Patna Pirates vs Dabang Delhi KC: In what may be the most exciting comeback of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 to date, the Patna Pirates executed a stunning turnaround to shock Dabang Delhi K C and end their unbeaten string of six matches.
With a final score of 33-30, at the SMS Indoor Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, September 27. The contest featured a fourth-quarter comeback led by sub-raider Ankit Rana, who had an incredible game-changing performance.
Ankit Rana’s Heroics Steal the Spotlight in Patna Pirates vs Dabang Delhi KC
Off the bench, Ankit Rana picked up a match-winning 12 raid points, turning the equation in the three-time PKL champions’ favour. His powerful raids broke a rigid Delhi defence and proved to be the game-changers in a game that appeared beyond Patna’s reach for all but a brief period.
“Ankit Rana totally turned the tables for us,” opined head coach Anup Kumar. “He had put in a lot of hard work during pre-season camp, and tonight he showed us exactly why we had believed in him.”
Coach Anup Kumar: “This Win Is Special”
For a team that had been searching for form, the victory was a huge relief. Head coach Anup Kumar, a PKL legend himself, called the outcome “special,” particularly given Dabang Delhi K.C.’s unbeaten streak.
He also spoke to a moment of apparent frustration on the sidelines over a call to make a substitution, saying:
“Sometimes emotions get the better of you. My reaction was purely in the heat of the moment.”
Ayan Lohchab Exhibits Improvement In The Face Of Pressure
Another plus for Patna was the better performance by young raider Ayan Lohchab, who has come under fire for recent outings.
“Ayan possesses the skill set. Our responsibility is to keep him mentally tough and continue to work on him,” Anup added.
New Format Assists Patna In Sealing The Match
Captain Ankit Jaglan appreciated the team’s comeback and credited the new PKL format for being able to win without going into a tie-breaker.
“Those last raids were critical. The new format allows us to finish strongly and guarantees a result. It keeps the supporters interested and rewards teams that can digest pressure,” Jaglan added.
While praising the collective effort, the skipper credited Ankit Rana’s brilliance as the turning point of the match.
“Every player performed their role, but Ankit was just exceptional. His 12 points were the momentum change that we were looking for.”
PKL 12 Saturday, September 27 Match Previews
Patna Pirates vs Bengal Warriorz – War of Offence
Having defeated top rivals such as Dabang Delhi K.C. already, the Patna Pirates will seek to establish consistency. Nevertheless, their porous defense continues to be a cause for concern.
Their next fixture is against Bengal Warriorz, captained by the prolific Dhaakad Devank Dalal, who has provided seven successive Super 10s and also has the league’s highest raid average. Anticipate a high-scoring, raid-heavy battle, with the bench raiders having to support their franchise players in order to ensure victory.
Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Tamil Thalaivas – A Grudge Match Awaits
The Jaipur Pink Panthers are on a roll, with Nitin Kumar leading a strong raiding lineup. The Tamil Thalaivas, on the other hand, are too dependent on Arjun Deshwal, whose greatness is too often unsupported by an inconsistent support group and vulnerable defense.
With Deshwal set to face his former team, emotions are expected to run high. However, home advantage and team rhythm could tip the scale in Jaipur’s favour unless Arjun delivers a match-winning masterclass.
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