Jaipur Pink Panthers defeat Bengaluru Bulls to stay in contention for playoffs

Deepak Narwal’s 16-point performance, supported by Nilesh Salunke (9 raid points) and Vishal (5 tackle points) gave Jaipur Pink Panthers a 41-34 win over defending champions Bengaluru Bulls at the Tau Devilal Sports Complex in Panchkula on Friday. The win ensured that Jaipur Pink Panthers stay in the hunt for a spot in the vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 7 playoffs.

Jaipur Pink Panthers’ defence helped them take an early three-point lead as they managed to send ‘Hi-Flyer’ Pawan Sehrawat to the bench twice in the first two minutes. However, once he was revived a second time, Sehrawat struck by picking up his first touch point of the night on Sandeep Dhull.

Nilesh Salunke’s Super Raid was answered by Sehrawat’s Super Raid before a second Super Raid by the Hi-Flyer immediately saw Deepak Narwal’s Super Raid keep the match in the balance. Deepak’s second Super Raid within three minutes gave Jaipur Pink Panthers a four-point lead as the raider brought up just his second Super 10 of the season.

But the final six minutes of the half saw Bengaluru Bulls bring down the deficit to two points through Sehrawat and Sumit Singh as they trailed 18-20 at halftime.

Vishal’s Super Tackle on Sehrawat early in the second period took Jaipur Pink Panthers further in the lead but Bengaluru Bulls’ perseverance finally paid off in the 5^th minute and more good work from Sumit and Sehrawat helped them inflict an All Out and take a one-point lead for the first time since the opening quarter.

A neck and neck contest ensued as Bengaluru Bulls looked to open up a lead through Sehrawat, but Jaipur Pink Panthers struck back each time through their defence. Deepak’s two-point raid in the 12^th minute tied the scores at 31-31, ensuring a tight contest in the closing minutes.

Bengaluru Bulls’ efforts to get ahead based on Banty and Sumit’s raiding were met by some stiff resistance from Jaipur Pink Panthers’ defence and, with less than three minutes left on the clock, Guman Singh put in back-to-back successful raids to put Jaipur Pink Panthers ahead by a single point.

Amit Hooda, Vishal and Sandeep Dhull then picked up the next three points of the contest, giving no corner to Bengaluru Bulls’ raider and getting the match in the bag for their team. Salunke’s final raid of the match inflicted the All Out on Bengaluru Bulls as Jaipur Pink Panthers claimed a seven-point victory.

Top Performers:

Jaipur Pink Panthers –

Best Raider – Deepak Narwal (16 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Vishal (5 Tackle Points)

Bengaluru Bulls –

Best Raider – Pawan Sehrawat (14 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Ankit (3 Tackle Points)