PKL 2019 | Our defence and offence played with patience and calculation, says Srinivas Reddy

Jaipur Pink Panthers did exceptionally well in their match against Gujarat Fortunegiants last night. They played as a unit and every player in their team contributed to the win. It was a competition between the defence units of both the teams and Jaipur’s defence triumphed. They collectively scored 13 tackle points as compared to Gujarat's nine. 

“I always say that this is a team sport. It takes a collective to win. Our defence and offence played with patience, calculation and strategically. It was important to play mind games against this opponent and we had planned for that. We didn’t give in till the final minute and the result of that is for all to see,” Jaipur Pink Panthers coach Srinivas Reddy said in the post-match press conference.

Vishal and Sandeep Dhull were the highest scorers in defence with three points each and they were well supported by Praveen TR (2) and Amit Hooda (2). In the raiding department, Deepak Niwas Hodda led from the front as he finished the match with five raid points out of the total nine points scored by the raiding unit. He also scored two tackle points.

“This is Deepak’s seventh season on the trot. So naturally, he has matured the more he has played. He has played in a number of crunch matches so, as a captain, he has to deliver. I told him that along with your role as a captain, your performance should be like that of a captain as well. In the same manner, our two defenders – Sandeep Dhull and Pavan TR – both played with outstanding patience. Whoever we brought on, they delivered for us today,” coach Srinivas Reddy said.

“No, it never felt like the match was slipping away. A couple of points here and there can always be made up. We had decided to play like a team and stick to the basics. I want to credit the entire team for sticking together till the end and executing our plan to precision. I consider myself lucky to be playing with this team,” Deepak Niwas Hooda explained after the match.