PKL Season 11: Resilient UP Yoddhas Secure Narrow Victory Against Jaipur Pink Panthers
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Noida, Nov 28 (NationPress) In a gripping showdown, the Jaipur Pink Panthers and the UP Yoddhas battled intensely, matching each other raid-for-raid and tackle-for-tackle for the majority of the match before the latter clinched a 33-29 victory in a Season 11 encounter of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Thursday evening.
The fiercely contested game concluded with the UP Yoddhas securing victory in the final moments. Bhavani Rajput emerged as the top scorer for the UP Yoddhas with eight points, while Gagan Gowda contributed six and Sumit achieved a Hi-5, avenging their earlier defeat to the Jaipur Pink Panthers in this season.
Both teams started cautiously, eager to avoid conceding early points. Arjun Deshwal and Ankush Rathee helped the Jaipur Pink Panthers establish a slight early lead, but the UP Yoddhas quickly fought back to take control.
The match was a back-and-forth affair as both teams exchanged blows frequently. Gagan Gowda found his rhythm, and the UP Yoddhas managed to maintain a narrow lead for a time. Halfway through the first period, the Jaipur Pink Panthers were chasing the game, and Bhavani Rajput's multi-point raid provided the UP Yoddhas with some breathing room.
Not long after, the UP Yoddhas executed an All Out on the Jaipur Pink Panthers, stretching their lead to six points. Neeraj Narwal and Ankush Rathee worked to close the gap for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, yet the UP Yoddhas stayed in control.
As the first half wound down, Arjun Deshwal intensified his efforts, and Lucky Sharma's tackle resulted in an All Out against the UP Yoddhas, leveling the match. Just before the break, the Jaipur Pink Panthers edged ahead, leading 20-19 at halftime.
The second half saw both teams closely matched, with the lead changing hands multiple times in the opening minutes. Gagan Gowda took the lead for the UP Yoddhas, receiving solid support from Bhavani Rajput and Sumit, as they entered the last ten minutes with a slim one-point advantage.
As the half progressed, the UP Yoddhas successfully kept Arjun Deshwal at bay, maintaining their one-point lead. With three minutes remaining, the UP Yoddhas increased their lead to three points, with Sumit achieving his Hi-5 and the defense performing commendably.
In the dying seconds, the Jaipur Pink Panthers fought back with a brilliant tackle during a Do-or-Die raid. Shrikant Jadhav executed a quick raid, narrowing UP Yoddhas' lead to just one point. Nevertheless, the UP Yoddhas displayed composure and secured a four-point victory.
