Bengaluru Bulls Vs Puneri Paltan 07 February 2024

Full-Time
Bengaluru Bulls 31 - 40 Puneri Paltan

At half-time, the Paltan were leading by five points, had only two men on the mat, and left the door wide open for a Bulls' comeback. However, for most of the 2nd half, Saurabh Nandal's side was left chasing the Paltan's tails as they were simply unstoppable!

Akash Shinde complemented Aslam Inamdar in the raiding department as the defense also joined the party, with Gaurav Khatri in particular, having a solid 2nd half. The Bulls just couldn't recover from the Paltan's early burst in the 2nd half, and Sushil's moment of brilliance, while helpful in reducing the score difference, simply came too late in the match.

Pune move to the top of the points table with that win as the Bulls' playoff hopes take a massive hit after this result. However, Aslam Inamdar and Co.'s stay at the top could be short-lived as the Jaipur Pink Panthers are in action next against the hosts Dabang Delhi KC in a blockbuster clash to close out this Delhi leg.

Click here to catch the complete coverage of that contest as I, Shreyas, bid you adieu. Good Night!

2nd Half, 40'
Bengaluru Bulls 31 - 40 Puneri Paltan

High 5 for Parteek, and he gets to it with a brilliant advanced double knee hold to bring the substitute Aditya Shinde down in a Do-or-Die raid. However, at the other end, Gaurav Khatri's good 2nd half continues as he puts in another pinpoint ankle hold to bring Bharat down.

Saurabh Nandal then puts in the tackle to bring the substitute Nitin down, and the Bulls seem to be really enjoying defending in Super Tackle situations.

Wait, just as the game is about to end, Sushil produces a moment of magic! The left raider escapes from two ankle holds coming from the right corner and in before powering through the onrushing left chain to get a 4-point raid.

Aditya Shinde is also tackled in the last raid of the match, as his dubki is blocked by the 2nd line of defense as the final whistle blows!

A quick-fire nine points in the last 100 seconds brings the margin of defeat to nine, but make no mistake, it's another dominant win for the Puneri Paltan, who move back to the top of the table.

2nd Half, 39'
Bengaluru Bulls 21 - 38 Puneri Paltan

Do-or-die raid for Mohit Goyat, and this time, he's successful, using his athleticism to escape from Surjeet Singh's advanced tackle. That'll give him plenty of confidence. The Bulls are down to three now.

Ohh, that's a smart raid from Ran Singh. The veteran all-rounder gets an effortless bonus point in a Do-or-die raid, exchanging smiles with members of the Pune defense in the process. Maybe he should be raiding more.

Another timeout is called, but this game has been done and dusted for a long time. A little under 100 seconds left to play. Can the Paltan get another all-out or will the Bulls reduce the defeat margin?

2nd Half, 36'
Bengaluru Bulls 20 - 37 Puneri Paltan

Akash Shinde can't do much against a really strong thigh hold from Parteek as the Bulls take a timeout. However, immediately post the timeout, Sushil pretty much surrenders to Gaurav Khatri's ankle hold.

Gaurav then gets his third tackle point with another technically sound challenge, absorbing the attempted kick from Akshit, and converting it into a double knee hold.

2nd Half, 34'
Bengaluru Bulls 19 - 35 Puneri Paltan

Ohh, indecision from Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, and it costs the Paltan two points. Bharat seems on course to put in an empty raid, but Shadloui comes around interested in a chain tackle, realizes he's not in the best position to do so and tries to retreat. However, a smart Bharat gets a touch on the hands in the chain, getting a neat multi-point raid.

However, he's tackled in the very next raid as the right side of the defense makes no mistake, and it's the Pune captain Aslam Inamdar who once again initiates the tackle. What a game he's had, nine raid points and two tackle points!

2nd Half, 32'
Bengaluru Bulls 17 - 34 Puneri Paltan

First tackle point of the match for Surjeet Singh as Mohit Goyat's raiding troubles continue, as he's dashed off court after going in too deep on the right.

However, he's immediately revived as Aslam Inamdar times his ankle hold to perfection from the right-in position to bring Akshit down in a do-or-die raid.

2nd Half, 30'
Bengaluru Bulls 15 - 33 Puneri Paltan

We've not seen a lot of Mohammadreza Chiyaneh in this match, and he does well to fix that, putting in two tackles almost effortlessly to send both Sushil and Bharat to the bench in successive raids.

Aslam Inamdar then forces the right chain of the Bulls' defense to retreat, but unfortunately, Akash Choudhary's right knee lands awkwardly while doing so, and he steps past the end line. Even worse, he seemed to be in some pain, and the Bulls will hope it's nothing serious.

A rare couple of empty raids in this half bring about the second timeout, and the Paltan have simply run away with this. It's an 18-point game now, and the Bulls don't seem to have what it takes to reduce the deficit to 7.

