PKL 2019 | Before we rely on others, we need to win our games, says Anup Kumar

In the 99th match of the season, Puneri Paltan started strong and maintained that flow till the first half ended. The momentum shifted to their side after a three-point super raid from Pankaj Mohite which left Bengaluru with only one player and in the very next raid led to their all-out. Pune continued with the lead and finished the first half with a score of 20-15. Though their lead diminished in the second half, their defence along with Pankaj Mohite did well to earn the victory.

“We need to focus on our remaining matches and win them and then maybe we can depend on results elsewhere and qualify for the playoffs. But before we rely on others, we need to win our games. And if Pankaj and Surjeet play like they have today, I have no doubt we will win all our remaining games,” Anup Kumar said about Pune’s chances in the play-offs in the post-match press conference. 

The defence was the biggest difference between the two teams as Pune defence scored 17 points whereas Bengaluru’s defence could only score seven. Skipper Surjeet Singh was the hero in the first half as he completed his high five then only. The second half belonged to Sagar Krishna who executed three super tackles at the left corner position and was the highest scorer with seven points.

“The defence was good today. Every close game that we’ve lost this season has been down to the defence. We keep leaking a point in every raid by the opposition in the closing stages of the match and it’s very difficult to cope with that. Today, Pankaj got us points in offence and the defence too scored well,” Anup said. 

Another outstanding performance was by Pankaj Mohite, the saviour for Pune in raiding department. He scored 17 out of the total 18 points by the raiding unit and got out only once that too in his second last raid.

"Pankaj’s future is bright. He will make this nation proud and win medals at the international stage. He plays well in every game and makes full use of every chance he gets. Next season, he will be more mature, fitter and even better. He will be among the top raiders next season,” the Pune coach signed off.