PKL 2019 | Our combinations were spot on, says Mandar Shetty

Haryana Steelers outplayed Gujarat Fortunegiants in a one-sided encounter last night as they won the match 25-41. Haryana was able to take an early lead as Gujarat defence faltered and the raiding was not able to make much of an impact. So, a three-point raid by Haryana's Vikas Kandola helped them in inflicting an all-out 12 minutes into the game.

“We played well today, and our combinations were spot on. We did have some lapses in defence but we recovered well and the raiders performed very well. Prashanth Kumar Rai also got a few raid points,” Haryana Steelers Assistant coach Mandar Shetty said in the post-match press conference. 

The raiding department gave a more wholesome performance as Kandola and Prasanth Kumar Rai scored eight points each. Vinay played a supporting role and finished the match with five raid and two tackle points. In the defence, Ravi Kumar was on top of his game as he scored six tackle points from seven attempts and he was supported by Vikas Kale who hasn’t been in the best of forms and scored three tackle points. As a result of this win, Haryana Steelers has risen up the ranks and are currently third on the points table with seven wins in 11 matches. 

“After losing the first few matches this season, coach Rakesh Kumar, me and the team regrouped. We planned what to do, played according to the plan and motivated our young players. Everyone responded and began playing well after that. We did have issues at the start, but we’ve turned that around now. We’re confident and on our way up in the standings,” Shetty said.

“We just wanted to give our bench players some game-time in the last few minutes when we already had a big lead and were winning. We had no fitness concerns about any players. It was just about giving some players a chance."