In a high-stakes Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 12 encounter, the Haryana Steelers triumphed over the Gujarat Giants with a commanding 50-32 scoreline at the Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi. This victory not only guarantees the Steelers a place in the PKL playoffs but also confirms the qualification of the Jaipur Pink Panthers for the postseason.
The Haryana Steelers displayed exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance, highlighted by outstanding ‘Super 10s’ from raiders Shivam Patare and Vinay. Patare’s offensive prowess was evident as he notched 16 raid points, crossing the significant milestone of 400 career raid points in the league. Despite a spirited performance from Gujarat’s Himanshu Singh, who also achieved a ‘Super 10′, the Giants could not overcome the Steelers’ dominance.
From the outset, Haryana asserted their authority. Vinay initiated the scoring, followed by a strong defensive move by Jaideep. The Gujarat Giants responded with efforts from Himanshu Singh and Nitin Panwar, and a crucial tackle by Lucky Sharma, enabling them to inflict an ‘All Out’ and briefly shift the momentum.
However, the Steelers swiftly regained control. Shivam Patare was a force on both ends of the mat, contributing to a tied score of 10-10. The team capitalized on this surge, with Hardeep and Shivam Patare consistently contributing. A pivotal tackle from Rahul facilitated another ‘All Out’, giving Haryana a four-point lead. Although Mohammadreza Shadloui of Gujarat made defensive plays, the Steelers maintained a solid 21-15 lead at the half.
The second half began at a more measured pace, with tactical tackles exchanged. Shivam Patare and Ankit Dahiya successfully executed ‘Do-Or-Die Raids’. Shivam Patare then reached his ‘Super 10’, widening the scoreline to a ten-point gap. With ten minutes left, Ankit Dahiya’s impactful ‘Super Raid’ brought Gujarat within seven points, keeping their hopes alive. Nevertheless, Neeraj’s crucial tackle and a subsequent ‘All Out’ effectively ended the Giants’ challenge. Vinay sealed the win with a remarkable four-point ‘Super Raid’, making it 39-26. Both Vinay and Gujarat’s Himanshu Singh achieved ‘Super 10s’ in a determined effort. Despite Himanshu’s late surge to reduce the deficit to 40-30, the Haryana Steelers held firm, closing out the match with a decisive 50-32 victory and securing their playoff spot.