How Did Vijay Malik and Bharat Lead Telugu Titans to Their First Win of Season 12?

Visakhapatnam, Sep 4 (NationPress) The Telugu Titans achieved their inaugural victory of the Pro Kabaddi League season 12 by defeating the Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-32 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Thursday. A comprehensive performance, spearheaded by eight points from captain Vijay Malik and raider Bharat Hooda, along with Ajit Pawar's High Five, secured the Titans two essential points. Despite Nitin Kumar Dhankar scoring 13 points, it was not enough for Jaipur.

The initial 10 minutes of the match saw both teams exchanging points in a cautious start. The Telugu Titans managed to take a slight lead at 7-5, with their defense proving resilient against the opposition's raiders. Bharat asserted his presence in the game with effective raids that sent both Ronak Singh and Meetu to the bench in a two-point strike, followed by another successful raid that dismissed Sahil Satpal.

Yet, the Pink Panthers ignited their defense when Nitin Rawal executed a remarkable Super Tackle on Bharat, temporarily shifting the momentum. Nevertheless, Bharat's precise raiding ensured the Titans maintained their slender lead, applying continuous pressure on the two-time champions.

The first half continued to favor the Telugu Titans, who established dominance with a crucial ALL OUT in the 13th minute. Reza Mirbagheri's failed raid opened the door for Ajit Pawar and the Titans' defense to eliminate the Panthers, pushing them back. Bharat relentlessly troubled Jaipur, while Vijay Malik kept the score ticking with consistent raids.

The woes for the Pink Panthers compounded when Chetan Sahu executed a Do-Or-Die raid, and Ajit Pawar struck again to pin down Ali Samadi. Despite tactical substitutions, the Pink Panthers struggled to penetrate the disciplined Titans' defense. By halftime, the Titans had built a substantial 16-9 lead, leaving their opponents with a mountain to climb in the second half.

The third phase saw the Jaipur Pink Panthers intensify their efforts to close the gap, with Nitin Kumar spearheading their charge. He delivered successive raids, sending Chetan Sahu and Avi Duhan off the mat, while Reza Mirbagheri bolstered their defense by pinning down Vijay Malik and later Bharat, keeping the Panthers within striking distance.

However, the Telugu Titans’ defense made a statement with a critical Super Tackle from Ajit Pawar that curtailed Ali Samadi’s raid and restored their grip on the match. Deepanshu Khatri responded with defensive success for the Pink Panthers, but the Titans regained their rhythm with Chetan Sahu’s Do-Or-Die raid on Aashish Kumar. By the 30-minute mark, the Titans held onto a 23-16 advantage.

As the match reached a pivotal point, Nitin Kumar initiated the fourth quarter with a Super Raid that left the Titans with only one player. In retaliation, Bharat executed a Super Raid of his own, taking out Sahil Satpal and Reza Mirbagheri, while also earning a bonus point.

Shortly thereafter, Nitin Kumar demonstrated why he ranks among the top raiders in the league this season, taking down Amir Ejlali, followed by Nitin Rawal tackling Vijay Malik, resulting in the first ALL OUT inflicted on the Telugu Titans in the fifth minute.

As the match approached its final three minutes, Nitin completed his Super 10 with another multi-point raid, taking out Ankit and Avi Duhan. This narrowed the gap to just three points, and with the crowd on the edge of their seats, Vijay Malik sealed the victory with a Super Raid, finalizing the score at 37-32, marking the Titans’ first win in seven encounters against the two-time champions.