In the Gujarat Giants’ Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) match on Tuesday at the EKA Arena, Sonu Jaglan was the team’s hero once more, leading the Giants to an amazing 39-37 victory over U Mumba. The Giants’ victory was made even more memorable by the fact that it was Fazel Atrachali’s 100th game as captain.
In the first few minutes, the teams switched the lead, and in the fifth, U Mumba took a 7-5 lead thanks to a two-point raid by Guman Singh. In the seventh minute, the Giants introduced Sonu Jaglan, their ultimate player, but he struggled to get going at first.
According to a PKL press release, Rakesh HS saved the Giants by scoring a bonus point and a running hand touch on Rinku Singh to give his team a slim lead at 10-9.
But in the eleventh minute, Mahender Singh’s incredible “Super Tackle” gave U Mumba a 12-10 lead. Soon after, they had a six-point lead after Guman managed to escape with another raid point and Sonu was tackled in a crucial raid.
It seemed as though U Mumba would coast into the second half, but Fazel pulled off two magical moments with five minutes remaining.
He first executed a raid to defeat the captain of his opponent, Surinder Singh, and then he executed a “Super Tackle” to tie the score at 16–18.
The Giants drew even following Sonu’s first raid point early in the second half. After that, Sonu won two decisive points via Rinku Singh and Mahender, leaving U Mumba with just one man remaining on the mat. After that, there was no stopping him. Inevitably, the Giants led 23–19 after U Mumba was the target of a ‘All Out’ during the very next raid. With a strong defence and some outstanding raiding from Sonu, the Giants jumped out to a 30–22 lead at the half.
U Mumba was within striking distance at 30-34 after Guman successfully completed three consecutive attempts and a few blazing-fast raids from Iranian all-rounders Amirmohammad Zafardanesh and Pranay Rane. With under two minutes remaining, Zafardanesh pulled off the unthinkable by getting past Manuj and Fazel to force a ‘All Out’ and level the score for his team.
However, Sonu emerged victorious, having executed an incredible three-point ‘Super Raid’ in the last minute of play to lead the Giants to their third straight victory and record their third straight ‘Super 10’.
Wednesday’s games:
Game 1: Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates – 8 pm
Game 2: U.P. Yoddhas vs Haryana Steelers – 9 pm.
