PKL 2019 | We allowed U Mumba chance to comeback into game, says Rakesh Kumar

Haryana Steelers are currently at the fifth spot on the points table with five wins in nine matches after their 30-27 win against U Mumba on Monday. Even though U Mumba got the first points, Haryana Steelers were not far behind as Vikas Kandola’s Super Raid 6 minutes into the game helped them inflict an easy all-out. The Steelers went on to build on that lead and ended the first half leading by 6 points. However, in the second half, U Mumba made a comeback courtesy of three super tackles which helped them inflict an all-out onto the Steelers.

“It all depends on the situation. We started the match with Prashanth Kumar Rai raiding because I told him that against six or seven defenders, he must try to score points. He’s a very good raider who has just returned from injury. Even though he’s not back to his best yet, he’ll slowly but surely improve with practice. My instructions to him were not to go too deep and just try for the bonus, which he did. But he’s not fit to play a full game, which is why I play him for about 10-15 minutes and then change according to the plan. Vinay and Naveen are also good raiders who know how to get bonus points,” coach Rakesh said on flexibility of the raiders.

“I had introduced Chand Singh from the bench to avoid the All-Out. He’s very good at the ankle hold and opposition raiders aren’t aware of that. So, I had full faith in him and told him at the start of the match that when I put you in to play, you have to grab hold of the raider’s ankle. So, a lot of the credit for today’s win goes to Chand Singh because without him, we would have succumbed to an All-Out much earlier and U Mumba would have more time on the clock to comeback,” coach Rakesh concluded.