New Delhi: Haryana Steelers outplayed Patna Pirates by a sublime margin of 32-23 in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 11 final. This was the first ever PKL title for the Haryana franchise after making its debut in 2017 in the season 5. This was the first title for Manpreet Singh as a coach after having won the title with Patna Pirates – the other finalists – in season 5.
Shivam Patare had tears in his eyes when Jaideep Dahiya went for the final raid. It was the moment for the entire Haryana camp – players on the mat and substitutes and coaches off the mat – to display their emotions. Just after the final whistle blew, the drums were on the mat and the Steelers showed moves of jubilance as it was their maiden title in the PKL.
Haryana Steelers became the eighth team to lift the PKL title at least one as the 11th season came to an end at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune. Patna Pirates remain the most successful team in the tournament with three trophies in their cabinet, nonetheless they missed the fourth tonight. Jaipur Pink Panthers (two) are the only other team to win at least two titles.
PKL season 11 final: As it happened
Shadloui got the hold of Devank Dalal in first raid before Shivam Patare plunders a point. Ankit Jagalan, from left corner, picks the first point for the Pirates, with the hold of Patare. Devank returned to the mat and gets his first raid point of the final match. In his following raid, Devank was keen on getting Shadloui with a few kicks attempted, but Rahul Sethpal came off the box for a back tackle to send the young Patna raider again on the bench.
Shadloui later grabbed Ayan Lohchab with both hands to leave no room for the raider to escape the seize. Patna’s Sudhakar M got the better of Naveen Rawal in the do-or-die raid. Haryana Steelers were in the lead at 7-5 at the halfway path of the first half.
Devank had his first point against Shadloui as the Iranian went for a sliding tackle but lost his balance and the Patna raider was back to his court. Ayan later added two points in his raid to put Patna in the lead (8-7) for the first time in the day. He was later grabbed in a super tackle with Shivam Patare leading the charge with three defenders left on the mat for Haryana.
Shivam was grabbed in a similar ‘super tackle’ manner just before the first half as Patna Pirates picked two crucial points, though the Steelers were in a three-point lead.
Sudhakar made the first touch, and once again it was Naveen at the receiving end. Pirates later held Vinay with collective efforts being displayed as it was the first successful tackle in the second half. He was pushed aside from the mat by Jaideep in his next raid as Haryana kept the lead.
Devank wasn’t able to get the hands on the Steelers who were watchful on the 24-year-old’s moves. He was twice caught in the second half (for the first 10 minutes as the Haryana team were in 19-16 lead with just 10 minutes left in the final.
Haryana Steelers press accelerator button
Vinay picked two points after the break to extend the lead and Sudhakar was caught subsequently as the Steelers started dictated the terms. In just the matter of two minutes, the Patna Pirates were all-out and the momentum was now on Haryana’s side. A 26-16 scoreline needed immense efforts to turnaround for Patna.
The Steelers changed the strategy to plunder bonus points even if that meant to surrender to the Patna defence. Devank, who looked insipid throughout the final, completed his fourth point to attain the milestone of 300 raid points in a particular season, though that didn’t helped in Patna’s cause to stage a comeback.
The Haryana Steelers clinched their first-ever Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) title, defeating the Patna Pirates 32-23 in a thrilling final. The victory marked a historic moment for the Haryana franchise, who debuted in 2017. Manpreet Singh also secured his first coaching title. The Steelers showcased superior strategy and execution, ultimately dominating the second half to secure the win. Kabaddi Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
