Bengaluru Bulls claim thrilling tie against Jaipur Pink Panthers in PKL
Patna: Bengaluru Bulls produced a sensational comeback to level the scores in the very last raid of the match and secured a 28-28 tie with Jaipur Pink Panthers in their Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 match at the Patliputra Indoor Stadium here on Sunday night.
Bengaluru Bulls’ Ran Singh and Monu were the star players of the game with 5 tackle points each. Though Jaipur Pink Panthers did not seal the win, they achieved a slice of history as they extended their unbeaten run to a record 12 games.
Jaipur Pink Panthers made a brisk start and had their opponents in a precarious position with just three men on the mat. Any other team would have wilted under pressure, but Bengaluru Bulls pulled off a defensive masterclass to stay alive. They produced four stunning Super Tackles – two each from Ran Singh and Monu – to not only fight off the All-Out but also take a healthy lead at 15-10 in the 18th minute.
The defending champions faltered in their raiding and Arjun Deshwal had just 1 raid point to his name in the first 20 minutes.
However, he made amends early into the second half with a multi-point raid that paved the way for the first All-Out in the 23rd minute. The side from Jaipur levelled the scores at 18-18 and the see-saw battle for the lead continued.
Monu and Ran Singh brought up their High 5s midway through the second period and Bengaluru Bulls opened up a slender lead at 22-18.
However, the Jaipur team increased their intensity of play and their defence shored up as they did what their opponents did in the first half – execute a couple of much-needed Super Tackles – to catch up to Bengaluru Bulls at 23-23 with a little over seven minutes left.
Jaipur Pink Panthers then sneaked away to a two-point lead and had an advantage when Bhavani Rajput’s brilliant multi-point raid put them ahead at 28-26. The game was poised in their favour as there was just one minute left on the clock and Bengaluru Bulls only had three men.
However, Bharat, who had come off the bench, grabbed a touch point and then executed a fine ankle hold on Arjun Deshwal to win his side invaluable points as he ensured his team split the points with the reigning champions.