PKL 2019 | All 12 teams are evenly matched so a win against any team is a great result, believes Krishan Kumar Hooda
Dabang Delhi’s coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, after their close encounter against Gujarat, said that all the 12 teams are capable of winning and a win is a great result no matter the circumstances. Dabang Delhi won with the scoreline of 30-34 and almost sealed their spot in the playoffs with 64 points.
Dabang Delhi dominated against Gujarat Fortuneginas and that started after a brilliant Super Raid by Naveen Kumar who not only ousted three players on that raid but also inflicted an all-out. Delhi kept building on that lead and then finished the first half with a score of 20-9 in their favour. However, Gujarat made a comeback in the second half where they inflicted an all-out and closed the gap considerably. Though they missed a raider like Naveen who can perform under pressure like he did for Delhi and helped them in getting a win.
“The game of kabaddi is played for 40 minutes. One team can play well in the first half and the other can respond just as well in the second. We played well against a good team and executed the game plan well. All 12 teams are evenly matched in this league so a win against any team is a great result,” coach Krishan Kumar Hooda said in the post-match press conference.Â
Despite missing a good support raider, Delhi didn’t seem to be in too much trouble as Naveen picked up the slack. Also Vijay worked well as an allrounder and scored 5 raid points and facilitated Naveen in the second half. Whereas the defence which was phenomenal in the first faltered in the second but it didn’t harm the team much.
“We don’t think that far ahead in the future and we don’t plan for a specific team or player in advance. There’s a lot of kabaddi left to be played. We can only plan for playoffs post the Jaipur leg. There is no rush to plan for any team in particular. We take it game by game,” Hooda said when asked about potential showdown with Bengal Warriors in the play-offs.
Dabang Delhi are currently at the top of the table with 64 points in 15 matches and are most certainly into the playoffs as the mark is said to be around 60. Talking about the same coach Hooda said, “I did not set that mark. I don’t believe in predicting the future. Each result is different. Any team can win four on the trot and climb a few places in the table. Puneri Paltan, who are on 34, Patna Pirates, who are on 35, still have the belief that they will make it to the playoffs. I do agree that 60 points will most certainly guarantee a spot in the playoffs. But the future has no guarantees.”
“Sachin Tendulkar once said; “Always dream and aim for more.” The position we are in, we have to push for a top two finish. We cannot dwell on what has happened and rest on our laurels and stay content with our current position,” Hooda said when asked if they are aiming to finish in the top 2 and he signed off.Â