Haryana Steelers soared to the top of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 points table after a hard-fought 37-32 victory over Patna Pirates in the 52nd match at Noida Indoor Stadium. This win marks the Steelers’ fourth consecutive triumph and their seventh victory in just nine matches this season. Patna, on the other hand, faces their fourth defeat, which keeps them trailing in the points table.
Key Performers and Game Highlights
Several players from Haryana played pivotal roles in securing the win. Vinay, with 6 points, Shivam Patare with 5, Mohammadreza Shadlu with 6, and Rahul Setpal with a High-5 performance were instrumental in the victory. Patna’s side saw commendable efforts from Devank and Ayaan, who scored 7 points each, but they struggled to make an impact in defense.
The Raiders from Patna initially looked strong and even made a comeback at one point, but they were unable to maintain their momentum. Vinay’s skills shone when he took advantage of a do-or-die raid early on, giving Haryana an edge with a 3-2 lead, setting the pace for the rest of the game. This raid not only put Haryana ahead but also gave their defense the confidence to push forward.
Match Moments: Defense and Comebacks
Haryana’s defense, led by Setpal and Shadlu, was relentless. Setpal’s well-timed tackles against key Patna players like Ayaan and Devank helped Haryana extend their lead to 7-4. A major moment came when Haryana faced a super tackle situation. In response, Shadlu tackled Ayaan, which ultimately led to Patna being all-out, putting Haryana ahead with a solid 15-8 lead.
As the match progressed, Patna tried to narrow the gap, showing resilience in defense. In the 13th minute, Patna claimed their first tackle point, bringing the score to 10-15. But Haryana quickly responded, with Jaideep dismissing Ayaan and increasing the score gap to 19-13. Vinay then executed another do-or-die raid, which widened Haryana’s lead to 20-14 before halftime.
Second Half: Nail-Biting Action and Strategic Moves
The second half saw more back-and-forth as Patna tried to close the gap. Ayaan earned a point for Patna, bringing them within four points of Haryana at 23-19. However, Haryana’s Shadlu responded by eliminating key Patna players, keeping their lead intact.
A do-or-die raid by Vinay saw him briefly outmaneuvered, but Patna couldn’t capitalize as Haryana’s defense held strong with timely tackles. When the score tightened at 28-29 after an all-out on Haryana, Vinay quickly helped his team regain the advantage with a powerful raid, scoring multiple points and securing the lead at 34-29.
Final Minutes: Sealing the Victory
With just a few minutes left, the Steelers kept Patna at bay by widening the gap. Vinay scored once more on a do-or-die raid, keeping Patna in a super tackle position. In the last two minutes, Patna managed to close the score gap to 33-37, but Haryana’s defense held firm. In the final raid, Vinay delivered a last-minute point that sealed the game for Haryana, placing them securely at the top of the points table.
Haryana Steelers Take the Lead in PKL 11
With this victory, Haryana Steelers have firmly established themselves as one of the top contenders in PKL Season 11. Their all-round performance, led by standout players like Shadlu, Setpal, and Vinay, demonstrates a balance of defense and offense that few teams can match. The Steelers’ current standing highlights their potential to go far in the tournament, while Patna Pirates will need to regroup and bolster their defense to stay competitive in the season’s upcoming matches.
