Telugu Titans Triumph Over Haryana Steelers in PKL Showdown
Telugu Titans Secure Dominant Victory in Chennai
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] - On October 8, the Telugu Titans concluded their Chennai leg with a decisive 46-29 win against the Haryana Steelers at the SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium. This victory marked a significant seventeen-point defeat for the Steelers.
Bharat Hooda celebrated his 100th match in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) with an outstanding performance, scoring 20 points, which included 16 points from raids and four from tackles. Vijay Malik also made a notable contribution with eight points, as reported by a press release from the league.
The Titans started the match with great intensity, quickly putting pressure on the defending champions. Hooda initiated the scoring with a multi-point raid, followed by Malik's two-point raid, establishing an early 6-0 lead. The Steelers managed to get on the scoreboard with a bonus point from Vinay but struggled to find their rhythm.
It wasn't long before the Titans executed their first All Out, thanks to a tackle by Ajit Pawar. Hooda continued to shine, helping his team extend their lead to thirteen points with another tackle from Ankit. The Haryana Steelers eventually regrouped and began to fight back.
Mayank Saini's Super Raid and a Super Tackle by Rahul Ahri helped narrow the gap to eight points. Shivam Patare made significant contributions on both offense and defense, while Vinay's All Out brought the score to a mere two-point difference.
However, Hooda remained relentless, completing his Super 10 with a successful Do-Or-Die Raid. His exceptional performance in both offense and defense was crucial in leading the Titans to their second All Out just before halftime, restoring their ten-point advantage at 26-16.
In the second half, the Titans maintained their aggressive play. Malik began to contribute more, while Hooda continued to be a key player. A Super Tackle by Jaideep Dahiya briefly reduced the lead to twelve points, but the Titans quickly executed a third All Out, extending their lead to seventeen points.
With a commanding lead, the Titans controlled the final quarter, making victory seem inevitable. Shubham Shinde, Avi Duhan, and Ankit made crucial tackles, solidifying their dominance. The young players from the Haryana Steelers, including Ankit Dhull and Jaya Soorya, attempted to rally with a Super Tackle and some raids, but it was not enough.
Ultimately, the gap between the two teams proved insurmountable for the defending champions. Hooda's stellar performance with 20 points ensured the Telugu Titans secured their fifth consecutive win, while the Haryana Steelers faced their fifth straight loss.