5 moments where Puneri Paltan lost the match vs Jaipur Pink Panthers
The defending champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers marched on with a fairly easy 31-18 win over the Puneri Paltan in Delhi. But, it wasn’t all that straightforward for the Pink Panthers as there were moments for the Puneri Paltan where they seemed to be in the ascendancy. But the Paltans failed to capitalise on those crucial moments as they fell to yet another defeat.
We take a look at five crucial moments from the game between Jaipur and Pune where the Puneri Paltan lost out to Jaipur Pink Panthers allowing the Champions to stroll to the win.
1. Rajesh Narwal’s successful raid – 14th minute
Puneri Paltan raced into an early 4-7 lead in the first half and as it seemed they would take charge, Jaipur Pink Panther’s star raider stole two touch points away from the Paltan to change the complexion of the game. With the Paltan’s lead cut to two, the Pune camp was a bag full of nerves.
2. Mahipal Narwal’s unsuccessful raid – 15th minute
After Rajesh Narwal had reduced the deficit to a single point, Mahipal Narwal was successfully tackled by the Pink Panthers. But it was an extremely tight affair as Narwal was centimeters away from crossing the line and making it a Super Raid. But it wasn’t to be as the Pink Panthers got out of jail to level the scores. It was a crucial moment in the game and could have swung the game back in Puneri Paltan’s favour.
3. Wazir Singh’s unsuccessful raid – 16th minute
As Puneri Paltan’s lead disappeared, the momentum swung Jaipur’s way. The onus then was on Wazir Singh to get Puneri Paltan in front again, but the Pink Panthers defense was onto him in a flash and successfully tackled him to take the lead in the game. Being a point behind and with Wazir Singh out, Puneri Paltan came under serious pressure.
4. Sonu Narwal’s successful raid – 16th minute
In the very next raid after Wazir Singh’s exit, Puneri Paltan had a chance to level scores again as Sonu Narwal faced a do-or-die raid. But, the impressive Pink Panthers raider got the touch point which was needed and further added to Puneri Paltan’s woes. Sonu Narwal’s raid triggered a collapse as Jaipur Pink Panthers established an eight-point lead at half-time.
5. Ran Singh Successful Raid – 29th minute
Trailing 16-8 at half time, the Puneri Paltan made a bright start to the second half and reduced the deficit to just four points bringing the score at 17-13. Ran Singh of the Jaipur Pink Panthers came in for a do-or-die raid with the all-out scare looming over the champions. Despite Puneri Paltan having momentum in the game, Ran Singh made a successful raid to halt the Puneri Paltan’s second half charge. The Pink Panthers never looked back from there and demolished the Puneri Paltan 31-18 eventually.