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The Thalaivas posted a 46-31 triumph over the side from Bengal in the day’s first fixture before Delhi registered a 35-25 win over Bulls thanks to the brilliance of Ashu Malik.
PKL 11: Tamil Thalaivas beat Bengal Warriors. (X)
Tamil Thalaivas roared back to form with an emphatic 46-31 win over Bengal Warriors in the Pro Kabaddi League at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Stellar performances from defenders Nitesh Kumar, Moein Shafaghi, Amir Hossein Bastami, and a brilliant Super 10 by raider Vishal Chahal ensured the Thalaivas stayed in control throughout the game.
The two defensive units were dictating terms in the opening exchanges of this contest and saw more tackles than raids. The two teams were at even-stevens, giving very little away, before Vishwas S executed a brilliant Super Raid to give the Bengal Warriors a four-point lead.
The tables turned rather quickly, courtesy Vishal, who inflicted a Super Raid and dismissed three players for the Bengal Warriors. That helped the Tamil Thalaivas execute an ALL OUT, putting them back in the lead by three points.
Just when it seemed like the Tamil Thalaivas would ride on their momentum to extend their lead further, the Bengal Warriors showed their mettle.
Nitin Kumar managed a couple of quick raids, while their defence kept them in the game to make it a two-point deficit at halftime, with the Tamil Thalaivas leading 18-16.
The Tamil Thalaivas didn’t put a foot wrong at the start of the second half, extending their lead to six points. That lead went to ten points in the blink of an eye, as Nitesh Kumar completed his High Five to inflict another ALL OUT on the Bengal Warriors.
There was no stopping the Tamil Thalaivas as they kept piling on the misery on the Season 7 champions.
Moein got a Super Raid of his own, eliminating three players from the Bengal Warriors, while Narender Kandola completed a milestone of 500 Raid points in the league as the Tamil Thalaivas continued to run riot.
Vishal completed his Super 10, helping his side carry on their fine form in this contest, further extending their lead to twelve points.
Nitin Kumar and Vishwas S were the only two raiders who made an impact for the Warriors.
Unfortunately for them, Tamil Thalaivas’ defense was on another level. Amir completed a High Five of his own, with back-to-back Super Tackles, while Moein also registered a High 5.
With 16 successful tackle points in the game, Tamil Thalaivas eventually decimated the Bengal Warriors, completing a 15-point route.
The Dabang Delhi K.C. rode the brilliance of Ashu Malik, who registered his 10th Super 10 as they swatted away the challenge of Bengaluru Bulls 35-25.
Dabang Delhi, who had Ashu Malik scoring 14 points and Yogesh picking up a Hi-5, will move into the top five in the points table after this win. For the Bengaluru Bulls, Pardeep Narwal finished with five points, while Nitin Rawal got seven and Akshit added four more to the cause.
Ashu Malik was out of the blocks very quickly for Dabang Delhi K.C. and Jai Bhagwan responded with a two-point raid to get the Bengaluru Bulls going as well. Ashu Malik was once again leading the charge for his side, and the Dabang Delhi K.C. had their noses out in front in the early exchanges of the contest. Midway through the first half, Pardeep Narwal swung into action for the Bengaluru Bulls, who were chipping away at the early deficit.
Nitin Rawal’s Super tackle gave the Bengaluru Bulls a boost even as Ashu Malik and the Dabang Delhi K.C. continued to dominate proceedings. Along with Ashu, defenders Yogesh and Sandeep were holding were putting on a solid showing as well. Just before the half-time break, Pardeep Narwal scored a 3-point raid, keeping his side within touching distance of the Dabang Delhi. At the break, Dabang Delhi led the fast and pacy game 18-13.
The Dabang Delhi K.C. defence continued to stifle the Bengaluru Bulls’ attack early in the second half but were finding it tough to pick up points in attack. The Bengaluru Bulls had Nitin Rawal soldiering on along with Akshit, and with half-hour gone in the game, the deficit was a 4-point one.
Malik kicked off the final phase with a three-point super raid and also completed yet another Super 10. This was his 10th Super 10 in PKL Season 11, but right after that, the Bengaluru Bulls got their act going with Akshit, and were far from throwing in the towel.
The Dabang Delhi though were solid in defence, and held their nerve, with the likes of Yogesh coming to the fore. Ashish Malik then inflicted an ALL OUT in the final minute, to put the game out of the Bengaluru Bulls’ reach. The Bulls threatened to make a comeback, but the Dabang Delhi K.C. walked off with a comprehensive 10-point win.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)