Jaipur, Sep 20 (NationPress) The encounter between Haryana Steelers and Tamil Thalaivas at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur transformed into a thrilling showdown, with the Steelers managing to secure a 38-36 victory in Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) on Saturday. More than just the final score, the evening marked a significant milestone as Steelers’ head coach Manpreet Singh achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first-ever PKL coach to notch up 100 wins — a groundbreaking accomplishment.

The initial minutes set the stage for an exhilarating evening. The Thalaivas took an early lead when Arjun Deshwal scored quickly, while the Steelers’ raiders faced a well-organized defense spearheaded by Ronak and Himanshu. A swift All Out executed by Arjun granted the Thalaivas an early advantage, with his aggressive raids consistently exploiting defensive weaknesses.

Yet, the Steelers began to rally back. Vinay found his groove after a rocky start, scoring consecutively to keep the Steelers in contention. Jaideep made critical tackles, neutralizing the threats posed by Moein Shafaghi and Rohit Beniwal. The Steelers capitalized on the Thalaivas' mistakes.

As the half progressed, momentum shifted when the Steelers executed an All Out of their own. Vinay and Shivam Patare teamed up for decisive raids, while Jaideep led the defense with tenacity. The scoreboard tightened as both teams exchanged points rapidly.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Arjun kept troubling Haryana with his scoring prowess, but Vinay’s raids ensured the Steelers remained competitive. The Steelers headed into the break with the lead, the score at 25-16.

The second half ignited with both raiding units showcasing their skills. Deshwal continued his assault, easily dismantling defenders, even taking down Jaideep and Sahil Narwal in consecutive raids. Himanshu’s defensive skills also denied Haryana crucial points in Do-Or-Die situations.

However, the Steelers were undeterred. Substitute Mayank Saini immediately made an impact, executing multi-point raids that shifted the game's momentum. He took down Ronak and Anuj Gawade in one raid, followed by another against Nitesh Kumar, energizing the Steelers’ bench. Shivam Patare supported him with clever raids, maintaining pressure on the Thalaivas.

The match transitioned into a tense, defensive showdown where both teams exchanged empty raids and failed Do-Or-Die attempts. The defending champions’ backline stood firm, while Arulnanthababu of the Thalaivas executed a superb Super Tackle to keep his team alive. With under five minutes remaining, the game was finely balanced.

In the final moments, Haryana displayed the composure characteristic of Manpreet Singh's teams. Vinay, previously held back, executed a crucial raid that swung the momentum, while Hardeep’s timely tackle on Arjun ensured the Thalaivas couldn’t mount a comeback. The Steelers executed their final raids disciplinedly, clinching a 38-36 win in what is destined to be remembered as a significant chapter in Manpreet Singh's PKL legacy.