Ajay Kumar and Pardeep Kumar’s efforts of 11 and 10 points, respectively, helped Gujarat Giants beat Haryana Steelers 32-26 in Pro Kabaddi Season 8 at the Sheraton Grand, Whitefield in Bengaluru on Monday.

Ajay Kumar starred for Gujarat Giants with 11 points while Parvesh Bhainswal and Girish Ernak registered three points each in the defence.

Lead defender Ravinder Pahal returned to the starting lineup for the first time since suffering a knee injury against Puneri Paltan in Gujarat’s sixth match of the season.

For Haryana Steelers, Meetu scored eight raid points while Jaideep scored two tackle points.

Playing in the starting seven, Ajay Kumar started the proceedings for Gujarat Giants by scoring points of successive raids to help his side gain an early lead. Ajay was complemented by Pardeep Kumar as the duo kept scoring and taking advantage of Haryana’s leaky defence.

Pardeep Kumar’s twin two-point raids in the dying moments of the first half helped Gujarat Giants gain a healthy seven-point lead. Ajay then scored another two-point raid as Gujarat led 19-12 going into half-time.

In the second half, Haryana’s duo of Meetu and Vikash Kandola reduced the deficit by getting points off back-to-back raids. The Steelers’ managed to cut the points difference to six with under 10 minutes of play but Gujarat’s defence stepped up at the right time to restrict the Haryana Steelers from running away with the game.

The win took Gujarat’s points tally to 33 from 13 matches. They are placed at the 11th spot in the PKL standings. Meanwhile, Haryana Steelers with 43 points from 15 matches are in fourth place.

Gujarat Giants will be up against defending champions Bengal Warriors on Tuesday.