'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAIAQEAAAAABa//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAGf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAEDEAAAAFP/xAAiEAABAwMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEBhESAAVSBxMiNNL/2gAIAQEAAT8Arai9o2ybHfdVx6GbaxSh4JbtCWQChrcgsPHimg6OUq8AupFe80y9p361/8QAGhEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAxETQf/aAAgBAgEBPwChBtdODE//xAAcEQABAwUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAAECBBIhYaH/2gAIAQMBAT8AJSCtjjr6X//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On the second day of playoffs the Bengal Warriors were pitted against the newly PKL debutants Gujarat Fortunegiants in the first qualifier where the latter were too hot to handle for the boys from Bengal and emerged winners with the scoreline reading 42-17.
Whereas in the second game of the evening the winners from last night locked horns with defending champions knocking out Puneri Paltans 42-32. Let us have a look at the top 5 performers from the night.
#5 Mahendra Rajput (Gujarat Fortunegiants)
A selection that surprised many when coach Manpreet Singh handed Mahendra Rajput a place in the starting 7 ahead of regulars Sukesh Hegde and Chandran Ranjit turned to be inspiring in the end. Mahendra Rajput dealt telling blows in the first half where the teams were evenly matched by continuously attacking the left in of the Bengal Warriors and catching the defence off-guard on more than one occasion. Usually brought in as a substitute throughout the campaign, Rajput didn't disappoint his coach Manpreet as he notched up 8 raid points on the night.
#4 Sachin Tanwar (Gujarat Fortunegiants)
The 18-year-old has been an absolute revelation in PKL 5 for the Ahmedabad-based franchise. In the absence of senior pro Sukesh Hegde the youngster put his hand up and has evolved beautifully under the tutelage of his ONGC and Fortunegiants' coach Manpreet Singh. The first qualifier was no different as Sachin was tough to bring down for the Bengal defence. With just four points separating the two sides Sachin scored 7 raid points in the second half and his overall tally of 9 raid points were instrumental in ensuring his side's qualification for the finals.
#3 Abozar Mighani (Gujarat Fortunegiants)
The Iranian duo of Abozar Mighani and Fazel Atrachali are tough customers for any raiding unit to face and it was no different in the first qualifier as both combined ever so well. Abozar was instrumental in neutralising the threat of the Korean star raider Jang Kun Lee and when the cover pairing of Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal initiated a tackle Abozar was quick to lend support and pounce upon the raider. The combination tackles of Gujarat were nothing short of a masterclass and Abozar with his 4 points was an absolute rock at the back.
#2 Deepak Niwas Hooda (Puneri Paltan)
Deepak Niwas Hooda's valiant performance went in vain as his side failed to give him enough support to get past the defending champions Patna Pirates. With a total of 9 points Deepak was the best player on the mat for Puneri Paltan. His performance in the first half of the game helped Paltan to finish the half with a 7-point lead but with Patna's defence coming into its own in the second half, Hooda's heroics were not enough to take his side over the winning line.
#1 Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates)
Pardeep Narwal was absolutely relentless as he put in 24 raids and in the process amassing 19 raid points. He continued his rich vein of form and started from where he left off against the Haryana Steelers and took his raid points tally to a massive 327 points. Patna were 6 points behind with just 7 minutes left on the clock but with a sensational four point raid Pardeep swung the balance in the favour of his side and ensured Patna have a shot at a final spot.
