PKL5 Match 4 report: Telugu Titans 29-35 Patna Pirates

Date: 29th July
Time: 9PM IST (4:30PM BST)
Venue: Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad

Line-ups

Telugu Titans: Vishal Bhardwaj, Rahul Chaudhari (C), Vinod Kumar, Nilesh Salunke, Farhad Milaghardan (✈️), Vikas, Rakesh Kumar.
Subs used: Rohit Rana.

Patna Pirates: Vishal Mane, Pardeep Narwal (C), Monu Goyat, Sachin Shingade, Satish, Jaideep, Vishnu Uthaman.
Subs used: Jawahar Dagar, Manish.

Match Report

This match was built as a head to head between raiders Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal of Telugu Titans and Patna Pirates respectively, and boy did it not disappoint! The match went to and fro and only late in the second half did Patna Pirates take a commanding lead to win the match.

Rahul Chaudhari started the match well and quickly picked up 6 points in the first 15 mins of the match, whereas Pardeep Narwal only picked up a couple. Both teams were scoring points quickly in a fast paced game, but then with Telugu ahead by 2 points, 12-10, Rahul was tackled not once but twice and both were super tackles! (2 points are awarded for a super tackle). That brought the half time score 14-15 in favour of the Patna Pirates.

In the second half Patna were reduced to just two players when it appeared they successfully tackle Rahul again, but this time Vishal Mane was given a yellow card for shirt pulling and had to sit out for two mins. Telugu picked up an all out to move ahead 19-16. Points were shared for the next few mins and brought the scores to 25-22 to Telugu Titans, after another failed raid by Rahul, Pardeep Narwal then came to the party first with a super raid (3 point raid) and then with another two point raid and knocked out Telugu Titans with only 4 mins left to go.

The scores were now in favour of Patna Pirates, 26-31, and with just a few minutes left to go, the Pirates could see out the game and in the end won by 29-35.

Star Players

• No doubt the best raider was Pardeep Narwal for Patna who picked up a colossal 15 points, he was impressive throughout and picked up points when it mattered! He was backed up nicely by Monu Goyat who picked up 8 points himself.
• Although Rahul had a mixed game he still managed to pick up 7 raid points, with his raiding partner Nilesh picking up 6 raid points, both for Telugu.
• In defence Vishal Bhardwaj again impressed and picked up 5 tackle points for Telugu Titans, with Vishal Mane picking up 3 tackle points for Patna Pirates.

Match Prediction

Prediction: Telugu Titans 35-32 Patna Pirates
Actual result: Telugu Titans 29-35 Patna Pirates

I got this one wrong too! Although it was pretty tight it was actually Patna that won with 35 points and not Telugu.

In the future…

Pardeep Narwal was really impressive and Patna Pirates will hope he continues his fine form all the way to the play offs because they will surely make the top 3. Monu Goyat was also impressive for the Pirates and they will need his skills when Pardeep is not on court. Patna’s defence wasn’t tested to the maximum so we’ll wait to judge the defence.

For Telugu Titans, Vishal Bhardwaj was impressive in defence again, and although he had a bad day, Rahul Chaudhari still picked up 7 raid points and Nilesh 6 raid points, so I don’t think Telugu will need to worry too much. Although someone will need to have a quiet word with Rahul to ensure he puts the team first and not himself as he let the team down at crucial stages of the match.

No doubt both of these teams will be challenging to top 3 places in their zone in order to make the play offs.