Puneri Paltan Vs U.p. Yoddhas 19 November 2024

Full-Time
Puneri Paltan 29 - 29 UP Yoddhas

Well, the Puneri Paltan's winless run continues as they were held to a tie by the Yoddhas in an absolute roller-coaster ride of a game! The Paltan had the early momentum, but the Yoddhas hit back strongly, claiming an all-out towards the latter part of the first half, with their cover defenders putting in a solid shift.

However, an inspired Pankaj Mohite, Ajith Kumar, and handy contributions from their defense helped them register a comeback of their own. They held a three-point lead with very little time left in the game, but Bhavani Rajput came in clutch for the Yoddhas, getting to his Super 10 in style in the final 90 seconds of the match, also tying the game in the process.

Both teams have points to ponder over and some positive signs as well to take away from this match, but at its core, we were treated to some really entertaining kabaddi. That's set to continue in the second match of the night as the Bengaluru Bulls take on the Patna Pirates.

Click here to catch the live action from that match where the Record-Breaker Pardeep Narwal faces off with his former side. That's it from the coverage of the match between the Paltan and the Yoddhas, as I, Shreyas, bid you adieu.

2nd Half, 40'
Puneri Paltan 29 - 29 UP Yoddhas

Well, with the scores level, Pankaj is content to put in an empty raid and Bhavani Rajput returns the favor as both teams choose not to risk it and go for a tie!

What a breakneck finish we've had, and you have to say, neither team deserved to lose. The fans at Noida have been treated to a phenomenal display of kabaddi, and after 40 minutes of action, there's nothing to separate the two teams.

2nd Half, 39:08'
Puneri Paltan 29 - 29 UP Yoddhas

Ajith Kumar is content to put in an empty raid, but with only 4 on the mat, the substitute Mohd Amaan makes an unnecessary challenge on Bhavani Rajput, with the in-form raider riding it with ease into the mid-line.

It's a Super 10 for Bhavani Rajput in one of the toughest games he'll ever take part in. 

Stunning work from the raider, and the Paltan are down to three!

A little over 90 seconds to play, who can hold their nerve? A timeout is called and both teams discuss their strategies for these final seconds!

All three results still possible here.

2nd Half, 39'
Puneri Paltan 29 - 28 UP Yoddhas

A brilliant sliding toe touch from Pankaj Mohite on the left-in Bharat in a do-or-die raid, and that could be the game-defining moment for the Paltan.

What a dash that is from Abinesh Nadarajan! He reads the situation really well and times his run to perfection to usher Bhavani Rajput off the mat.

Ohh wait! The points are awarded to the Yoddhas instead!

The Paltan review the decision, and this is a huge decision for the TV umpire to make.

Bhavani Rajput escapes from Mohit's weak ankle hold attempt before Abinesh Nadarajan goes in with the dash, but Bhavani Rajput just about manages to get his hand past the mid-line, and while there is some debate about whether he does so from outside the mat, there isn't enough evidence to overturn the decision.

Huge moment that and an outstanding raid from Bhavani Rajput in the context of this match!

2nd Half, 38'
Puneri Paltan 28 - 26 UP Yoddhas

Keshav Kumar twists and turns and tries to force error with his speed, but the Pune defense remains unfazed, with Mohit timing his ankle hold really well, and there's nothing the Yoddhas' raider can do to escape from that.

The Pune defense do really well in Bhavani Rajput's next raid, resisting his attempts to tempt them into a tackle really well.

2nd Half, 36'
Puneri Paltan 27 - 26 UP Yoddhas

Bhavani Rajput is pretty much putting on a solo act here, and he carries on with that, getting the running hand touch on the right-in Pankaj Mohite.

Finally, the defense delivers for the Yoddhas in this 2nd half, and it's the right corner Hitesh who does enough to bring down a leaping Aryavardhan.

2nd Half, 34'
Puneri Paltan 27 - 23 UP Yoddhas

Two tackle points for Gaurav Khatri in the space of a minute as the right chain do really well to block Bhavani Rajput.

Ohh wait, he gets lucky does Bhavani Rajput as Mohit steps into the lobby before the tackle was initiated, also participating in the struggle, and as a result, the point is awarded to the Yoddhas.

But he's revived immediately by an aesthetically pleasing dubki executed to perfection by an electric Ajith Kumar. That was so good to watch! 

He immediately follows it up with a swift toe touch on Bharat Hooda.

2nd Half, 32'
Puneri Paltan 25 - 21 UP Yoddhas

Terrific back hold from Mohit Khaler gives the Paltan the lead again! It's a do-or-die raid immediately after the break for Bhavani Rajput, but this time around, the Paltan defense is onto him with a flash, and it's the left corner who strikes with a strong back hold.

Pankaj Mohite easily circumvents the two-man defense, escaping from a tentative challenge from Hitesh, reducing them to one.

