New Delhi, Oct 19 (NationPress) In an electrifying comeback, the Patna Pirates rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat the Puneri Paltan 38–27 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Ayan Lohchab shone once more, contributing 17 points and leading his team's efforts, alongside a robust defensive unit that secured victory against the league leaders.

The match kicked off with both teams locked in a fiercely contested tactical duel, unwilling to yield any ground. The Pirates strategically rotated their raiders, featuring Ankit Kumar and Ayan, while their defense, spearheaded by Deepak and Navdeep, effectively countered the Paltan’s early advances.

Throughout the early exchanges, momentum fluctuated as the Pirates executed timely tackles against Paltan’s defensive maneuvers, exemplifying the high stakes of this early-season clash. With Ayan's rapid raids complemented by Ankit Kumar’s steady support, Patna maintained a slim lead despite Puneri's defensive tenacity. After the first ten minutes, the Pirates held a narrow advantage at 8–5.

Ayan continued to be the standout player, delivering swift, assured raids to keep his team competitive, while Navdeep expertly led the defense with well-timed tackles. However, Puneri’s defensive trio—Abinesh Nadarajan, Rakesh, and Sanjay Enania—demonstrated solid resilience, executing several Super Tackles that momentarily shifted the momentum in their favor. The exchanges were intense, with neither side managing to establish a decisive advantage throughout much of the half.

As the first half neared its conclusion, the Paltan, energized by consistent performances from Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, began to find their rhythm. Their strategic raids and disciplined defending led to mistakes from the Pirates, enabling them to reverse Patna’s early lead. By halftime, Puneri Paltan had edged ahead, leading 15–13.

Ayan continued to excel, scoring pivotal points and executing several successful raids that put the Puneri Paltan on the back foot. Milan Dahiya also made significant contributions with key raids, including an ALL OUT, providing the Pirates with a critical boost. Despite Puneri's attempts to regain control, highlighted by Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, the Pirates’ cohesion in both raiding and defense allowed them to steadily chip away at the deficit.

The match remained fiercely competitive, with Puneri refusing to allow the Pirates to break away completely. Abhishek Gunge mounted counter-attacks while Nabibakhsh executed vital raids, keeping the score tight and the momentum shifting. Nevertheless, the balanced performance from the Pirates in both raiding and defense gradually gave them a slender edge.

Building on their momentum from the early stages of the second half, the Pirates’ raiders, led by Ayan and Stuwart Singh, executed precise, high-pressure raids that consistently hit their targets. The Pirates’ defense tightened as well, with Ankit and Navdeep making crucial stops to thwart Puneri’s comeback efforts. This combination of effective raiding and disciplined defense allowed the Pirates to extend their lead while preventing any sustained challenge from the Paltan.

Although Puneri Paltan showcased moments of resistance, with Abhishek Gunge and Nabibakhsh scoring intermittently, each successful raid from the Pirates widened the gap, complicating Puneri's efforts to catch up. Ultimately, the Patna Pirates’ well-rounded performance on both fronts enabled them to secure a decisive victory.