Jaipur books the first final spot at the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi

Securing the first Finals berth the Jaipur Pink Panthers defeated the Patna Pirates by a remarkable twenty points. With a 1-1, win-loss ratio no one would have been able to predict this highly anticipated semi-finals, however, Jaipur proved to the the stronger team within the first 15 minutes, dominating most of the game and entering the finals of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi, with scores at 38-18.

With a cautious start by both teams, Patna's began the fireworks as their best raider Ravi Dalal scored an outstanding three-point raid, sending back Panthers, Rajesh Narwal, Navneet Gautam and Prashant Chavan. The League got its first chance to use a TV referral, as a turbo-charged Maninder Singh slammed into Rakesh Kumar, knocking them both clear out of the lobby. The refferres gave both teams points. Moments later, a brave attempt from Sandeep Narwal failed against Jaipur's impenetrable defence, Patna was left a four-man army by the seventh minute. After tying at five, Jasvir Singh clawed down Patna's defence, earning the crucial one-point lead. Lone-man standing, Rakesh Kumar revived his team but gave away the first LONA points of the night, with a hope of a better, stronger comeback. Rakesh still tender injury from the field clearly showed as he was ousted by an easy tackle from the Pink Panthers immediately after. With an escalating lead and a diminishing team, Patna's inability to handle pressure showed as Maninder reduced them to two-men, prompting Patna's second an all-out in the 17th minute. The Pirates were able to earn a small victory before halftime by taking out the juggernaut Maninder Singh, but with the first-half clearly coloured by Pink, the scores took a break at 20-7.

As the second-half began, Patna was denied yet another chance to comeback as one by one Rakesh, Ravi and Sandeep were sent back, the latter tackled within just a few centimetres away from the centre-line. As the Panthers continued to race ahead of Patna's staggering Pirate ship, their lead extended to twenty points as Ravi failed against the strong defence of the Panthers, granting them their third LONA. With seven minutes to go and a lot of ground to cover, Rakesh's lack of form caught his team in the back foot again, setting them back by 11 points. Playing his first game, Bashimov was able to gain a point which did not help much as Patna conceded their fourth LONA, giving Jaipur an unassailable lead. By full-time, Jaipur mauled the Pirates, wrecking their ship by 20 points.

Jaipur Pink Panthers will now play the winners of the second semi-finals between U Mumba and Bengaluru Bulls.