Haryana Steelers are officially heading to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 12 playoffs after a resounding 50-32 victory over the Gujarat Giants at Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium. This win also seals a playoff spot for the Jaipur Pink Panthers, adding to the excitement of the season.
The Steelers showcased a dominant offensive display, with Shivam Patare and Vinay both achieving ‘Super 10s’. Patare was particularly impactful, scoring 16 raid points and achieving a career milestone of over 400 raid points in the league. The Gujarat Giants fought hard, with Himanshu Singh also managing a ‘Super 10’, but it wasn’t enough to counter Haryana’s superior performance.
Haryana set the tone early, with Vinay scoring the first point and Jaideep making a strong defensive play. Gujarat showed resilience, with Himanshu Singh making valuable raids and Lucky Sharma contributing with a tackle, leading to an ‘All Out’ that put them back in the game.
However, the Steelers quickly regrouped. Shivam Patare proved to be a game-changer, excelling in both raiding and defense to bring the score level at 10-10. They carried this momentum forward, with Hardeep and Patare maintaining the pressure. A crucial tackle by Rahul resulted in another ‘All Out’ for Haryana, giving them a four-point lead. Despite efforts from Gujarat’s Mohammadreza Shadloui in defense, Haryana held a comfortable 21-15 lead at halftime.
The second half started slower, with tactical exchanges. Shivam Patare and Ankit Dahiya successfully executed ‘Do-Or-Die Raids’. Patare then reached his ‘Super 10’, extending Haryana’s lead to ten points. Ankit Dahiya’s impressive ‘Super Raid’ reduced the deficit to seven with ten minutes remaining, keeping the Giants’ hopes alive. Ultimately, a critical tackle by Neeraj, leading to a final ‘All Out’, and Vinay’s four-point ‘Super Raid’ sealed the victory for the Steelers at 39-26. Vinay also completed his ‘Super 10’, while Himanshu Singh achieved the same for the Giants. Despite Himanshu Singh’s late surge to make it 40-30, Haryana Steelers remained in control, securing a decisive 50-32 win and confirming their playoff spot.