Haryana Steelers climb to second in the standings after victory over Puneri Paltan

Haryana Steelers continued their ascent in the vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 7 standings after a 41-27 win over Puneri Paltan at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. Vikash Kandola produced another game-changing performance, while Dharmaraj Cheralathan picked up a High 5.

The match got off to a frantic start with raiders from both teams getting the better of the defences. Nitin Tomar was lively for Puneri Paltan, while Kandola was Haryana Steelers’ biggest threat. Haryana Steelers managed to get their noses in front and reduced Puneri Paltan to three men midway through the half. However, a Super Tackle by Surjeet Singh tied the game at 6-6 and gave Puneri Paltan the momentum.

They went on to build a three-point lead but another Super Tackle, by Haryana Steelers this time, turned the tide of the contest. Kandola tied the contest at 9-9 in the subsequent raid and continued to wreak havoc on Puneri Paltan’s defence. Mesmerizing raiding by Kandola, including a sensational two-point raid, helped inflict an All-Out and gave Haryana Steelers control of the game as they took a 18-11 lead into the break.

Haryana Steelers started the second half like they ended the first and scored three unanswered points. Puneri Paltan looked to fight back and picked up a few raid points through Pankaj Mohite and Tomar but Prashanth Kumar Rai, Vinay and Kandola ensured that they kept the scoreboard ticking for Haryana Steelers.

Kandola, in particular, looked unstoppable and completed his Super 10 before helping enforce another All-Out on Puneri Paltan to extend Haryana Steelers’ lead to 35-17. Puneri Paltan kept looking for points after the second All-Out but Haryana Steelers kept their focus and defended astutely to ensure no further shifts in momentum.

Puneri Paltan, though, continued to persevere and reduced Haryana Steelers to just one player on the mat in the last minute. However, Haryana Steelers were still in a very comfortable position and eventually won the game by 14 points.  

Top Performers:

Haryana Steelers –

Best Raider – Vikash Kandola (11 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Dharmaraj Cheralathan (5 Tackle Points)  

Puneri Paltan –

Best Raider – Nitin Tomar (8 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Surjeet Singh (5 Tackle Points)