Pro Kabaddi 2016, Season 4: Kolkata Leg Recap - Patna Pirates regain top spot
The Patna Pirates used the 6th leg of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi Season 4, which was the only leg played in the East, to regain the top spot after twin wins in the City of Joy. Home team Bengal Warriors moved away from the bottom place with 1 win and a 1 draw in 4 matches. Bengaluru Bulls bounced back strongly while Telugu Titans also shined at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium.
The first day of the leg saw a surprise result as then table toppers Jaipur Pink Panthers went down 25-32 to home team Bengal Warriors. Crowd favourite Jang Kun Lee (13 points) and bonus point specialist Ajay Kumar (11 points) starred in this extremely attacking match which kicked off proceedings in Kolkata.
The second match of the day was a replay of last year’s final as Patna Pirates faced U Mumba and managed to complete the double over the team from Maharashtra. Pirates captain Dharmaraj Cheralathan, with 7 defence points, starred against the Season 2 winners. Rajesh Mondal did the damage in the other half with his aggressive raids and amassed 8 points to help Pirates win 34-24.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi Season 4: Patna Pirates happy to have Pardeep Narwal back in form
The Pink Panthers managed to hand Puneri Paltan their fourth loss on the second day of the Kolkata leg. Ajay Thakur’s and Deepak Niwas Hooda’s 9 points each went in vain as the Panthers took the top spot once again. Jaipur’s stay at the top didn’t last long as defending champions Patna Pirates handed the home team a 33-27 loss in the very next match. Pardeep Narwal came alive in the second half and Fazel Atrachali repelled every attack by the Warriors in the end as they completed their 8th win of the tournament.
The third day was a tight affair between Bengal Warriors and Telugu Titans. The team from Hyderabad led by 7 points at half-time, but Jang Kun Lee, who ended the match with 13 points, inspired the Warriors in the second half. The last say, however, went to Rahul Chaudhari, who, with a second left in the match, went in to raid and won a dramatic point that ensured a 34-34 draw for the visitors.
On the final day of the Kolkata leg, Telugu Titans waved aside a tame challenge by Dabang Delhi to reach the second spot in the Pro Kabaddi table. Rahul Chaudhari gave a raiding masterclass as he amassed a mammoth 16 points, with 14 of them coming through his aggressive raids. Jasmer Singh Gulia completed a high 5 to ensure no raider from Delhi shined.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi 2016 Season 4: The curious case of Dabang Delhi
The final match of the day witnessed a cracking match as Bengaluru Bulls ended Bengal Warriors’ Season 4 campaign with a 27-25 win. The home team were leading by 7 points at the break, but were left stunned with the Bulls’ comeback in the second half. Rohit Kumar scored 8 points while Ashish Kumar put up an all-round effort to help the Bulls salvage some pride after a disappointing home leg.
The league table is now taking shape as the tournament enters into the business end and Patna Pirates have all, but secured the play-off spot. 3rd-placed Pink Panthers are behind Telugu Titans on score difference while Puneri Paltan round up the top 4. U Mumba, who will host the tournament next, are 5th in the table, 1 point ahead of the Bulls. Dabang Delhi have now slipped to the bottom of the table below Bengal Warriors.