Report: Former champions U-Mumba led for large parts but eventually succumbed to the grit of local rivals Puneri Paltan and settle for an entertaining 32-32 draw in the opening day’s second game of the Pro Kabaddi tournament here at the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Sunday. After inflicting the only all out of the match in latter stages of the first half, U Mumba pulled away from 20-20 at one stage early on in the second period to lead by two points in the dying seconds of the tie. But a successful raid from Monu followed by the Pune defence hacking down U Mumba’s star raider Siddharth Desai to the mat dashed U Mumba’s hopes of starting afresh after a dismal previous season where they lost four of their last five matches to miss out from the qualification scenario for the playoffs. Nitin Tomar racked up 15 raid points for Pune while Desai scored one less for U Mumba as both the Maharashtra sides fought tooth and nail till the final whistle in an exhibition of fitness shown by both sets of players. With the result, U Mumba have now failed to get past Pune on five occasions in the last six meetings. There was nothing to choose between teams for much of the first period barring U Mumba inflicting an all out on their local rivals who frittered their three-point lead at one point (9-6) to trail 14-18. However, two successful raids from Nitin Tomar coupled with Siddharth Desai failing to get the better of Pune defence helped Pune end the half at 18-20. Post the breather, Monu helped Pune take the first point with a successful raid. Abhishek Singh faltered for U Mumba to level proceedings at 20-20 but Rohit Baliyan restored his side’s lead to two points. In form Siddharth then scored a super raid to stretch U Mumba’s lead to four points (21-25) but Tomar kept Pune in the game till the end and his efforts paid off when first Monu raided successfully followed by the Pune defence hacking Siddharth to the mat to level proceedings.
Highlights, Pro Kabaddi League 2018, Puneri Paltan vs Haryana Steelers: Pune beat Haryana to record first win
Catch the live score and updates from Pro Kabaddi League match between Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers
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FT: PUN 34-22 HAR
A solid display from Puneri Paltan raiders gives them their first win of the season. Haryana were not at the races in the second half
36’ PUN 30-17 HAR
ALL OUT! Haryana are cleaned up again. Pune have found form in the second half. That should be curtains for the Steelers
34’ PUN 25-17 HAR
Gurunath More takes two crucial points in a do-or-die raid. Haryana miss golden chance to intiate comeback
30’ PUN 22-16 HAR
Vikash Khandola is sent back to the mat. Fine combination tackle from Pune who are maintaining their advnatge
24’ PUN 18-12 HAR
Pune maintain six-point lead early in the second half, but both defences looking shaky early in the second half
21’ PUN 15-9 HAR
The second half is underway. Can Haryana come back in the game, or will Pune march on?
HT: PUN 15-9 HAR
Late surge from Pune puts them in front at the break. But plenty to play for in the second half
18’ PUN 14-8 HAR
ALL OUT! Puneri Paltan have come into their own. Both raiding defensive departments firing and Haryana have had no answers in last three minutes
EVEN CONTEST
12’ PUN 6-7 HAR
The game swings again. Haryana take the lead after sending Nitin Tomar to the bench. Can Steelers profit from his absence?
8’ PUN 5-4 HAR
Excellent combination tackle from Pune who have taken the lead for the first time in the game
6’ PUN 3-4 HAR
Close game. After a good start from Haryana raiders, the Pune defence is finding its feet.
IT STARTS!
Puneri Paltan vs Haryana Steelers is underway. After two empty raids, Vikash Khandola gets the first point for Haryana with a hand touch.
Catch our correspondent Kaushal Shukla preview today’s action in Pro Kabaddi
TEAMS!
TEAM NEWS!
Puneri Paltan: Rajesh Mondal dropped to the substitutes bench for Puneri Paltan. Gurunath More starts in his place. Deepak Kumar Dahiya comes in for Monu
Haryana Steelers: No Monu Goyat for Haryana Steelers. The most expensive player in PKL history is not even on the bench for the Steelers.
Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the Pro Kabaddi League. The first match of the evening will see Puneri Paltan take on Haryana Steelers. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season. This will be Haryana Steelers’ first game while Puneri Paltan played out a draw against U Mumba on Sunday.
Stay tune for more updates