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Patna Pirates kept the battle for the last semi-final spot alive after thumping hosts Puneri Paltan 38-21 yesterday and now come up against defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers in a straight face-off for the last elusive semi-final berth. Meanwhile, Jaipur Pink Panthers, who were shell-shocked by Bengal Warriors on Sunday, have had two days to regroup and get their act together once again.
And that is precisely what the Pink Panthers have been up to and they have left no stone unturned in their preparations for their make-or-break match against the Patna Pirates, according to star raider Rajesh Narwal.
Speaking to Sportskeeda ahead of the game, Rajesh spoke about how the defeat to Bengal Warriors gave them a reality check which allowed to them to iron out the errors in their game.
“We have been training hard since the past two days. We were facing some problems down our left side which our coach has helped us address. So, now we are in a good shape and looking forward to the game which is the first of the three finals for us,” Rajesh Narwal said.
“The coach has been my pillar of strength”
When asked about any potential danger men, whom the Pink Panthers will have to be wary of, Rajesh refused to single out any player and hailed the quality of the Pirates’ squad.
“Patna is a young team. They are missing their main man Rakesh Kumar, but the rest of the players are good with few weaknesses, so we must be careful and deal with that threat,” warned Rajesh.
The raider was quick to heap praise on his coach Kasinath Baskaran and called him a friend, philosopher and a guide. “We are here because of our coach. He is like a father to us, but sometimes also like a friend. I dedicate my success to him as he has always been my pillar of strength.”
Rajesh Narwal himself carried the Pink Panthers at times and the men from Jaipur will be hoping he would have saved his best for the last. Champions always perform when it matters the most, so as the group stage draws to a close, there can’t be a bigger occasion for Jaipur Pink Panthers and Rajesh Narwal to deliver the goods.
Jaipur Pink Panthers will take on Patna Pirates at 8pm on 19th August at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex with the winner moving to the semi-finals.
