Chennai – Puneri Paltan held their nerve in crunch moments to edge past Jaipur Pink Panthers 41–36 in a gripping Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 encounter at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium. Despite a sensational 22-point masterclass from Iranian raider Ali Samadi, it was Aditya Shinde’s Super 10 and some rock-solid defensive work that carried the Paltan home.
Shinde, Mohite, and Goyat Lead the Charge
Puneri Paltan’s raiding unit clicked as Aditya Shinde (10 points), Pankaj Mohite (8 points), and Mohit Goyat (7 points) ensured consistent scoring. While Shinde anchored the raid department, Mohite and Goyat’s timely contributions gave the Paltan a much-needed balance.
On the other side, Jaipur relied almost single-handedly on Samadi, who delivered the best-ever performance by an overseas player in PKL history with his stunning 22-point show. But without enough support, the Iranian’s brilliance fell just short.
First Half: Paltan Dominate With Early All Outs
The match began on an even footing, with Mohite and Samadi trading early blows. However, the tide turned when Puneri Paltan tightened their defense, led by Vishal Bhardwaj’s commanding tackles. Shinde’s sharp raids and a two-point effort from Mohite inflicted the first All Out, giving the Paltan a 12–6 advantage.
Momentum firmly shifted in Pune’s favor as they pressed on with aggressive raiding. By halftime, the Paltan had inflicted a second All Out, storming to a commanding 25–12 lead.
Second Half: Samadi Sparks Jaipur Comeback
If the first half belonged to Pune, the second was all about Ali Samadi’s brilliance. The Iranian raider turned the contest on its head with a Super Raid followed by back-to-back multi-point raids, reaching his Super 10 in style.
Jaipur’s defense also stepped up through Reza Mirbagheri, who forced their first All Out of the night, cutting the deficit to just three points. With under 10 minutes remaining, Samadi’s relentless raids dragged Jaipur back to 33–33, setting up a tense finale.
Paltan’s Defense Stands Tall in Final Moments
With the game on a knife’s edge, Puneri Paltan’s defense showcased why it is regarded as one of the best in PKL. Dadaso Pujari and Mohit Goyat executed back-to-back Super Tackles on Samadi, halting Jaipur’s momentum at a crucial juncture.
Though Samadi still threatened late with a quick raid and tackle, Mohit Goyat sealed the deal with a multi-point raid in the dying seconds, confirming a thrilling 41–36 win for the Paltan.
Key Takeaways
- Aditya Shinde’s Super 10 provided balance for Puneri Paltan.
- Ali Samadi’s 22 points set a new PKL benchmark for overseas raiders, underlining his match-winning potential.
- Jaipur’s over-reliance on Samadi exposed defensive cracks, while Pune’s collective effort shone through.
- Paltan’s defensive depth proved decisive in crunch moments.
With this victory, Puneri Paltan solidify their playoff push, while the defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers will need to regroup quickly to avoid slipping further in the standings.