2nd Half, 27'
Bengaluru Bulls 15 - 30 Puneri Paltan

The error comes from Ponparthiban who steps past the end-line, and it's easy for Aslam Inamdar to complete the all-out in a 1v2 situation. The Paltan's lead goes up to 15 as they get their first all-out of the match. It's taken some time coming, but they've been unstoppable in the 2nd half.

2nd Half, 26'
Bengaluru Bulls 15 - 26 Puneri Paltan

Bharat is subbed on for the Bulls, and he scores a bonus point immediately, their first of the match. FYI, the Paltan have 10.

However, it doesn't bring about a revival, and they're still down to three. Make that two as Aslam Inamdar makes light work of Surjeet Singh with a strong kick on the veteran defender. 

The Bulls are down to two, but Bharat can't get anything more than a bonus point in his raid.

2nd Half, 24'
Bengaluru Bulls 13 - 25 Puneri Paltan

Gaurav Khatri opens his account for the night with a well-timed ankle hold on Sushil in a 1v4 situation. Akash Shinde is then faced with a Do-or-die raid against a 4-man defense, but he puts in a lightning-quick toe touch that Monu has no chance of escaping from. He is one talented raider this young man!

2nd Half, 22'
Bengaluru Bulls 13 - 23 Puneri Paltan

You're kidding me! A bonus point to start the half for the Paltan as Akash Shinde does it with ease, right under the right corner's nose, and they follow it up with a brilliant Super Tackle to avoid the all-out once again. This time, it's Akash Shinde who puts in the tackle, and with Vikash Khandola also losing his footing, there's no way he's escaping there.

Aslam Inamdar gets revived as a result of that tackle, and he wastes no time targeting Saurabh Nandal in the right corner, and once again, he gets both the bonus point and escapes from the weak challenge.

And just like that, within a minute, the Paltan turn a 5-point lead into a 10-point one, escaping from an all-out situation with ease. Jee, they're such a good team!

Half-Time
Bengaluru Bulls 13 - 18 Puneri Paltan

Those bonus points scored by the Paltan is what's separating the two sides in a very entertaining contest. Sushil Om has impressed in the raiding department for the Bulls in the 2nd phase of the 1st half, but the two Super Tackles for the Paltan just about allowed them to hold on to their lead.

The Paltan have struggled to get touch points, and as a result, they have had fewer players on the court for a bulk of the match, and that's something they'd want to set right. The Bulls haven't done much wrong, but they need to put more price on those bonus points the Paltan raiders are taking.

Can coach Randhir Sehrawat inspire his side to make a second-half comeback against one of the best teams in the league? We'll find out soon enough.

1st Half, 20'
Bengaluru Bulls 13 - 18 Puneri Paltan

Do-or-die raid at the end of the half, and Mohit Goyat is caught off-guard by Monu's challenge, and the Bulls' defense is quick to pounce and complete the tackle as the whistle blows for half-time.

The Paltan will raid first in the 2nd half and will look to avoid the all-out with only two men on the mat. An exciting 2nd half coming up!

1st Half, 18'
Bengaluru Bulls 12 - 18 Puneri Paltan

What a Super Tackle that is! The Paltan avoid an all-out yet again, and it's a stellar effort from Mohit Goyat and Abinesh Nadarajan to keep down a spirited Sushil. 

The left raider refuses to give up after getting tackled very early in the raid, but he makes the most of the time, even getting free at one point, but Abinesh's wrist hold keeps the Paltan in the tackle, and they eventually get the two points.

1st Half, 16'
Bengaluru Bulls 11 - 15 Puneri Paltan

Sushil is turning it on here, and he goes deep into the Pune half in a 1v4 situation without getting tackled. He hurries the defense so much that Mohammadreza Chiyaneh feels compelled to make a challenge, but the big Iranian never comes close enough to execute the block.

Sushil then does almost the same thing in the following raid, this time drawing the challenge from Sanket Sawant, and guess what, the Paltan are down to two now.

However, Akash Shinde rescues them from a potential all-out, with a swift toe touch on Akash Choudhary in the left corner, also getting a bonus point.

This match has a nice momentum going now.

1st Half, 14'
Bengaluru Bulls 9 - 12 Puneri Paltan

Well done Sushil Om! The underperformance of the raiding unit is the main concern for the Bulls in this match, and Sushil delivers with a swift kick on Gaurav Khatri in a do-or-die raid, no less.

The Paltan also have a do-or-die raid, and finally, Aslam Inamdar goes to the bench as Parteek charges in with a powerful dash. Strong resumption this from the Bulls, and they're closing the gap here.

1st Half, 12'
Bengaluru Bulls 7 - 12 Puneri Paltan

First touch point for Mohit Goyat in this match, and he does it with a beautiful change of direction to get none other than Surjeet Singh. Will that get him going? Not quite.

Ran Singh appears to be back in prime form in this match, and his diving double knee hold immobilizes Mohit in a Super Tackle situation, so much so that he didn't even need any support.

