PKL 2019 | Surjeet delivered when we needed a big performance, says Anup Kumar

PKL 2019 | Surjeet delivered when we needed a big performance, says Anup Kumar

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PKL

Puneri Paltan coach Anup Kumar has said that skipper Surjeet Singh, who scored 7 tackle points in a tied match against Tamil Thalaivas, performed in defence when the team needed it the most. He also talked about his former coach Edacherry Bhaskaran and what he has learnt while playing for him.

Puneri Paltan are currently at the bottom of the points table with five losses against their name and their match last night, which ended in a tie, didn’t help their campaign. Puneri Paltan was able to inflict an all-out early but they were unable to sustain that lead. So, by the end of the first half they were just two points ahead. In defence more than half of the points were scored by the skipper Surjeet Singh as he didn’t get solid support from other defenders. 

“One moment cost us the win. We had the win in the bag but that Super Raid cost us the victory. I'm very impressed by how Surjeet played. We needed a big performance from him in defence and he delivered,” coach Anup Kumar said in the post-match press conference.

Two minutes into the second half, Tamil Thalaiavas were able to inflict an all-out onto Puneri Paltan and they had the scores leveled. Pune recovered quickly and were ahead by four points as they took Thalaivas to the verge of an all-out but were unable to inflict one because of careless defence which resulted in Ajith scoring four points and getting a super raid. 

“Absolutely not. We tied a game that we had in the bag,” Anup said when asked if he was happy with the result.

Anup Kumar played against his former coach Edacherry Bhaskaran who is currently the coach of Tamil Thalaivas. When asked about him Anup heaped praises and said, “I have learned a lot from E Bhaskaran sir. I played five seasons under him and he has taught me everything he learned over the years as a coach. His decision-making and ability to read a situation is second to none.” 

In raiding Pankaj Mohite was the top scorer with 7 points but he was not efficiently supported as Nitin Tomar and Manjeet were only able to score four raid points each.

“He’s been a brilliant addition to our roster. He’s a New Young Players (NYP), a fantastic programme. An initiative like that has ensured players like Pankaj get a chance in VIVO Pro Kabaddi,” Anup said on Pankaj Mohite’s performance

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