PKL 11: Dabang Delhi Claims Record for Unbeaten Matches After Defeating Pink Panthers
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Pune, Dec 21 (NationPress) In a highly anticipated showdown between two leading teams of Season 11 in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Dabang Delhi K.C. emerged victorious against Jaipur Pink Panthers with a narrow score of 33-31 during Match 126 at the Badminton Hall of the Balewadi Sports Complex on Saturday. With Ashu Malik securing his 17th Super 10 of the season, Dabang Delhi K.C. ascended to third place on the points table following this win, effectively countering a late push from the two-time PKL champions.
This victory etched Dabang Delhi K.C. into the annals of PKL history, marking an impressive 14-match unbeaten streak in PKL 11. Interestingly, they surpassed the Jaipur Pink Panthers’ previous record of 13 consecutive matches without a loss in a single PKL season (season 10). Under the guidance of coach Joginder Narwal, the team also matched the Puneri Paltans’ 14-match unbeaten record set across the 10th and 11th PKL seasons.
Both squads started on even ground, exchanging points frequently. Ashu Malik faced a tackle from Ankush Rathee, while Arjun Deshwal took down Gaurav Chhillar. Following this, Naveen Kumar captured Arjun, and Ashu Malik managed to tackle Ronak Singh. However, the momentum shifted in the sixth minute when Dabang Delhi K.C. gained significant traction.
In his signature style, Ashu Malik eliminated the remaining two players from Jaipur Pink Panthers – Ankush Rathee and Lucky Sharma – resulting in the first All Out of the match, setting the stage for Joginder Narwal’s team to assert their dominance.
Abhijeet Malik executed a multi-point raid that secured Ashish Malik and Gaurav Chhillar, but then Naveen Kumar struck against Surjeet Singh and Ankush in quick succession, maintaining pressure on the two-time PKL champions. Ashu Malik easily completed his Super 10 during a do-or-die raid that took Lucky Sharma off the mat.
As the second half commenced, the match was filled with crucial do-or-die raids from both sides, highlighted by significant defensive plays, including Surjeet blocking Naveen and Ashish successfully containing Sombir Mehra. The Jaipur Pink Panthers began to demonstrate signs of a comeback with a super tackle on Ashu and a deft running hand touch by Sombir Mehra.
A minor resurgence was realized with five minutes left on the clock, as Arjun Deshwal became the chief aggressor. Three successful raids by him reduced Dabang Delhi K.C. to just Yogesh on the mat, who was eventually captured by Reza Mirbagheri, resulting in an All Out on the season 8 PKL champions, leveling the scores.
With just 2 minutes remaining and the crowd on the edge of their seats, Ashu Malik executed a running hand touch that caught Sombir Mehra, while Yogesh tackled Abhijeet Malik, giving Dabang Delhi K.C. a slim two-point advantage. The Naveen Express joined in with a touch on Ankush Rathee. In a dramatic finale, Arjun Deshwal was ruled to have been airborne while crossing the mid-line despite touching two players from Dabang Delhi K.C., resulting in Jaipur Pink Panthers narrowly missing out on the equalizer and losing by just two points.
