Chennai, Oct 6 (NationPress) The Patna Pirates showcased an impressive all-around effort to overcome the UP Yoddhas with a score of 36-28 in a thrilling match that saw multiple lead changes before the three-time champions emerged victorious.

Beginning the evening at the bottom of the leaderboard, the Pirates demonstrated their resolve to recover from an early setback and ultimately claimed a much-needed win. Ayan Lohchab contributed significantly with 15 points, while Navdeep secured a critical defensive effort, achieving a high five. For the Yoddhas, Gagan Gowda's Super 10 went unrewarded.

The match kicked off with a fast-paced exchange between the two teams. Gagan Gowda was particularly impressive, scoring nine raid points from just four raids, including a super raid that took out Ankit Kumar, Navdeep, and Balaji D. Mahender Singh also contributed with a well-executed tackle on Sudhakar M. Following a cautious start, the Yoddhas found their rhythm thanks to Gagan's outstanding performance, taking an early lead.

Ayan emerged as the Pirates' key player, showcasing his agility and fearless style as he took down Sumit, Bhavani Rajput, and Mahender Singh, putting pressure on the Yoddhas' defense. Both Gagan and Ayan displayed their skills, exchanging points with flair. By the end of the first 10 minutes, the Yoddhas held a narrow four-point lead at 12-8.

As the second phase unfolded, the momentum shifted towards the Patna Pirates, who tightened their defense and capitalized on the Yoddhas' mistakes. The Yoddhas managed only two points compared to the Pirates' eight in the next ten minutes, with Gagan and Bhavani struggling to penetrate. A crucial super tackle by Deepak on Bhavani bolstered the Pirates’ confidence.

Ayan remained the main threat, executing pivotal raids that eliminated key Yoddhas defenders such as Hitesh. His strategic do-or-die raids kept the pressure on, complemented by strong defensive support from Deepak and Ankit. By halftime, the Pirates had turned the game around to lead 14-16.

Continuing his excellent form, Ayan completed his Super 10 with a sequence of confident raids that kept the Yoddhas’ defenders on high alert. His swift movements and conversion of do-or-die situations were crucial as the Pirates steadily gained momentum. Meanwhile, the Yoddhas struggled to find their rhythm in attack, despite sporadic points from Shivam and Bhavani.

The pivotal moment arrived with the first all-out of the match, executed by the Pirates on the Yoddhas, granting them a significant lead. Deepak and Ankit played vital roles in establishing defensive traps, while Ayan's raids ensured relentless pressure on the Yoddhas. Attempts by Gagan and Mahender to rally were thwarted by the Pirates' balanced performance across all areas.

In the final moments, the Pirates maintained their composure to fend off a late surge from the Yoddhas. Ayan, who surpassed the 300-point milestone in the PKL, led with his 15-point performance. In addition, Navdeep executed a flawless defensive strategy to achieve a high five.

Despite Gagan's Super 10 and Mahender's defensive prowess, the Yoddhas fell short. The Pirates' all-around consistency proved decisive, resulting in an eight-point victory that elevated them off the bottom of the table and reignited their campaign.