Season 10 champions register convincing 37-27 win in Chennai
Puneri Paltan continued their impressive Pro Kabaddi League form with a commanding 37-27 victory over U Mumba at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium on Wednesday night. The spotlight was firmly on Aditya Shinde, who delivered another standout performance, scoring 14 points that proved decisive in turning the tide of the match.
The defending champions had to weather an early storm but showed composure and depth to eventually dismantle their rivals and secure a crucial win.
U Mumba strike first, but Paltan respond
U Mumba started brightly, catching Puneri off guard with Rinku’s early tackle on skipper Aslam Inamdar. Ajit Chouhan then stunned the champions with a Super Raid, taking out Gaurav Khatri, Pankaj Mohite, and Gurdeep to open up a 4-0 lead.
It was Aditya Shinde who finally opened Puneri’s account with a smart raid on Rinku, sparking his side into life. Shinde followed up with quick dismissals of Lokesh Ghosliya and Parvesh Bhainswal, pulling Paltan level at 5-5. Despite the resurgence, U Mumba edged the first quarter with Ajit continuing to raid with confidence.
Puneri Paltan swing momentum in second quarter
The second quarter highlighted why Puneri are considered one of the most balanced sides this season. After initially allowing U Mumba to dictate the exchanges, the Paltan regrouped through sharp raids from Aslam and Pankaj, supported by well-timed tackles.
A clinical team effort saw them inflict the first ALL OUT of the game, turning a deficit into a commanding lead. By halftime, Puneri were firmly in control, heading into the break with a 17-12 advantage.
Ajit Chouhan keeps U Mumba alive
The third quarter saw U Mumba claw back through Ajit Chouhan’s brilliance. His raids on Vishal Bhardwaj and Gurdeep reduced the gap and kept Puneri’s defence on alert. Every time the Steelers threatened to swing momentum, Aditya Shinde responded with crucial raids, ensuring the Paltan stayed ahead.
At 22-21 with ten minutes left, the contest was delicately poised. Sandeep and Amirmohammad Zafardanesh added vital points for U Mumba, briefly equalising the score. But a decisive Super Tackle from Shinde restored Puneri’s lead heading into the final stretch.
Shinde seals it with late heroics
With the match in the balance, Puneri Paltan held their nerve. Aditya Shinde completed his Super 10 — also reaching the milestone of 100 career PKL points — before inflicting a match-clinching ALL OUT in the dying minutes.
Anil’s bonus raid in a Do-or-Die situation added insurance, while defenders like Abinesh Nadarajan tightened up to ensure no late slip-ups. Ultimately, Puneri’s mix of experience and composure saw them close out a convincing 37-27 win, extending their dominance in the league.