Puneri Paltan Defeat U Mumba 35-28 in the 'Maha Maharashtra Derby'
Puneri Paltan maintained their strong position at the top of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 with a 35-28 victory over U Mumba in a thrilling 'Maha Maharashtra Derby' at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad, on Sunday.
Match Overview:
Puneri Paltan, led by captain Aslam Inamdar, dominated the match thanks to a well-rounded team effort. Inamdar was once again the standout performer, scoring 10 points, including 9 raid points. He was ably supported by Gaurav Khatri, who contributed 7 tackle points, and Mohit Goyat, who added 9 raid points. The team's collective effort was too much for U Mumba to handle.
U Mumba, on the other hand, fought valiantly, with Ajit Chavan leading their raiding department with 9 raid points. However, despite their best efforts, they were unable to match the firepower of Puneri Paltan.
Match Highlights:
The match started evenly, with both sides trading points early on. Aslam Inamdar's raiding skills were on full display, regularly getting U Mumba players off the mat. U Mumba's Sunil Kumar, a key defender, also showcased his defensive skills, including a crucial Super Tackle to keep the game close.
Puneri Paltan's breakthrough came as Mohit Goyat joined Inamdar in the raiding department. Together, they orchestrated the first All-Out of the match, which gave Puneri Paltan a solid lead. At halftime, they were up 22-16.
The second half saw Gaurav Khatri completing his High 5, further extending the lead for Puneri Paltan. Despite some key raids from U Mumba’s Ajit Chavan and a Do-Or-Die raid from Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, Puneri Paltan remained in control. Mohit Goyat's Super Raid, where he took out Rinku, Sombir, and Ajit Chavan in a single raid, was the final blow, sealing the victory for Puneri Paltan.
Top Performers:
- Puneri Paltan:
- Best Raider: Aslam Inamdar (9 raid points)
- Best Defender: Gaurav Khatri (7 tackle points)
- U Mumba:
- Best Raider: Ajit Chavan (9 raid points)
- Best Defender: Sunil Kumar (2 tackle points)
With this win, Puneri Paltan earned their fourth victory of the season and continued their strong start in PKL Season 11, while U Mumba will be looking to regroup after a tough loss.