Star Sports Pro Kabaddi: What to expect from the Patna leg
Patna will play host in the fourth and final leg of the first half of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. The Patna Pirates, who finished 3rd last season, are currently bottom of the table and the home crowd would look to propel the team higher in the table.
U Mumba currently lead the standings with 6 wins in as many matches while the defending champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers, who just ended a disappointing home leg, languish at 5th spot, having won only 1 match. The Pirates have a couple of matches in hand as they have played just 3 matches, winning 1.
The fans will assemble at the Indoor Stadium, Patliputra Sports Complex to watch their team in action for the first time this season in the opening match against Telugu Titans. It is sure to be a cracker of a match as the Titans have been in great form this season as they stand second in the standings having been defeated just once, against the indomitable U Mumba. Rakesh Kumar’s side will have to conjure up something spectacular to start their home campaign with a win as the Titans have the momentum and the confidence on their side.
The second day will witness the Titans play last season’s semi-finalists Bengaluru Bulls, which will be followed by the home team taking on Dabang Delhi. The Bulls and Dabangs will look to carry on the momentum they have built so far. Sandeep Narwal and Ravi Dalal will look back to find their form in front of the home support, as last season, they were two of the best youngsters in the League.
U Mumba seek to make it 7 in 7 against Dabang Delhi
The undefeated U Mumba take on Dabang Delhi in the first match of the third day. It will be the toughest test for the Ravinder Pahal-led Dabangs as Anup Kumar, Shabeer Bapu and Rishank Devadiga have put down the marker in the second season and will look to continue their fine form.
Puneri Paltan, who registered their maiden win on the 29th of July, will take on the home side in the second match of the day. The Paltans have been shaky in defence as they have lead at half-time in 4 of the 5 matches this season, but ended up winning just a solitary match. The crowd will be firmly behind Rakesh Kumar, who has so far flattered to deceive in the franchise-based league.
On the final day, the Paltans will face-off against Jaipur Pink Panthers, who, like their opponents, have won just a solitary match this season. The Panthers may have faced the heat at home, but the Navneet Gautam side has the pedigree to stage a strong comeback in the tournament and stake a claim for the semis.
Bengal Warriors, who have shaken off the injury concerns surrounding the team, will play the last match of the Patna leg against the home side. Captain Dinesh Kumar and star defender Nilesh Shinde featured in the match against the Paltans on 29th July after suffering injuries against the Bengaluru Bulls.
The Patna leg will give a better idea of how the league is shaping up as all the teams will have played 7 matches at the culmination of the Pirates-Warriors match. The league table shows Patna Pirates bottom of the table currently, but the Rakesh Kumar-led side have played just 3 matches so far. A fantastic atmosphere is expected to be generated by the Patna crowd, who were the talk of the town after showing vociferous support last season.