And Keshav Kumar, the last man standing can't do much when the towering figure of Gaurav Khatri puts in a mighty block as the Paltan get their first all-out of the match, also taking a 4-point lead in the process.

2nd Half, 30'
Puneri Paltan 20 - 20 UP Yoddhas

A couple of empty raids follow before the whistle blows for the second timeout.

The Paltan have come back really well, with Pankaj Mohite leading the way, despite some amateur defensive errors hindering their momentum. With ten minutes on the clock, this could go either way.

We have a real thriller on our hands here!

2nd Half, 29'
Puneri Paltan 20 - 20 UP Yoddhas

The do-or-die raid strategy continues from both teams as they have five men on the mat each. It's the Yoddhas' turn first, and an indecisive Abinesh gifts a point away to Bhavani Rajput, who has been terrific in those situations tonight!

But ohh, that's brilliant from Pankaj Mohite! It's a multi-point raid for the Paltan captain who gets away really well from a really advanced tackle from the two cover defenders in a do-or-die raid.

Aryavardhan Navale uses his pace to great effect, using a short burst of acceleration to surprise Sumit with a quick touch.

And with that, the Paltan are level!

2nd Half, 26'
Puneri Paltan 17 - 19 UP Yoddhas

Mohit has to show much better game awareness there. It's another do-or-die raid for the Yoddhas, and with no pressure on him to make the tackle, he tries to blindside Bhavani Rajput with a dash, but the raider anticipates it and simply brushes him away.

However, Pankaj looks to have gotten a bonus+point in a do-or-die raid, but the Yoddhas review, contending that there was no bonus.

But that looks rather clearcut, review unsuccessful for them.

2nd Half, 24'
Puneri Paltan 15 - 18 UP Yoddhas

Ohh, Bhavani Rajput made that look really easy. It's a do-or-die raid for the tall raider and he goes in, uses his reach to great effect on the left-in, and walks back all within five seconds.

The Yoddhas extend their lead as Sumit, with the help of the left chain, completes the tackle on Ajith Kumar in a do-or-die raid for the Paltan.

2nd Half, 22'
Puneri Paltan 15 - 16 UP Yoddhas

Ohh, against the run of play, the substitute Aryavardhan's pace causes Ashu to lose focus for just a fleeting moment, where he steps into the lobby, conceding a cheap point.

With the Yoddhas down to three, the Paltan will eye another all-out here without conceding another Super Tackle.

Half-Time
Puneri Paltan 14 - 16 UP Yoddhas

The Paltan end the half on a high, with Abinesh Nadarajan putting in a well-timed knee hold on Bharat immediately after the all-out.

Ajith Kumar follows it up with a much-needed two-point raid, escaping from the clutches of Hitesh's challenge, also getting a touch on Gangaram who came to offer support.

The whistle blows for half-time after a couple of empty raids, and it's the Yoddhas who head into the break with a 2-point lead.

The Paltan dominated the first few minutes, but the Yoddhas' prowess in Super Tackle situations, and a general inconsistency that you don't normally associate with the defending champions meant that they couldn't hold onto their lead. The Yoddhas became gradually clinical in defense as the half progressed and it eventually culminated in a much-deserved all-out for them.

Nevertheless, this is still a 2-point game and could go either way in what should be a stellar 2nd half!

1st Half, 18'
Puneri Paltan 11 - 16 UP Yoddhas

The Yoddhas claim the first all-out of the match after a stellar passage of play. Down to three, the Paltan are reduced to two after the substitute raider falls to Bharat's well-timed ankle hold from the left-in position.

Bharat goes in and evades the challenge from Gaurav Khatri to bring them down to one, and that never was any doubt that they'd complete the all-out, Sumit completing the formalities with a well-timed back hold.

1st Half, 16'
Puneri Paltan 9 - 11 UP Yoddhas

The momentum is shifting the way of the Yoddhas here, and they've got their defense to thank. Akash Shinde foes in for a do-or-die raid against a 5-man defense, and the Yoddhas wait him out before Gangaram initiates another solid block to send him to the bench.

Keshav Kumar has the Paltan defense on the backfoot, using a moment of uncertainty to his advantage to get the running hand touch on Abinesh Nadarajan.

1st Half, 14'
Puneri Paltan 9 - 9 UP Yoddhas

Ajith Kumar disappointed in himself after conceding a cheap point to the quick-footed Keshav Kumar who's very different in profile to the other Yoddhas' raiders who're very tall but slower across the court.

1st Half, 12'
Puneri Paltan 9 - 8 UP Yoddhas

After a couple of empty raids, it's the Paltan defense that pounces once again, with a pitch-perfect diving ankle hold on Bharat initiated by the left corner, with the support arriving immediately.

Down to three once again, the Yoddhas' defense refuse to give up and execute another Super Tackle, with Gangaram the key once again, ramming into Pankaj Mohite, with the raider having little chance of escape.

