PKL: Belligerent Yoddhas pip Thalaivas in thriller

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Oct 8 (ANI): Ajay Thakur-led Tamil Thalaivas went down in a fighting cause against the UP Yoddhas by 32-37 in group B clash of the Pro Kabaddi League played at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Monday. Despite a late surge by Tamil Thalaivas, UP Yoddhas laid their hands on the first win of the season. The promotion of Rishank Devadiga to the captaincy position of UP added responsibility on Prashant Kumar Rai and Shrikant Jadhav in shouldering the raiding attack.
Trailing by a massive 14-point margin in the first half, Tamil Thalaivas skipper led a late attack on the opposition but failed due to paucity of time. Though, the Chennai side won the second half by 28-19 but could not close in on the victory.
Ajay Thakur did not give the team the required start and could not cease any points at the start. The UP Yoddhas did well restricting hosts, taking a five point advantage at the start of the match. The Yoddhas gaining some confidence, were decimating Chennai in their own city taking ten-point lead while the Thalaivas had not scored even a solitary point. Local favourite, Athul, who had been at the top of his form, wrestled and took two men out to provide his team with crucial raid points.
In the second half as well, Thalaivas got off to a nightmare start. The point gap widened after the team was all out again. UP had gained a 21-point lead with the scorecard reading 26-5. The game was supposed to be as good as over. But, gradually ticking the scorecard, Thalaivas took out the UP team in a comeback bid. But, all efforts of Chennai team went in vain as UP emerged victorious.
In the end, it was the experienced Jeeva Kumar, who perfectly handled the responsibility of maneuvering young defense, especially the corners - Nitesh Kumar and Sachin Kumar into effective tackling formations. (ANI)