Star Sports Pro Kabaddi Season 4: Hyderabad Leg Recap - Jaipur Pink Panthers move to the top

Telugu Titans lifted themselves from the bottom of the table of the Pro Kabaddi Season 4 courtesy 2 wins at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. The league table saw plenty of movement after the Hyderabad leg as Jaipur Pink Panthers moved to the top while last season’s semi-finalists Bengal Warriors find themselves at the foot of the table after 2 losses in Hyderabad.

After a sensational leg at Jaipur, the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi caravan moved to Hyderabad, where they were treated to 4 days of non-stop action. The opening day saw Patna Pirates continue their winning streak with a narrow 35-33 win over the home team. Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal scored 11 points each, but the latter got more support for his teammates as they silenced the home crowd with 3 wins in as many matches this season.

U Mumba handed Bengal Warriors their third loss of the campaign as the latter ended on the wrong side of a 26-18 scoreline. In a match which showcased the quality of both the defences, Surjeet and Rakesh Kumar scored 4 tackle points each to help the 3-time finalists beat last season’s semi-finalists.

Day 2 of the Hyderabad leg witnessed Bengaluru Bulls beat Manjeet Chhillar’s Puneri Paltan 29-27. Season 3 MVP Rohit Kumar scored 8 points, but the match will be remembered for Mohit Chhillar’s 7 tackle points. Ravinder Pahal was at his best, but his 6 points while defending failed to prevent the then-table toppers from falling to a loss.

The second match of the day was a drubbing for the Warriors as Telugu Titans swept their opponents aside 35-18. Rahul Chaudhari’s 10-point haul was overshadowed by Sandeep Dhull’s tremendous 8 tackle points – the highest return by a defensive player this season.

In the only match on Day 3, Bengaluru Bulls continued their march up the table with a close 30-28 win over Telugu Titans. Rohit Kumar amassed 11 points to blunt out the Titans, who gave the Bulls a scare in the end, but came up short.

On the final day, Jaipur Pink Panthers were at their best as they swatted Dabang Delhi aside 51-26; the biggest margin of victory this season. Rajesh Narwal thrilled the crowd gathered at the Gachibowli with an all-round effort that saw him gather an eye-popping 16 points which included 4 tackle points. The Eagles suffered 4 all outs in the match as they succumbed to their third loss of the season while the Pink Panthers moved to the top of the table.

U Mumba had a chance to move to the top of the table in the final match of the leg, but were powerless to do so as Telugu delivered a ‘titanic’ performance. Nilesh Salunke and Rahul Chaudhari with 8 points each and 4 tackle points by Sandeep Dhull helped the Titans send the Mumbaikars crashing down. Rakesh Kumar was the lone warrior for the Season 2 winners, but his 11 points went in vain.

The tournament now moves into the fourth leg as hosts Patna Pirates aim to continue their winning run and move up from the 5th place. The other 3 teams in the top 4 - Puneri Paltan, Bengaluru Bulls, and U Mumba - will look to claim top spot from Jaipur. Last season’s semi-finalists Bengal Warriors lie at the bottom, 2 points behind 7th placed Dabang Delhi as Telugu Titans moved to 6th spot, 1 point behind Patna.