New Delhi, Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) witnessed one of the most thrilling and hard-fought matches as Puneri Paltan edged out Dabang Delhi K.C. in a tie-breaker, winning 6–5 after the match ended in a 38–38 draw at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Sunday night. With this victory, Puneri Paltan climbed to the top of the points table, thanks to a well-rounded performance led by Pankaj Mohite (7 points) and captain Aslam Inamdar (6 points).
This match was a classic encounter in PKL 12, showcasing both teams’ resilience. Though Delhi had a narrow lead in the tie, Puneri made an exceptional comeback, securing a dramatic victory in the tie-breaker. Mohit Goyat’s timely entry off the bench and his crucial raids helped level the game for Puneri. However, Ajinkya Pawar’s unsuccessful raid in the tie-breaker ultimately sealed Delhi’s fate, leaving the team and their fans heartbroken.
Joginder Narwal’s Reaction to Media Questions
After the match, both teams’ representatives addressed the media. Dabang Delhi head coach Joginder Narwal shared his views on the game, highlighting that both teams had given their all, and the outcome was a result of some critical mistakes.
According to Narwal:
“It was just a good match. Both teams are strong and already qualified for the top 8. The match shouldn’t have gone into the tie-breaker, but mistakes led to that. Ajinkya made a mistake in his 5th raid. His performance overall was good, but he faltered when it mattered most.”
He further added:
“The defense did well on several occasions, but at crucial moments, both the defense and offense made mistakes.”
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when a journalist questioned the performance of Delhi’s defense. Coach Narwal, visibly irritated, strongly disagreed with the reporter’s claims and vehemently defended his defenders.
“My defenders played well. Mistakes happen in Kabaddi, and how can you say our defenders didn’t perform well?”
“You media people are making a mountain out of a molehill. Last time, you created a controversy between me and Manpreet. Stop sensationalizing everything,” he added in anger.
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Delhi’s Loss but the Team’s Confidence Remains Intact
Despite the loss, Dabang Delhi is still in a strong position, having already secured a spot in the top 8 of the PKL 12 standings. Coach Narwal, while disappointed, believes that this loss will be a valuable lesson for the team, especially with the knockout stages approaching. He emphasized that such setbacks are part of the sport, and the team needs to focus on learning from mistakes to perform better in future matches.
Coach Narwal’s frustration also highlighted the pressures that coaches face, especially in a high-stakes tournament like the Pro Kabaddi League, where expectations are always high. He is confident that the team will bounce back and perform even better in the upcoming matches.
Key Performers from the Match
The match saw some spectacular individual performances from the Puneri Paltan players, which played a crucial role in their victory:
- Pankaj Mohite (7 points) was the standout performer, leading his team with crucial raids.
- Aslam Inamdar (6 points) played a pivotal role as the captain, keeping his team motivated throughout the match.
- Mohan Goyat, who came off the bench, made an immediate impact with timely raids, shifting the momentum in favor of Puneri.
PKL 12’s clash between Dabang Delhi and Puneri Paltan was one of the most entertaining matches of the season. While Delhi might have been ahead for most of the game, Puneri’s comeback demonstrated the unpredictable nature of Kabaddi.
Coach Joginder Narwal’s outburst after the match reflected the intensity and pressure of the sport, as media scrutiny can sometimes amplify mistakes. However, the loss will serve as a learning opportunity for the team as they move forward in the tournament.
With both teams already securing spots in the top 8, the remaining matches in PKL 12 will surely set the stage for even more intense and thrilling kabaddi action. Puneri Paltan’s victory has surely added another layer of excitement to the ongoing season, and the battle for supremacy in the Pro Kabaddi League is far from over.
