Defenders shine as Patna Pirates decimate Tamil Thalaivas in PKL

Patna Pirates rode on an impressive performance from their defenders to thrash Tamil Thalaivas 52-24 in a Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 match here on Saturday.

It was a complete team performance from the Pirates with all three raiders contributing.

The 28-point margin in the victory will also help them consolidate their position in the race for play-off spots.

Three Patna defenders -- Mohammadreza Shadloui (6 tackle points), Neeraj Kumar (6 tackle points) and Sunil (5 tackle points) -- picked up High 5s in a superlative show from the men in green.

Coach Ram Mehar Singh's men had 21 tackle points on the night -- Patna's best in PKL history -- as they gave Tamil Thalaivas no chance to stage a fightback.

The early minutes were a closely contested affair with both defences looking strong. Patna, on the mat after a nine-day break, looked fresh with raider Monu Goyat and right corner Sunil back in action.

Goyat impressed with his raids, switching sides effortlessly, and troubling the cover defenders. He orchestrated the first ALL OUT of the match in the 13th minute.

Thalaivas' defence didn't look their usual best as Patna captain Prashanth Rai picked up raid points. Tamil raiders Ajinkya Pawar and Manjeet tried their best to close the gap, but the first half ended 21-12 with Patna looking in complete control.

Patna sustained the pressure with their left corner defender Mohammadreza Shadloui also getting on the act. He combined well with cover defenders Sajin C and Neeraj Kumar to help Patna clinch another ALL OUT four minutes after the interval.

Thalaivas had no answers to Patna's team game.

Patna inflicted another ALL OUT with eight minutes left on the clock as Mohammadreza Shadloui completed his High 5. It was total domination by the three-time champions who raced to a 24-point lead with five minutes remaining.

Neeraj Kumar and Sunil secured their High 5s in the dying minutes as Patna clinched the win that helped them move to second spot on the points table.