New Delhi: Jaipur Pink Panthers put up an impressive performance to outclass UP Yoddhas in their PKL 12 match and won comfortably in the final match at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Friday. From the opening minutes to the final whistle, the two-time champions were in complete control as Nitin Kumar and Ali Samadi both scored Super 10 points en route to victory.
The Pink Panthers saw their Raiders Nitin Kumar and Ali Samadi relentless in the attack and repeatedly found gaps in the Yoddhas’ defense. The Panthers’ defensive unit, led by Reza Mirbagheri and Aryan Kumar, maintained composure and discipline and ensured that UP’s key attackers – including Guman Singh and Surender Gill – had little space to maneuver.
The breakthrough came when Ali Samadi launched a successful attack that gave the Yoddhas their first ALL OUT, increasing the lead and clearly pushing the opponent into the background. Even as the Yoddhas attempted to regroup, the Panthers continued to mount effective attacks and extend their lead. At the end of the first 10 minutes, the Pink Panthers were clearly ahead and led 16:7.
The two-time champions continued to dominate the rest of the first half. Even when Surender Gill of the Yoddhas tried to trigger a retaliation with successful raids, the Pink Panthers attackers responded immediately and ensured that the momentum remained firmly in their favour.
Every time UP Yoddhas tried to find an opportunity, Jaipur responded with aplomb – either through a timely tackle or a successful raid from their leading duo. As the half came to an end, the Pink Panthers not only had the game under control, but also extended their lead and went into the break with a comfortable lead of 24-14.
The Pink Panthers continued their confident performance in the second half and showed no signs of slowing down. The balance between attack and defense was impressive and Jaipur executed their plans efficiently on both ends of the mat.
The defining moment of this phase came when Parvinder led a spirited tackle to give the Yoddhas another ALL OUT, effectively sealing the Pink Panthers’ control of the contest. From that point on, the Pink Panthers dictated the tempo, mixing empty attacks with sharp strikes to maintain their cushion.
The Yoddhas struggled to find consistency despite substitutions and their defense continued to crumble under the pressure. As the clock ticked down, the Pink Panthers held the lead by a commanding 34-21.
The game ended with the same authority that had defined their performance all evening. Ali Samadi and Nitin Kumar continued to score points and showed sharp alertness and composure in the final minutes.
The defense led by Reza Mirbagheri withstood the pressure and ensured UP Yoddhas’ attempts at a late comeback were quickly dashed. When the final whistle blew, Jaipur Pink Panthers had secured a comprehensive victory, defeating UP Yoddhas by 13 points.