1st Half, 10'
Puneri Paltan 8 - 6 UP Yoddhas

It came about rather scrappy, but Mohit Khaler in the Paltan left corner won't mind getting his first tackle point of the night as he makes his first start of the season.

A flying Ajith Kumar gets a crucial point in a do-or-die raid, executing the leap brilliantly, anticipating the challenge from Ashu Singh. Bharat strikes back immediately though, using his long levers to get the hand touch with ease on Akash Shinde.

In the final raid before the timeout, Pankaj Mohite gets his 2nd raid point of the night, escaping well from an attempted challenge from Hitesh on the Yoddhas' right corner.

This game is moving really quickly here with plenty of momentum for both teams. The next ten minutes will be pivotal in determining which way this one goes.

1st Half, 7'
Puneri Paltan 5 - 5 UP Yoddhas

Ohh, what was that from Gaurav Khatri? Instant regret from the right corner who goes in for an unnecessary advance tackle on Bharat in a do-or-die raid, giving away a cheap point.

Another do-or-die raid follows, this time for the Paltan, and the Yoddhas draw level rather brilliantly, Gangaram making no mistake with his double thigh hold to stop Akash Shinde.

Bhavani Rajput and Abinesh Nadarajan both make their way to the bench as a point each is awarded.

1st Half, 5'
Puneri Paltan 4 - 2 UP Yoddhas

The Yoddhas open their account with a Super Tackle initiated by Ashu Singh. Pankaj Mohite was the raider in question who lost his footing deep in the Yoddhas' half, and they weren't going to miss out on a free two points there.

1st Half, 3'
Puneri Paltan 4 - 0 UP Yoddhas

An empty raid to start with for the left raider, but it's all action at the other end as the Pune captain Pankaj Mohite steps up with a well-timed ankle hold from the right-in position on Bharat Hooda to open the Paltan's account.

This Pune defense is up and running early! Gaurav Khatri pounces in the very next raid, pouncing with a well-timed knee hold on Bhavani Rajput.

A do-or-die raid comes about for the Paltan and once again, it's Pankaj who puts his hand up and delivers, getting the running hand touch on the right corner. 

Ohh, absolute carnage this from the Paltan who take a 4-0 lead very early! Gaurav Khatri comes around with a block as the entire defense close in on an unsuspecting Keshav Kumar.

Toss Update: The UP Yoddhas win the toss and choose court. The Paltan will raid first.

Akash Shinde will put in the first raid.

Both teams make their way out onto the mat, and it's the Yoddhas who enter first, followed by the Paltan.

Steal a march over your Dream11 rivals with the help of our low-owned differential picks who could make the difference for your teams:

Confused over who to hand your captain's armband to? Worry not, as we have you covered with our expert suggestions:

Both teams have some really big names who'll take the mat tonight. While kabaddi is a team game, some individual battles have the power to heavily influence which way a tie goes, and here are three such player battles for you to keep an eye on:

It's time for you to set your Dream11 teams for this fixture with the help of Sportskeeda's Dream11 prediction for the same:

Team News

Here's how the two teams line up ahead of this crunch game:

Puneri Paltan: Pankaj Mohite (C), Akash Shinde, Gaurav Khatri, Mohit Khaler, Vaibhav Kamble, Abinesh Nadarajan, and V Ajith Kumar.

UP Yoddhas: Sumit (C), Hitesh, Bharat Hooda, Bhavani Rajput, Ashu Singh, Keshav Kumar, and Gangaram.

Well, the Paltan ring in the changes, making three tweaks to the team that started against Jaipur. Mohit Khaler, Vaibhav Kamble, and Ajith Kumar replace Aman (left corner), Sanket Sawant (left cover), and Mohit Goyat (raider) respectively, with Aman not even finding a place on the bench.

Hello, good evening, and welcome to Sportskeeda's coverage of the 11th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. We have for you a stellar set of games lined up on this terrific Tuesday at the Noida Indoor Stadium. First up, it's the defending champions Puneri Paltan who take to the mat against the home team UP Yoddhas, who'll look to leverage the boisterous crowd support to good effect.

The Paltan have struggled in their last few outings and are winless in three matches. They lost their previous fixture against Jaipur Pink Panthers by 28-30. Losing captain Aslam Inamdar has hurt the team a bit, but they have more than enough depth in their bench to keep winning and mount their title defense, and they'll look to show that against the Yoddhas tonight.

Meanwhile, the Yoddhas come into this match after a five-day break, during which they beat the Telugu Titans 40-34, ending their own poor run of form. They'll look to ride on the momentum from that game and register back-to-back wins, with a win against the Paltan potentially doing wonders for their confidence.

With plenty of big stars in action, this should be a cracking encounter. So sit back and relax as we take you through all the action as it unfolds in Noida.