Gujarat Giants Bounce Back in Style
The Gujarat Giants returned to winning ways in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, grinding out a 33-27 victory against UP Yoddhas in the opening clash of the Chennai leg on Monday. It was a much-needed result for the Giants, who had endured narrow defeats earlier in the campaign.
Shadloui Leads From the Front
Iranian star Mohammadreza Shadloui once again proved why he is considered one of the league’s top performers. He finished with eight points on the night — splitting them evenly between raids and tackles. After the match, Shadloui credited a tactical shift for the win.
“We adjusted our strategy tonight. Rakesh took charge of the raids while I focused on strengthening the defence. If we continue playing this way, we will give ourselves more chances to win,” he said.
Lessons From Close Defeats
Head coach Jaivir Sharma echoed the sentiment, pointing out that the team’s earlier setbacks had been decided by the smallest of margins.
“Several matches slipped away from us because of minor mistakes,” Sharma admitted. “We studied those games carefully, worked on our shortcomings, and today the improvement was visible. This victory has lifted the spirits of the entire squad.”
Eyes Set on U Mumba Clash
While acknowledging the support of the Chennai crowd, Shadloui was quick to shift focus towards their next opponents, U Mumba, whom they face on Thursday.
“Tonight was good, but I’m not satisfied yet. I made a mistake in the last game, and I’ve accepted it. This time things will be different — we are ready to show our strength,” he declared.
Rivalry Brewing With Sunil Kumar
Adding spice to the upcoming contest, Shadloui also addressed his personal rivalry with U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar.
“Sunil is a strong captain and a quality player. In the last match, I played my first-ever tie-breaker, but Thursday will not be the same. I’m coming for revenge,” the Iranian powerhouse warned.
What It Means for Gujarat
The Giants’ victory not only keeps them in the hunt for a playoff push but also injects fresh belief into a squad that had been struggling for consistency. With Shadloui in peak form and the team learning from past errors, Gujarat’s clash against U Mumba promises to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Chennai leg.