In a high-stakes Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 match, Puneri Paltan dealt a decisive blow to Bengal Warriors’ playoff aspirations, securing a 29-26 victory at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday. The intense battle saw Bengal Warriors clawing back from a double-digit deficit, nearly toppling the table-toppers, but falling short in the crucial moments that marked the end of their playoff dreams.
Facing a must-win situation, Bengal Warriors aimed for a fast start to the game, crucial for their playoff hopes. However, Puneri Paltan had other plans, racing into an early lead and inflicting an All-Out on the Warriors within the initial five minutes of the game. The Paltan showcased a relentless pace, with contributions from every player in both attack and defense. Despite a valiant Super Tackle by the Warriors on Akash Shinde preventing a second All-Out, the gap between the teams remained substantial. With star raider Maninder restricted to a single point in the first half, Bengal Warriors trailed 18-9 at halftime.
In an unexpected turn, the Warriors displayed resilience in the second period, narrowing the deficit within the first five minutes. Nitin Kumar’s impactful raid, eliminating Pankaj Mohite and Tushar Dattaray, culminated in the Warriors inflicting an All-Out of their own. This impressive turnaround brought the gap down to four points entering the final quarter of the game.
The last quarter unfolded as a nail-biting, neck-and-neck battle, with the Warriors desperately pushing for a positive result. They even had Puneri Paltan on the brink of an All-Out late in the game. However, the Warriors’ defense struggled at crucial junctures, leaking points when it mattered most. Ultimately, despite a spirited effort, Bengal Warriors fell short as Puneri Paltan secured a close victory.
Top performers for Bengal Warriors included Nitin Kumar with 5 raid points and Shubham Shinde with 2 tackle points. On the Puneri Paltan side, Akash Shinde stood out as the best raider with 10 raid points, while Abinesh Nadarajan excelled in defense with 4 tackle points.
With this defeat, Bengal Warriors’ playoff hopes were extinguished, paving the way for Haryana Steelers to secure the final playoffs spot with just one win in the remaining leg of the season. The match showcased the unpredictable and intense nature of Pro Kabaddi League Season 10, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
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