New Delhi, Oct 11 (NationPress) The Chennai segment of the Pro Kabaddi League season 12 wrapped up on Friday with two thrilling matches, prompting Sunil Taneja to evaluate both encounters. He emphasized that the Gujarat Giants must prioritize acquiring a veteran captain for the upcoming season of the tournament.

Dabang Delhi K.C. narrowly triumphed over the Gujarat Giants with a score of 39-33, securing their place in the Playoffs. Taneja shed light on Gujarat's defensive challenges following their defeat to Delhi. He noted that the team's defensive lapses are 'not a new occurrence' and labeled their defensive unit as inconsistent.

“Gujarat Giants' defensive issues are nothing new. We anticipated a challenging match for captain Mohammadreza Shadloui, particularly with two left raiders in Delhi’s lineup, and the addition of Akshit Dhull only exacerbated the situation. Sometimes, a defense needs to remain composed. If just one defender had attempted the tackle instead of three, Gujarat might have turned the tide. Throughout the season, their defense has been erratic. However, when a debutant raider manages to score multiple multi-point raids, it clearly indicates the need for a seasoned leader on the field. Gujarat must invest in a capable captain next season,” he remarked.

Dabang Delhi K.C. clinched a narrow victory against the Gujarat Giants, with Akshit Dhull's exceptional performance earning the team a spot in the playoffs. Taneja praised the raider, stating:

“Akshit Dhull — where had Dabang Delhi K.C. Coach Joginder Narwal concealed this gem? We all believed that without Ashu, the match would be more balanced. But Akshit emerged unexpectedly, scoring a dozen points in raids, most of which were multi-pointers. The final raid may have raised some eyebrows, yet that player single-handedly compelled Gujarat’s defenders to make mistakes. His skills were exceptional, and Delhi showcased why they are the team to beat — winning right in the final raid.”

Turning to the other match, U Mumba triumphed decisively over Bengal Warriorz with a score of 48-29, and Taneja reflected on the team’s impressive display.

“One is a right-handed raider, the other is a left-handed raider, and both have displayed remarkable form. Sandeep Kumar, who missed out on a Super 10 in the previous match, was back in fine form against Bengal, achieving his fifth Super 10 of the season. Ajit Chouhan, on the other hand, has become even more formidable following his return from injury. I believe this match against Bengal Warriorz was nearly flawless for U Mumba.

“We previously discussed that Mumbai’s defense excels when facing a single key raider from the opposing team. They successfully contained Arjun Deshwal’s Tamil Thalaivas, they neutralized Devank’s Bengal Warriorz, and skipper Sunil Kumar executed a brilliant High-five. Alongside Parvesh Bhainswal, we witnessed their classic combination tackles returning to form. Ajit and Sandeep raided in unison, making it a nearly perfect game for Mumbai,” Taneja noted.

Ajit Chouhan demonstrated outstanding skills in raiding as U Mumba achieved a commanding victory over Bengal. Taneja remarked on the raider’s performance:

“This season, almost every team’s raiders have outperformed Bengal Warriorz’s defense, and U Mumba's Ajit Chouhan was no exception. This player possesses incredible speed. When I observed him last year, I noticed many parallels with Puneri Paltan's Aslam Inamdar. Both are left-handed raiders from Maharashtra and exhibit remarkable agility. Whether escaping, making a touch, or securing a running bonus, Ajit consistently accumulates points from optimal zones. The only Bengal defender who has caught my eye this season is Ashish Malik in the left corner. I fail to comprehend why such a seasoned defender like Nitesh Kumar is being sidelined. Against a left-handed raider like Ajit, benching your best right corner is poor strategy from Bengal. Ajit’s blistering speed left their defense without answers.”

U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar delivered an exceptional defensive performance, including a diving tackle, a rare achievement for cover defenders. Taneja lauded his performance and leadership, stating:

“U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar executed his tackles excellently against Bengal. He employed single thigh holds, perfectly paired with Parvesh Bhainswal, and even managed a diving tackle — a feat seldom seen from a cover defender. This illustrates his courage and versatility on the mat. Sunil and Parvesh executed traditional combination tackles — one aimed at the upper body, the other at the lower. Mumbai will undoubtedly regard this match as nearly perfect, as the Sunil–Parvesh partnership instills great confidence in their raiders, much like Ashu Malik feels supported in Dabang Delhi K.C..