Pink Panthers today:
1. Wazir needs rediscover his mojo
Wazir Singh has been chipping away with few points in the last few games, but his performances in the last couple of games have been below his own high standards. The skipper needs to rediscover his mojo and lead his side from front. Wazir has a perfect chance to do so against a Jaipur defence which has been struggling of late. He is a match winner and his team needs him to live up to his expectations today.
2. Red-hot Newale to continue his good form
By far Pune’s pick of the players in the last couple of games, Pravin Newale has come to life at the right time for Pune. With a huge experience to back his skill, Newale has assumed a key role in the Paltan set-up. Having earned 16 points in his last two games, Pravin Newale is the man to watch out for, for the Jaipur Pink Panthers. If he and Wazir are on song, the champions are in for a long night.
3. A cohesive defensive display
Defence has been a concern for Pune all season long and has let them down time and time again throughout the course of the season. There have been some really good individual displays, but rest of the team hasn’t been able to support well. Manoj Kumar had a good game against Patna yesterday, but Ravi Kumar had an off day. It was a reverse case against the Bengal Warriors the other day. The Paltan needs to hunt in packs and need cohesion in their defence. With some top raiders in their ranks, a solid defensive performance from the Paltans will, all but, guarantee a win.
4. Watch out for Jasvir Singh
Jasveer Singh has been one of the best raiders of Pro Kabaddi Season 2 and the shining light in an otherwise dull campaign for the Pink Panthers. With 31 raid points already to his name this season, Jasvir will provide the fragile Puneri defence with a stern test. If the Paltans can pass this test, they will take a major step towards winning this game.
