PKL 2019 | If our raiding unit was at 100% we could have won this match, believes Maninder Singh

Both the teams started strong as their raiders were able to score points in the first raid itself. Bengal’s defence started slow as they got their first point five minutes into the game. Skipper Maninder, after getting 2 quick points, struggled to find his third and got out thrice before that point. The first half was a see-saw for most parts as both teams were performing equally. The momentum shifted to Gujarat’s side when Sonu executed a super raid and managed to oust three of their main defenders. Hence, Fortuneginats ended the first half leading by just two points.

“There was definitely more we could have done. I think if we were at a 100% then we could have won this match. Besides that, we had planned to let the raider who is doing better, do the bulk of the raiding. We played according to the situation of the match,” Skipper Maninder Singh said in the post-match press conference.

Both teams were getting close but none of them was able to inflict an all-out on the other. In the last two minutes, Gujarat had a two-point lead and both the teams were due for a do-or-die raid. Bengal, courtesy of Maninder, got a point in their raid and Sachin Tanwar got a point in Gujarat’s raid too, keeping the difference intact. All Gujarat now had to do was bid the time but two of their most experienced defenders, Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal, made a mistake and ended up giving two points to Maninder hence ending the match in a tie.

“I’m not particularly disappointed with this result. It was a good game of kabaddi. The players played really well. Of course, we wanted to win. But in the end, we had to settle for a tie, which is fine,” coach BC Ramesh expressed.

Bengal’s raiding department scored a total of 17 points, nine of those points were scored by Maninder.  K. Prapanjan scored three raid points and had no unsuccessful raids however he tired to defend and got out thrice there hence he was not able to support Maninder much.

“Once Rohit Gulia was brought in, he put in a couple of good bonus points and took a few good points using his skills. K. Prapanjan went for a follow catch but that too went wrong. I think that gave Gujarat Fortunegiants some momentum and turned the match around,” BC Ramesh concluded