PKL 2021: Top five thrilling games from the history of the Pro Kabaddi League – The Pro Kabaddi League is all set to make a return after a two years gap due to Covid-19. PKL 2021 auction took place in the month of August and the season is likely to kick start in November – December. The organisers have shortlisted Bangalore and Ahembadad as the two venues for the season. However, they are yet to take the final call. As we wait eagerly for Kabaddi’s return, let’s have a look at some of the most thrilling encounters in the history of PKL.
Season 7 – Eliminator 1 – Bengaluru Bulls 48-45 UP Yoddha
U.P. Yoddha had a comfortable 11-point lead in the first half as they looked in total control. Pawan Sehrawat, however, had other plans scoring 20 points in that crucial match. His two super raids in the first half cut down the deficit by 4 points. Another twist in the tale came during the buzzer raid when Surender Gill scored a vital point for the Yoddhas and took the game to extra time. It was a Pawan Sehrawat show at the extra time as the Hi-Flyer guided them to their successive semi-final.
Season 6 – Match 9 – Patna Pirates 43:41 U.P. Yoddha
Pro Kabaddi’s two most prolific raiders, Rishank Devadiga and Pardeep Narwal went head-to-head in this encounter. Both the sides inflicted an all-out each in the first half, but it was U.P. Yoddha who had a 20-15 lead. In a spirited comeback, Patna Pirates bounced back as Pardeep Narwal amassed 16 raid points. Having pulled off a sensational 2-point raid to take the difference down to one point, Shrikant Jadhav failed in his final attempt, and Patna Pirates won this thrilling contest 43-41.
Season 5 – Match 5 – U Mumba 29-28 Haryana Steelers
Rookie Vikash Kandola and an experienced Wazir Singh took apart a U Mumba defence that looked rusty in the first half of Match 5. But a different tale emerged in the latter half. Haryana Steelers were in the driving seat with the lead of 12-19 early in the second half before Kashiling Adake’s brilliant 3-point super raid turned the tide. Kashiling and Anup Kumar amassed 13 points between themselves to lead U Mumba to a thrilling single-point win.
Season 4 – Match 52 – Dabang Delhi 31-32 Patna Pirates
It was another Pardeep Narwal show at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in Delhi as Patna Pirates edged past Dabang Delhi K.C. in a breathtaking encounter. With both the teams tussling it out in full flow, the scores were level at 31-31 before the buzzer raid. Kashiling Adake, who led the hosts’ fight with his spectacular Super 10 failed to deliver in the final raid and it cost them the match.
Season 2 – Semi-Final 1 – Telugu Titans 38-39 Bengaluru Bulls
The first semi-final of PKL season 2 starred the ‘Showman’ Rahul Chaudhari and the ‘Iceman’ Ajay Thakur. Both the teams got off to a sublime start, but it was the Bengaluru Bulls who took a healthy lead in the second half. Telugu Titans found themselves trailing 25-37 with only three minutes left on the clock. Rahul Chaudhari then scored six points in five raids to make things tricky for the Bulls. Only a single point separated both the sides in the last minute when mighty all-rounder Manjeet Chhillar scored a vital raid point to steer Bengaluru Bulls to the finals.
Editors pick
