Captain Chandran Ranjit and raider Rakesh powered Gujarat Giants to an emphatic win over U.P. Yoddhas in their fifth Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 match at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, October 19.
Chandran Ranjit produced a stunning display as he led from the front with 20 points along with contributions from fellow raider Rakesh, who bagged 16 points in the match to continue their dominance over U.P Yoddhas as they secured a 51-45 win.
The Giants captain stepped up with a couple of raids in the first five minutes of the match but Surender Gill also picked up raids for the Yoddhas as both sides traded points.
However, Pardeep Narwal pulled off a Super Raid in the ninth minute to help the Yoddhas take the lead at 10-7.
Moments later, Ranjit effected a fantastic raid and helped his side to regain the lead at 12-11. However, the Yoddhas inflicted an All Out in the 12th minute and attained a stronghold of the match at 16-14. Defenders Ashu Singh and Sumit also joined the party for Uttar Pradesh outfit as the team widened its lead at 19-15. Ranjit and Rakesh pulled off raids for Gujarat, but the Yoddhas managed to stay ahead at 21-19 at the end of the first half.
The Giants showed more determination and inflicted an All Out in the opening minutes of the second half to take the lead at 25-23. Meanwhile, Ranjit effected a Super Raid and reduced the Yoddhas to three players on the mat.
On the other hand, Gujarat kept raging on and inflicted another All Out in the 28th minute of the match to take a massive lead at 37-29. Giants’ star raider Rakesh continued to showcase top form as he kept his side in the lead at 42-35 in the 35th minute.
Soon after, Gujarat sealed the deal after effecting another All Out and taking a huge lead at 49-38. Pardeep Narwal pulled off a Super Raid in the dying minutes of the match, but the Giants held on to their lead and eventually walked off the mat as winners.
Captain Chandran Ranjit was the Player of the Match for his incredible 20 points including 12 successful tackles and eight bonus points.
With the impressive win, the Giants jumped to fifth in the PKL 9 standings with 14 points from five matches while the Yoddhas dropped to sixth with 13 points from five games.
The Giants will aim to continue their winning run when they lock horns with Haryana Steelers at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Saturday, October 22.
