Patna Pirates Beat Table-Toppers Puneri Paltan 38-27

Patna Pirates staged a second-half comeback to defeat Puneri Paltan 38-27 at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. Ayan Lohchab led with 17 points, while Ankit Kumar, Stuwart Singh, and Milan Dahiya contributed crucial raids. Defenders Navdeep and Deepak held firm, countering Puneri’s Abinesh Nadarajan and Rakesh. Patna’s balanced attack and defence secured a decisive victory over the league leaders.

When the Patna Pirates faced table-toppers Puneri Paltan at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Sunday, the clash delivered a thrilling display of strategy and skill. Despite trailing 15-13 at halftime, the Pirates staged a remarkable comeback to win 38-27, led by the exceptional performance of Ayan Lohchab, who scored 17 points. The first half was tightly contested, with Patna rotating raiders Ayan and Ankit Kumar effectively, while defenders Deepak and Navdeep held Puneri’s raids at bay.

Puneri’s defensive trio of Abinesh Nadarajan, Rakesh, and Sanjay Enania executed key tackles, including Super Tackles, allowing Paltan to gain a slender halftime lead. Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh also contributed crucial points, keeping the Pirates under pressure. In the second half, Ayan continued to dominate with precise raids, supported by Milan Dahiya and Stuwart Singh, including an ALL OUT that boosted the Pirates’ momentum.

The defensive unit, particularly Ankit and Navdeep, tightened to neutralize Puneri’s attacks. Despite intermittent resistance from Gunge and Nabibakhsh, Patna’s balanced approach in raiding and defence gradually extended their lead. Ultimately, the Pirates’ cohesion and clinical execution allowed them to overturn the halftime deficit and secure a convincing 38-27 victory, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess against the top-ranked Puneri Paltan.