In an exhilarating turnaround, Patna Pirates stormed again from a halftime deficit to overpower Puneri Paltan 38-27 in a Professional Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 match on the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Ayan Lohchab was the star but once more together with his 17 factors main the best way, coupled with the defensive unit that allowed them to beat the table-toppers.
The opening ten minutes of the conflict noticed each groups have interaction in a tightly contested tactical battle, with neither aspect keen to concede an inch. The Pirates started by rotating their raiders well by means of Ankit Kumar and Ayan, whereas the defence, led by Deepak and Navdeep, held agency in opposition to Puneri’s early incursions.
Momentum shifted a number of occasions within the early exchanges – Pirates’ well timed tackles countered Paltan’s defensive resistance – and the depth on the mat mirrored the excessive stakes of this early-season encounter. With Ayan’s swift raids and Ankit Kumar’s constant help, Patna managed to maintain a slender lead regardless of Puneri’s resilience in defence. On the finish of ten minutes, the Pirates edged forward, main 8–5.
Ayan remained the standout for the Pirates, executing fast and assured raids to maintain his group in contact, whereas Navdeep marshalled the protection with well-timed tackles. Nonetheless, Puneri’s defensive trio – Abinesh Nadarajan, Rakesh, and Sanjay Enania – proved equally resolute, pulling off a few Tremendous Tackles that shifted momentum of their favour. The exchanges have been fierce, with neither group capable of draw back decisively for a lot of the half.
The Paltan, buoyed by constant contributions from Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, discovered rhythm in the direction of the closing levels of the primary half. Their calculated raids and disciplined defending pressured just a few errors from the Pirates, permitting them to overturn Patna’s early benefit.
With either side locked in a tactical battle Puneri Paltan edged forward on the breather, main 15-13 at halftime.
Ayan continued his stellar kind, scoring essential factors and orchestrating a number of profitable raids that put Puneri Paltan underneath stress. Milan Dahiya additionally made his presence felt with key raids, together with an ALL OUT, giving the Pirates a much-needed enhance.
Regardless of Puneri’s makes an attempt to claw again, led by Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, the Pirates’ cohesion on each ends of the mat allowed them to steadily chip away on the deficit.
The sport remained aggressive, with Paltan refusing to let the Pirates run away with the lead totally. Abhishek Gunge mounted counter-attacks and Nabibakhsh delivered very important raids, holding the scoreline tight and the momentum shifting. Nonetheless, the Pirates’ balanced efficiency in each raiding and protection noticed them steadily set up a slender higher hand.
Constructing on the momentum from the sooner levels of the second half, the Pirates’ raiders, led by Ayan and Stuart Singh, executed sharp, high-pressure raids that constantly discovered their mark.
The Pirates’ protection additionally tightened, with Ankit and Navdeep making essential stops to thwart Puneri’s makes an attempt at a comeback. The mixture of scientific raiding and disciplined defending allowed the Pirates to increase their lead whereas holding the Paltan from mounting any sustained problem.
Puneri Paltan did present flashes of resistance, with Abhishek Gunge and Nabibakhsh scoring intermittently. Every profitable raid by the Pirates widened the hole, making it more and more tough for Puneri to shut the hole. In the long run, Patna Pirates’ balanced efficiency throughout each raiding and protection noticed them draw back decisively to assert a snug win.