Vikash Khandola is subbed on for the Bulls as all three raiders are on the bench for them, and surprise, surprise, it's Saurabh Nandal who makes way.

1st Half, 10'
Bengaluru Bulls 5 - 11 Puneri Paltan

Mohit Goyat hasn't had the best of time in the raiding department, but he doesn't miss with a near-perfect ankle hold on Akshit Dhull as the Paltan take their lead to 6 points.

The Bulls' defense seems to be doing well against any Pune raider not named Aslam Inamdar as Akash Shinde is tackled without much fuss by a well-timed dash from Parteek.

A couple of empty raids follow, but ohh wait, what is Monu doing there!! The all-rounder lazily puts his leg out near Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, and the Iranian doesn't miss out on that gift, latching on with a tight ankle hold. He wasn't even trying for a point there, was Monu, and was just looking to kill time, but a lapse in concentration costs him and his side big-time.

The whistle blows for the first timeout right after that blunder, and despite not playing particularly bad, the Bulls trail by six already. They need to stop conceding those bonus points. 

1st Half, 8'
Bengaluru Bulls 4 - 9 Puneri Paltan

Aslam Inamdar is absolutely terrorizing Saurabh Nandal in the right corner. Goes for the bonus once again, but gets a toe touch instead. He''ll absolutely take that.

Sushil Om tries his best to escape from Sanket Sawant's challenge, but the Paltan defense is too quick to join in with support, and complete the tackle.

1st Half, 6'
Bengaluru Bulls 4 - 7 Puneri Paltan

You are not going to escape from a 4-man Pune defense in a Do-or-die raid, although that was a scrappy effort from the Paltan defense in bringing Sushil down. Meanwhile, Aslam Inamdar picks up yet another bonus point, and follows that up with another one. What this does is prevents the do-or-die raid, while also quietly increasing their lead.

The Bulls do well to get some momentum back, though, as Akshit Dhull does something rare, escape from an attempted challenge from Mohammadreza Chiyaneh.

1st Half, 4'
Bengaluru Bulls 3 - 4 Puneri Paltan

Another bonus point for the Paltan, but another unsuccessful raid as well. This time, it's the captain Saurabh Nandal who makes no mistake with his ankle hold on Akash Shinde. The Bulls look up for it today. Pune are down to four now.

1st Half, 2'
Bengaluru Bulls 2 - 3 Puneri Paltan

Monu doesn't try too much in the first raid, putting in a quiet empty raid, and Aslam Inamdar appears to do the same before hurrying Saurabh Nandal into making a challenge in the dying seconds of the raid, even getting a bonus point in the process.

However, the Bulls hit back immediately, with Akshit Dhull escaping from Sanket Sawant's advanced tackle with ease. Ran Singh then comes in with a stellar back hold to leave Mohit Goyat rooted to the spot. He did do well to get the bonus point, though. A busy start to this game.

Toss Update: The Puneri Paltan win the toss and choose court.

The Bulls to raid first, and it's Monu who gets them underway.

Ensure you outscore your opponents by picking the right Dream11 captain and vice-captain. Click on the link below to know more about Sportskeeda's top 3 captaincy and vice-captaincy suggestions for this match:

Winning these individual battles will be crucial to either side winning this match and taking home the all-important five points:

Navigate the tricky process of setting up your Dream11 teams for this contest by going through Sportskeeda's Dream11 prediction for the same:

Team News

Here are the starting lineups of both sides:

Bengaluru Bulls: Saurabh Nandal (C), Sushil Om, Surjeet Singh, Akshit Dhull, Ran Singh, Parteek, and Monu.

Puneri Paltan: Aslam Inamdar (C), Mohit Goyat, Akash Shinde, Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, Gaurav Khatri, Abinesh Nadarajan, and Sanket Sawant.

Both teams place their faith in the starting lineups from their last outing, remaining unchanged. Both Bharat and Vikash Khandola are on the bench for the Bulls, and they might have a role to play at some point in this match.

Preview

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's coverage of PKL 10. We have reached the final day of the Delhi leg and have a blockbuster double-header ahead of us. First up, a Bengaluru Bulls side on the ascendancy take on a Puneri Paltan unit which has cut a frustrated figure recently, with three ties in their last four matches, at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium.

The Bulls come into this match on the back of a 5-point win over U Mumba, and a win will keep their playoffs' hopes well alive. However, it's easier said than done against a side to whom they lost 43-18 in the reverse fixture. The young raiding unit will have to step up and do enough to support their defense led by Surjeet Singh, who will be the key to the Bulls' chances in this match.

The Paltan's raiding unit hasn't been firing recently, leaving captain Aslam Inamdar to do most of the heavy lifting, which they'd want to correct in this match. With Dabang Delhi KC slowly bridging the gap between themselves and the top two, Pune can't afford to have any slip-ups, and dropping points and turning wins into ties is something the team would want to avoid.

Given the Paltan's recent track record of close finishes, a nail-biting encounter isn't out of the question here, and I, Shreyas, will be taking you through it all.