The Jaipur Pink Panthers roared to a thrilling 38-35 victory over the Telugu Titans in a nail-biting encounter at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur, India on Friday. The match the 67th of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 witnessed a fierce battle of wits and athleticism, with both teams showcasing their defensive prowess and raiding skills.
Dominant First Half Sets the Stage for Jaipur Pink Panthers
The Jaipur Pink Panthers led by the unstoppable Arjun Deshwal (14 points) established their dominance early on. Deshwal’s relentless raids and Sunil Kumar’s rock-solid defense (5 points) put the Panthers ahead by a comfortable margin in the first half. The Titans struggled to find their rhythm managing only 13 points with Pawan Sehrawat (12 points) carrying their offense on his shoulders.
Titans Fight Back But Panthers Hold Firm
The second half saw a determined fightback from the Titans. They tightened their defense with Sandeep Dhull (5 points) and Sahul Kumar (2 points) making crucial tackles. Omkar R. (10 points) and Robin Chaudhary (5 points) provided much-needed offensive impetus but the Panthers held their nerve. Arjun Deshwal continued his dominant display adding six more points to his tally while Reza Mirbagheri (5 points) chipped in with valuable defensive contributions.
Key Moments that Decided the Match
- Super Tackle in the 24th Minute: A crucial Super Tackle by Reza Mirbagheri on Pawan Sehrawat in the 24th minute proved to be a turning point preventing the Titans from gaining momentum.
- Deshwal’s Dazzling Raids: Arjun Deshwal’s consistent raiding throughout the match especially his 11-point streak in the first half kept the Panthers ahead of the curve.
- Solid Defense by Panthers: The Panthers defense led by Sunil Kumar and Reza Mirbagheri was impenetrable for most of the match restricting the Titans’ scoring opportunities.
अपने होम लेग में जयपुर के पैंथर्स का प्रचंड आग़ाज़ 🔥
— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) January 12, 2024
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Post-Match Reactions
Jaipur Pink Panthers captain Arjun Deshwal expressed his delight with the victory praising his team’s resilience and teamwork. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy but we stuck to our plan and fought till the end. I’m proud of my team’s performance especially our defense” said Deshwal.
Telugu Titans captain Pawan Sehrawat acknowledged the Panthers’ dominance but remained optimistic about his team’s future. “We gave it our best shot but Jaipur played a better game today. We will learn from this experience and come back stronger in the next match” stated Sehrawat.
Match Statistics:
- Total Points: Jaipur Pink Panthers (38) – Telugu Titans (35)
- Raid Points: Jaipur Pink Panthers (19) – Telugu Titans (17)
- Tackle Points: Jaipur Pink Panthers (15) – Telugu Titans (14)
- All Out Points: Jaipur Pink Panthers (4) – Telugu Titans (4)
- Extra Points: Jaipur Pink Panthers (3) – Telugu Titans (5)
The Jaipur Pink Panthers victory solidifies their fourth position on the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 points table. The Telugu Titans despite the loss remain hopeful of a comeback in the coming matches.