Pro Kabaddi League 11: Patna Pirates gets the better of Dabang Delhi to set up finale against Haryana Steelers

Pro Kabaddi League 11: Patna Pirates gets the better of Dabang Delhi to set up finale against Haryana Steelers

Patna Pirates ended Dabang Delhi’s unbeaten streak in 15 matches with a narrow 32-28 victory in Pro Kabaddi League season 11 at the Sree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, here on Friday to make its way to the final.

The Pirates started the match with intensity and took the attack to Delhi through its dynamic raiding duo of Devank Dalal and Ayan Lohchab, taking a five-point lead after 10 minutes.

Down to the last man on the mat, Delhi’s super-sub Mohit produced a three-point raid to keep his team in the contest in the early stage of the second phase.

The three-time champions Pirates finally inflicted an all-out attack on Delhi, further solidifying their dominance and extending its lead to a substantial 12-8 margin around the 15-minute mark.

At half-time, the Pirates maintained a significant seven-point advantage over its opponents, setting the stage for a potentially decisive victory.

However, Delhi, inspired by its talismanic skipper, staged a remarkable comeback. Its defence also began to contribute significantly, putting immense pressure on the Pirates’ raiding unit. The Season Eight champion, Delhi, initiated the final phase with an all-out of its own, dramatically reducing the deficit to a mere point.

With precious minutes remaining, the score was locked at 27-all, creating an atmosphere of intense suspense. In a crucial do-or-die raid, Ayan executed a successful touch on Yogesh, giving the Pirates a slender lead.

He then capitalised on the momentum, securing two crucial points in the penultimate raid of the match, effectively sealing the victory for his team.

For Delhi, Ashu emerged as a key contributor with nine points, while Mohit impressed with seven points. However, its defence struggled to contain the Pirates’ raiding unit, particularly in the first half, which ultimately proved to be a significant factor in the defeat.

The Patna-based outfit showcased a strong defence, accumulating 12 tackle points. Left-corner defender Shubham Shinde played a pivotal role, contributing five points to its defensive efforts.

Pirates will now strive for its fourth PKL title when it faces Haryana Steelers in the grand finale on Sunday.