Did Puneri Paltan Secure Their Top-Eight Spot After a 13-Point Win Over Tamil Thalaivas?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Puneri Paltan exhibited superior raiding skills.
- Aslam Inamdar displayed exceptional leadership.
- Strong defensive plays were pivotal for Puneri Paltan.
- The Thalaivas had moments of brilliance but couldn't maintain consistency.
- Overall, a commanding performance by Puneri Paltan secured their place in the top eight.
Delhi, Oct 11 (NationPress) Puneri Paltan secured their place in the top eight of Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) after a decisive 36-23 victory against the Tamil Thalaivas on Saturday evening.
With standout performances from Pankaj Mohite and Aslam Inamdar, who netted nine and seven points respectively, the match was dominated early on, despite the Thalaivas putting up a tough contest. Gurdeep also showcased his skills with a High Five at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium.
Puneri Paltan took charge right from the start, bolstered by their captain Aslam Inamdar. The raiders made a strong impact in the initial minutes, with their first tackle on Himanshu leading to the first ALL OUT against the Tamil side.
It took the Thalaivas quite some time, nearly nine minutes, to add their second and third points in the same raid. As the first half progressed, Puneri Paltan tightened their hold on the match, transforming a close contest into a substantial lead.
Pankaj Mohite’s aggressive raiding and Aslam Inamdar’s strategic gameplay allowed the Paltan to take control, while the Thalaivas, despite Arjun Deshwal's efforts, struggled to keep pace. The Thalaivas' defense, which started strong, began to weaken under pressure, giving the Paltan the upper hand.
The turning point came when Pankaj executed a two-point raid, overcoming Ronak and Aashish, forcing the Thalaivas into a defensive corner. Although Arjun Deshwal managed a couple of successful raids, Puneri’s balanced offense through Aditya Shinde and Gurdeep left no room for a comeback. By halftime, Puneri Paltan had established a nine-point lead at 20–11.
The Thalaivas showed renewed vigor in the third quarter, thanks to notable defensive plays by Nitesh Kumar and Ronak, who executed crucial tackles under pressure. Ronak’s Super Tackle on the in-form Pankaj Mohite in the 16th minute rejuvenated the Thalaivas’ spirits.
However, the Paltan kept their cool. Mohite bounced back quickly, executing another successful raid against Arulnanthababu, extending the lead back to nine points. Aslam Inamdar maintained a cautious approach, ensuring that Puneri Paltan stayed ahead at 25–16 by the 10-minute mark of the second half.
As the final stretch approached, the Thalaivas came out strong, led by their corner duo, Arulnanthababu and Nitesh Kumar, who performed admirably under pressure. Arulnanthababu’s timely Super Tackle on Mohit Goyat demonstrated the Thalaivas' resilience, with Nitesh contributing with another solid defensive effort.
Yet, Puneri Paltan’s depth proved to be decisive in the closing moments. Aslam and Pankaj continued to rotate raids effectively, keeping their lead intact while Vishal Bhardwaj and Gurdeep maintained a strong defensive front.
The hopes of a late comeback for Tamil Thalaivas were dashed when Aslam’s sharp raid resulted in an ALL OUT, eliminating both Arulnanthababu and Nitesh, the very defenders who had kept them in the game. In conclusion, the Thalaivas showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately, Puneri Paltan’s balance and control sealed a comfortable 36–23 victory.