Puneri Paltan has officially secured their place in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 12 playoffs, becoming the second team to achieve this milestone. They confirmed their top-eight status with an emphatic 36-23 victory over the Tamil Thalaivas at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi.
The Paltan’s offense was spearheaded by stellar performances from raiders Pankaj Mohite, who bagged nine points, and Aslam Inamdar, contributing seven points. The match, despite a valiant effort from the Thalaivas, largely remained one-sided. Adding to the Paltan’s strength, defender Gurdeep achieved a High Five, bolstering their defensive efforts.
From the outset, Puneri Paltan established control, led by captain Aslam Inamdar. The early minutes saw raiders dominate, with the first tackle of the game leading to an All Out against the Tamil Thalaivas. This early setback put the Thalaivas on the defensive, and they struggled to recover their momentum.
Pankaj Mohite’s agility and Aslam Inamdar’s all-round contribution proved crucial in Puneri Paltan building a significant lead. While Arjun Deshwal put up a consistent fight for the Thalaivas, their defense began to buckle under the relentless pressure from the Paltan. A key turning point was Mohite’s two-point raid, which severely impacted the Thalaivas’ confidence. Despite some strong defensive plays from the Thalaivas, Puneri Paltan maintained their advantage, heading into halftime with a comfortable nine-point lead at 20-11.
The second half saw the Thalaivas show flashes of brilliance, with Nitesh Kumar and Ronak making crucial tackles. However, Puneri Paltan’s balanced attack and solid defense, particularly from Vishal Bhardwaj and Gurdeep, ensured they never relinquished control. The final All Out, inflicted by Aslam Inamdar on key Thalaivas defenders, sealed the dominant victory for Puneri Paltan, confirming their playoff berth.