New Delhi: Haryana Steelers on Wednesday became the first team to book its berth in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) playoffs in the ongoing season. The development came after the Jaideep Dahiya-led side trounced Bengaluru Bulls in a resounding 37-26 win in the match no. 105 of the PKL 2024 played at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
The imposing raid duo of Vinay and Shivam Patare bagged 17 points in total with the former missing the Super 10 by a whisker. Jaideep and Rahul contributed with four tackle points while the inspiring Moammadreza Shadloui once again flourished in both the departments, snapping two raid points and four tackle points.
Haryana Steelers have now consolidated their position on the top of the PKL points table with 15 wins and four defeats, accumulating 77 points from 19 matches with a massive score difference of 109. The league stage is still 26 matches away to fold up and five spots are still open to secure qualification for the playoffs.
U Mumba (60 points in 18 matches), Patna Pirates (58 points in 17 matches), UP Yoddhas (56 points in 17 matches), Dabang Delhi KC (56 points in 17 matches), Jaipur Pink Panthers (54 points in 18 matches), Telugu Titans (54 points in 18 matches), and Puneri Paltan (49 points in 18 matches) are the top contenders to vie for playoffs spot.
Here’s how Haryana Steelers defeated Bengaluru Bulls
The match got off to a slow start with the raiders taking time to settle in during the initial exchanges. It was the defenders who took the advantage with the raids moving into the do-or-die stage. Haryana Steelers defenders Sanjay and captain Rahul kept them in a 7-6 lead at the end of the quarter with their sharp tackles.
Shadloui joined the duo to bag his firs point on the board with the holding of Jatin as Haryana enforced the first All-Out of the game on the Bulls to extend the lead by three more points. Star Bulls raider Pardeep Narwal tapped Shadloui to register his first point of the day.
Vinay later went for a Super Raid with three Bulls players unable to hold him in their court as the Steelers finished the first half with 15-11 lead.
Haryana Steelers were controlling proceedings at the start of the second half, almost on the verge of inflicting an all out, before Parteek executed a super raid for Bengaluru Bulls. However, the all-out couldn’t be delayed for much and they were now trailing by nine points.
Despite Ajinkya Pawar snaring a Super raid for the Bulls, the Bengaluru outfit couldn’t inspire any moment of shift to comeback in the match. Sushil picked up a couple of raid points along with a tackle, but it was Haryana Steelers who finished as the satisfied team at the end, and the qualification news would only boost their team to utilise the remaining league matches as a preparatory period.
Haryana Steelers secured the first Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 playoff berth after a commanding 37-26 win against Bengaluru Bulls. Vinay and Shivam Patare led the Steelers’ offense with 17 points, while strong defensive performances from Jaideep, Rahul, and Moammadreza Shadloui solidified their victory. Kabaddi Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
