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Three-time champions Patna Pirates beat Puneri Paltan 38-26 in match 17 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 at The Sheraton Grand, Whitefield, Bengaluru. Sachin Tanwar scored a Super 10 and was ably supported by Patna’s defensive trio of Sunil (4 points), Mohammadreza Chiyaneh (3 points) and Sajin C (3 points) in the match. Patna Pirates secured their second win in three matches this season while Puneri Paltan succumbed to their second loss in as many games.  

All eyes were once again on Pune’s Rahul Chaudhari but the ‘Showman’ despite starting the match, was substituted for young Mohit Goyat by coach Anup Kumar in the first half. The trio of raiders including Aslam Inamdar and Pankaj Mohite caused problems for the Patna defence while at the other end Prashant Kumar Rai and Sachin were equally effective.

Patna faced the risk of an all-out with six minutes left for halftime, but their defender Sajin C completed a Super Tackle to turn the momentum in their favour. The three-time champions got lucky later when Monu Goyat entered the lobby without contact, in a do-or-die raid only to be followed by three Pune defenders who had been deceived by his actions.

The first half ended 14-14 with Pune having just two men on the mat.

In the second half, Shubham Shelke was brought in for Pankaj Mohite by the Puneri Paltan but Patna kept fighting back with tackles from the likes of Mohammadreza Chiyaneh and Sajin. With 10 minutes remaining, Patna had a four-point lead and that was extended as Pune’s plan to play on the do-or-die raid backfired. Sachin scored two points in the crucial raid for Patna to inflict another all-out in the 13th minute and open up a 10-point lead.

Thereafter, Patna continued to maintain the lead without allowing Puneri Paltan any chance of making a comeback. 

Featured photo: Pro Kabaddi 

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