PKL 2023: Jaipur Pink Panthers nick past U Mumba; Maninder's masterclass helps Bengal Warriors gun down Bengaluru Bulls

In a closely fought match at the SMS Indoor Stadium on Sunday, the Jaipur Pink Panthers narrowly defeated U Mumba with a score of 31-29. Arjun Deshwal, the standout player for the Pink Panthers, scored 11 points, contributing significantly to their third straight home win and their fifth consecutive victory overall.

Prior to this encounter, the record between these two teams was evenly matched with 10 wins each and two draws. The game started off as a tight contest with both teams equally strong in raids and tackles.

Arjun Deshwal played a crucial role for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, consistently earning raid points. On the U Mumba side, Amirmohammad Zafardanesh was equally effective until an injury forced him off the mat, causing concern for his team. U Mumba held a narrow lead at halftime by one point.

A turning point in the match was Ajith Kumar's SUPER RAID against Rinku, Surinder Singh, and Mukilan Shanmugam, which briefly created a lead gap. However, U Mumba quickly responded, staying competitive by accumulating bonus points.

The game's intensity was evident as neither team had managed an All OUT until the final two minutes. The Jaipur Pink Panthers, thanks to a SUPER TACKLE, led by three points in these crucial moments, which ultimately proved decisive. Jai Bhagwan's aggressive raiding for U Mumba in the final minutes wasn't enough, and a slight error gave the Pink Panthers a narrow victory.

Maninder's mastery tames Bulls

Maninder Singh delivered an outstanding performance in the Bengal Warriors' victory over Bengaluru Bulls during the Pro Kabaddi League's 1000th match on Monday. Maninder earned 9 points, while defender Shubham Shinde contributed 7 tackle points. For the Bulls, Bharat stood out with 10 points.

Early in the match, Bharat's raid points propelled the Bulls to a 5-2 lead in the 5th minute. Despite Maninder Singh's double-point raid against Bharat and Surjeet Singh, the Bulls maintained a 9-7 lead by the 12th minute. The Warriors, bolstered by Shubham Shinde and Jaskirat Singh's tackle points, drew level at 11-11 by the 16th minute.

Shortly afterwards, Nitin Kumar's raid against Saurabh Nandal and Neeraj Narwal led the Warriors to execute an ALL OUT, gaining a 15-11 advantage. Shubham Shinde and Maninder Singh excelled in defense and raiding, respectively, as the Warriors entered halftime leading 19-12.

In the second half's early stages, Bharat's raid and Surjeet Singh's tackle on Maninder Singh kept the game close at 19-16 in favor of the Warriors. However, the Bulls managed an ALL OUT, edging ahead 21-20 in the 28th minute. But Shubham Shinde's tackle on Bharat kept the Warriors competitive at 23-24 in the 31st minute.

Gaining momentum, the Warriors executed another ALL OUT, extending their lead to 32-27 in the 37th minute. Maninder Singh's late double-point raid sealed a decisive victory for the Warriors.

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