Gujarat beats UP, moves to top of the table

Gujarat is now on top of the points table with 10 points from two matches. UP is yet to get a point on the board after the same number of games. Bhainswal, who scored six tackle points, and ‘Super 10’ star Rohit Gulia led the charge for the winner. Yoddha’s defence had a night to forget as it could muster only five points.

UP has never beaten Fortunegiants in PKL history and that streak extended on Friday. Young raider Sachin Tanwar picked up a couple of raid points to give Gujarat an early two-point lead at 3-1. Yoddha clawed its way back into the contest, levelling the scores at four each. Sachin, who crossed the 300-point barrier, made another two-point raid to further Gujarat’s advantage.

Fortunegiants inflicted the first all-out of the match in the 11th minute to lead 12-5. Gujarat defence kept UP star man Monu Goyat quiet, making him stay off court for almost 13 minutes in the first period. The offensive department of UP badly missed Goyat’s presence on the mat. At half-time, Gujarat had a 19-9 cushion and was well on course for its second success.

GFG began the final half in formidable fashion, forcing the second all-out in the 24th minute to go up 24-9. Bhainswal was in superb form and put in successful tackles at will to guide Gujarat to a 31-13 lead after 30 minutes. Sonu Janglan, who came on a substitute, made a ‘Super Raid’ in the last minute to complete GFG’s dominance.

Patna Pirates posted its first triumph of Pro Kabaddi 2019 after getting the better of Telugu Titans 34-22 in Friday’s second fixture.

TT succumbed to its fourth consecutive defeat, collecting only a solitary point from its four home matches. Pardeep Narwal (7 points) and defender Jaideep (6 points) starred for the three-time title-winner.