In an exciting start to the 2024 Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), the Telugu Titans registered a significant 37-29 win over the Bengaluru Bulls. The match took place at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Indoor Stadium and marked the Titans’ first victory against the Bulls since Season 6.
Pawan Sehrawat Leads From the Front
Telugu Titans’ captain Pawan Sehrawat stole the show with a stellar performance, collecting 13 raid points. Popularly known as the ‘Highflyer,’ Pawan set the tone early by scoring two points in his very first raid of the match. His contributions were crucial as the Titans maintained control, even though he was sent out twice during the game.
Krishna Dhull also shone for the home team, completing a High-5 and playing a vital role in defense. The team’s collective efforts ensured they stayed ahead of their rivals, despite Bengaluru Bulls making a strong comeback midway through the match.
Bengaluru Bulls Struggle to Keep Up
The Bengaluru Bulls had high hopes, especially with the presence of Pardeep Narwal, one of the league’s top raiders. However, the Bulls’ captain struggled throughout the match, scoring only 3 points. Pardeep, known as the ‘Dubki King’ for his ability to evade defenders, was kept in check by the Titans’ defense.
After trailing by 9 points at halftime with a score of 20-11, the Bulls mounted a comeback. By the 30th minute, they had closed the gap to just one point, bringing the score to 24-23. However, the Titans’ defense proved too strong, especially in the final minutes of the game.
Titans Dominate Early Stages
The Titans started strong and took a 9-6 lead in the first 10 minutes, with Pawan contributing four points. The Titans’ defense also made key contributions by neutralizing key raiders from the Bulls’ side. Bengaluru’s star raider, Pardeep, was repeatedly caught during do-or-die raids, preventing him from gaining momentum.
The Titans extended their lead by executing an all-out on the Bulls, stretching their advantage to 16-8. By halftime, the home side was sitting comfortably with a 20-11 lead, placing immense pressure on the Bengaluru Bulls.
Bengaluru Bulls Show Signs of Recovery
Despite trailing by nine points at halftime, the Bengaluru Bulls showed resilience in the second half. Ajinkya Pawar revived Pawan Sehrawat twice, helping the Titans maintain their lead. On the other hand, the Bulls’ defense began to show improvement by stopping key raids from the Titans.
The Bulls reduced the deficit with some excellent defense, eventually setting the Titans in a super tackle situation. At one point, Pardeep Narwal single-handedly all-outed the Titans, bringing the score to 22-25, and suddenly the game was on a knife-edge.
Titans Seal the Victory in the Final Minutes
In the last 10 minutes, the match took an exciting turn, with the Titans holding onto a narrow 24-23 lead. Pawan Sehrawat then delivered a series of match-winning performances, achieving the first Super-10 of the season and reaching a career milestone of 1,200 raid points.
Bengaluru’s defense couldn’t handle the pressure in the final moments, and the Titans took full advantage. They scored two consecutive points and secured another all-out, pushing the score to 35-26. Krishna Dhull, with a High-5 performance, emerged as another key contributor, alongside Pawan, in helping the Titans secure their victory.
In the end, the Telugu Titans wrapped up the match with a comfortable 37-29 win, marking a perfect start to their Pro Kabaddi 2024 campaign. Despite a valiant comeback attempt by the Bengaluru Bulls, the Titans’ defense, coupled with Pawan Sehrawat’s brilliance, proved too much to handle.
Key Points from the Match:
- Pawan Sehrawat’s Super-10: Captain Pawan Sehrawat dominated the match with 13 raid points, achieving the first Super-10 of the season.
- Krishna Dhull’s High-5: Krishna Dhull excelled in defense, completing a High-5 and playing a crucial role in the Titans’ success.
- Pardeep Narwal’s Struggles: Bengaluru Bulls’ captain Pardeep Narwal was unable to make a significant impact, scoring only 3 points.
- Bengaluru Bulls’ Comeback: After trailing by 9 points, the Bulls closed the gap to just 1 but couldn’t sustain the momentum in the final minutes.
The Telugu Titans will be looking to build on this win as they move further into the season, while the Bengaluru Bulls will aim to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming matches.
