PKL Season 11: Arjun Deshwal's 17 Points Propel Jaipur Pink Panthers Towards Playoffs
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Pune, Dec 17 (NationPress) Arjun Deshwal delivered yet another outstanding performance, leading the Jaipur Pink Panthers to a crucial victory over the Bengaluru Bulls with a score of 35-26 in a Season 11 encounter of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) held at the Badminton Hall within the Balewadi Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Deshwal maintained his sensational form, achieving a remarkable 17-point game and guiding his team to its third straight win as the playoff race continued to heat up. This victory elevated the Jaipur Pink Panthers to fifth place on the points table, while Arjun Deshwal also reached the significant milestone of 200 raid points for the season.
The match kicked off with high energy as raiders Pardeep Narwal and Deshwal quickly got their teams on the scoreboard. Deshwal's two-point raid allowed the Jaipur Pink Panthers to seize an early lead, as he carried much of the offensive load for his team.
Ajinkya Pawar kept the Bengaluru Bulls competitive with his effective raiding skills. As the game progressed, the scoreboard showed only a two-point difference after 10 minutes, with the score at 7-9. Nitin Rawal contributed to leveling the score at 10-10 before the Jaipur Pink Panthers quickly reclaimed a two-point advantage.
As the first half came to a close, both teams implemented the Do-Or-Die strategy, which proved beneficial for the defending champions of season 10. With Deshwal continuing to shine, the Jaipur Pink Panthers widened their lead to four points, ending the first half with a score of 15-11.
The Bengaluru Bulls responded strongly at the beginning of the second half, with Arulnanthababu executing a Super Tackle on Neeraj Narwal. Alongside Ajinkya Pawar, he managed to tie the game at 15-15 with a pivotal tackle on Deshwal. The Do-Or-Die Raids continued into the second half, with both teams fiercely competing.
Deshwal achieved another Super 10, showcasing an impressive Super Raid that allowed his team to establish a four-point lead as the match approached its final minutes. To compound the issues for the Bengaluru Bulls, the Jaipur Pink Panthers executed an All Out, increasing their lead to seven points.
With the momentum clearly in their favor, the Jaipur Pink Panthers continued to dominate. With less than two minutes left, Bengaluru Bulls found a glimmer of hope as Arulnanthababu showcased his skills with another Super Tackle, completing his High 5.
However, it was not enough to turn the tide, as the Jaipur Pink Panthers secured a 35-26 win, climbing to fifth place in the points table.
