The 11th season of the Pro Kabaddi League continues to deliver thrilling matches, but the Telugu Titans have had a rough start. Playing at home at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium, the Titans suffered their second consecutive defeat, this time against the reigning champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers, who won by an astounding 30-point margin. The final score read 52-22 in favor of Jaipur, a result that left the local fans disappointed.
Arjun Deswal’s Captaincy Leads to Victory
Jaipur’s captain, Arjun Deswal, stole the show with a spectacular performance, scoring 19 points, the highest in the match. His leadership on the mat ensured that the Pink Panthers outclassed the Titans in both offense and defense. Alongside him, Abhijeet Malik added 8 points, playing a crucial role in Jaipur’s triumph. The match saw an all-round team effort from Jaipur, whose defense was as solid as their raiding unit.
In contrast, the Telugu Titans seemed out of sync. Despite valiant efforts from captain Pawan Sehrawat (7 points), Vijay Malik (5), and Ashish Narwal (5), the home team couldn’t match Jaipur’s intensity. The Titans’ defense faltered repeatedly, leading to four all-outs during the game, a crucial factor in their defeat.
A Competitive Start but a Dominant Finish
The game began on an exciting note, with both teams trading points in the first ten minutes. Telugu Titans initially impressed with strong raids from Pawan Sehrawat, who opened their account with a touch point in his first raid. However, Jaipur quickly responded with Arjun Deswal scoring their first point, keeping the scores close.
At one stage, the Titans even took a 9-6 lead, with Pawan earning several raid points. However, the momentum shifted when Jaipur leveled the score at 9-9, followed by a game-changing super raid from Abhijeet Malik in the 18th minute. Abhijeet’s bonus point raid, where he dismissed three Titans defenders in one go, pushed Jaipur ahead. The Pink Panthers ended the first half with a 5-point lead, 18-13.
Jaipur’s Domination in the Second Half
The second half saw Jaipur Pink Panthers take complete control of the game. Arjun Deswal and Vijay Malik continued to rack up points, widening the gap as the Titans struggled to stay in the contest. Arjun completed his Super Ten early in the half, while Jaipur’s defense, led by Ankush, successfully tackled the Titans’ raiders.
With the Telugu Titans’ defense failing to stop Jaipur’s raids, the visitors extended their lead to 31-17, leaving the Titans visibly frustrated. Jaipur Pink Panthers’ tactical precision, combined with Arjun Deswal’s brilliance, secured their dominance over the Titans.
In the final ten minutes, the Telugu Titans fell apart, both offensively and defensively. Pawan Sehrawat and his fellow raiders were repeatedly caught by Jaipur’s defense, while the Titans’ defenders had no answer to Jaipur’s relentless attacks. The match ended with Jaipur inflicting further all-outs on the Titans, sealing a convincing 52-22 victory.
What Lies Ahead?
This crushing defeat marks the second consecutive loss for the Telugu Titans, raising concerns about their form early in the season. Meanwhile, Jaipur Pink Panthers look set to continue their winning streak, buoyed by the remarkable form of Arjun Deswal and the team’s well-coordinated efforts. The Titans will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks as the league progresses.
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