Gujarat Giants produced a spirited comeback in the second half but went down to Bengal Warriors 40-45 in a Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 match at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune on Saturday, November 5.

Trailing 18-32 at the end of the first half, the Giants showed more urgency under the tutelage of head coach Ram Mehar Singh in the first five minutes of the second half as they reduced the deficit to 33-21.

Meanwhile, the Giants kept chipping away at the lead as they inflicted an All Out in the 28th minute. The Giants later tackled Maninder in the 32nd minute, but Bengal stayed in the lead at 37-31.

Moments later, the side from Gujarat inflicted another All Out and were back in the game at 36-38. However, the Bengal side held their nerve in the last few minutes and ensured that they stayed in the lead till the end of the game.

All-rounder Prateek Dhaiya was the standout player for the Giants as he picked 12 points including eight successful raids, three bonus points and one tackle point.

Earlier, Rakesh effected a few raids as the Gujarat Giants took the lead at 10-8 in the ninth minute. However, the Warriors inflicted an All Out in the 12th minute and inched ahead at 14-12. Soon after, captain Maninder Singh pulled off a SUPER RAID as the Bengal side took a massive lead at 21-14. Thereafter, the Warriors extended their lead even further after Deepak Hooda tackled Parteek Dhaiya to inflict another All Out on the Giants. Maninder kept picking up raid points as the Warriors ended the first half with their noses in front at 32-18.

Bengal captain Maninder Singh led from the front for the Warriors with 20 points in the match.

With another set-back, the Gujarat Giants will look to bounce back against Bengaluru Bulls in Pune on Sunday, November 6.

With 26 points from 10 matches, the Giants are currently placed ninth in the Pro Kabaddi Season 9 standings and need to win against the Bulls in order to stay in contention for the playoffs.