Pro Kabaddi: Just 4 points, but still a man of the match performance by Jasvir Singh
In any game where scoring the most points, goals, runs or wickets for your team is the key to success, there are times where mind games often prove to be decisive. This was displayed in immaculate fashion by Jaipur Pink Panthers captain Jasvir Singh against Bengaluru Bulls. The man known for his cunning smile is now better known for his empty raids.
The Jaipur skipper went out to the opposition half 23 times, but returned with just 2 points in total during raiding. It wasn’t that this big fellow from lands of Haryana was so incompetent that he could not win his team some points, but he executed his team’s strategy to the T. The experienced campaigner prevented the Bulls from making a comeback in the game by changing the pace of the game by returning with 21 empty raids.
It is that time in the league where we notice that teams largely rely on their defence to gain points. It is the stage where no team can afford to lose and thus, unnecessary risks are avoided. In this must-win contest between Jaipur Pink Panthers and Bengaluru Bulls, the spotlight fell on Jasvir Singh in the very first minute, but he was tackled.
A tactical performance by Jasvir
After such an unceremonious start, one could be forgiven for thinking Jasvir might get demoralised in front of a full Kanteerava stadium. But, the lion-hearted raider played flawlessly for the next 36 minutes as Jaipur dominated throughout the game. Team Jaipur continued to gain points and build lead in defense while this man was busy in keeping the clock moving as much as he could.
This was frustrating for Bengaluru as were relying largely on defense, but all Jasvir Singh was doing was touching the baulk line and standing near the halfway line as if walking down the garden till the timer suggested it’s go time. He spent an average of 25 seconds per raid, making sure that his team maintained the lead till the very end.
This was infuriating for the Bengaluru fans as the man known for teasing and taunting the opposition was now teased and taunted by the Bengaluru crowd. This continued till the very last moment, the buzzer raid which, too, was an empty raid by Jasvir. The buzzer blew and Jaipur Pink Panthers registered a 2-point win over Bengaluru Bulls to leapfrog the hosts with their 6th win of the season.
Just four points in total for Jasvir, two in a super tackle and the other two in 23 raids, but it was this clever performance by the Jaipur raider that ensured the win for the visitors and lifted them above the opponents