PKL 2019 | How Gujarat Fortunegiants and Dabang Delhi game ended in tie

10/10/2018

The ongoing sixth season of the Pro Kabaddi League saw another tied game in the third day itself as Gujarat Fortunegiants and Dabang Delhi were levelled at 32-32 after 40 minutes of action. Chandran Ranjit starred for the Delhi team as they came back strong after trailing at half-time.

Joginder Narwal’s hot-headedness of no help for Delhi

Joginder Singh Narwal has taken up the responsibility of the Dabang Delhi team this year and is someone who does not take things easy, something that was on display in yesterday’s game that cost them dearer in the end. The skipper was sent off the mat in the sixth minute by Rohit as he unnecessarily went down on his knees for a solo tackle. He tried an ankle hold anticipating support from Vishal Mane that he didn’t get and Rohit secured a point in that do or die raid for Gujarat. As a captain, one can’t be that impatient so early in the game and that too in a do or die raid, where the raider has to score a point. He attempted seven tackles in total but was successful only on three occasions in their first game. This might be a cause of concern for Delhi team in the long run and the experienced left corner needs to remain calm and composed at crucial junctures.

Ravinder Pahal’s effectiveness in the right corner

The Dabang Delhi defence was considered their strong point in the sixth season of the PKL but that was not on display in their opening encounter as the left corner was guarded properly by the experienced Ravinder Pahal. Pahal came to Delhi’s rescue by getting rid of Sachin, where he first blocked him and then took him off the mat with a dash. In the second half, he blocked Prapanjan with a strong double thigh hold by coming from the blind side of the raider. The Hawk was very effective in the entire course of the game and unlike Joginder, he didn’t make unnecessary attempts either. Had there been a good support by Vishal Mane and Joginder, Delhi would have done much well in the defence where they trailed by one point against Gujarat.

Chandran Ranjit’s all-round show to bring Delhi back

Chandran Ranjit came as a substitute raider after Naveen Kumar and Sabbeer Bappu were unimpressive in the first half. Ranjit became successful in the raids because of his swift movement on the mat and a good presence of mind during the entire course of the game where he was used more in the second half and he made the chance count in the match. He effected a brilliant back kick on the left in which is one of the examples of his quick footwork. He went deep to find a touch point on the right corner with four defenders there but quickly moved to the left side of the mat and unleashed the back kick on the left in who was caught unaware. He then proved his worth as a defender with a stunning diving double thigh hold to send back Sachin in Gujarat’s next raid. He went for another raid right after that and came back with two points. With three defenders on the mat, there was a super tackle opportunity for Gujarat. Ranjit as always targeted the right corner first by going deep into their half but, when the two defenders came from the left to dash him out he cleverly evaded them with his quick footwork and returned with two points.

Gujarat’s tactical ploy of not giving easy point in the end

Just in the last minute of the game, Dabang Delhi already had the lead with them but Pahal made a rare mistake in the defence which allowed Gujarat to level the scores. Pawan Kadian then went on to raid and after crossing the baulk line he tried to attack the right corner and even was looking forward to a bonus point but the Gujarat defence was in no mood to concede one. Gujarat maintained a high line of defence and hence didn’t allow the raider to take a bonus. Kadian then gave up hope and spent the remaining time standing close to the mid-line and both the teams settled for a tie.