Pro Kabaddi 2023, Day 2 Match Report: Gujarat Giants beat Bengaluru Bulls for back-to-back wins; Tamil Thalaivas beat Dabang Delhi

Pro Kabaddi 2023 Day 2 saw Gujarat Giants pip Bengaluru Bulls 34-31 in a closely-fought encounter for thier second win as many days at the EKA Arena by TransStadia on Sunday. The other match saw Tamil Thalaivas post a 42-31 win over Bengaluru Bulls.

Both sides kept trading the lead throughout the game until the Giants managed to clinch the lead in the last couple of minutes and win the game 34-31. Sonu emerged as the best player for the Giants once again with 12 points in the match.

Neeraj Narwal pulled off a magnificent raid in the opening minute of the game as the Bulls took the lead at 3-0. Moments later, Bharat backed up his compatriot and reduced the Giants to just two members on the mat. However, Mohammad Nabibakhsh pulled off a Super Tackle and helped the Giants stay in the contest in the 5th minute. Sonu picked up two raid points soon after as the Giants levelled the score at 5-5.

Thereafter, the Giants and the Bulls fought a neck-to-neck battle as the scores were levelled at 9-9 in the 11th minute. But, Vikash Kandola pulled off a magnificent raid to reduce the Giants to just one member on the mat. Moments later, the Bulls tackled Parteek Dahiya and inflicted an All-Out to take a decent lead at 14-11. The Bulls' defensive unit continued to shine and helped the team race away with a big lead at 20-14 by the end of the first half.

Tamil Thalaivas' star raider Ajinkya Pawar was on fire, as he went on to register a 21-point haul against Dabang Delhi K.C. in match 3 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 on Sunday evening. Tamil Thalaivas walked off the mat as the winners, with the score reading 42-31 in their favour.

The contest started off with both sides being watchful in the early minutes. The early exchanges saw both teams bag a couple of points each, with Ajinkya Pawar and Naveen Kumar getting their team off the mark. Neither side were ready to blink first, and Tamil Thalaivas were looking very strong at the back. The trend continued well into the second phase of the first half, as Tamil Thalaivas and Dabang Delhi K.C. exchanged blows and did not allow one another to get a sizeable lead.

Ajinkya Pawar and Sahil Gulia then took charge for Tamil Thalaivas, while Naveen and Ashu Malik were pushing the envelope for Dabang Delhi K.C.. With the first half nearing its end, Tamil Thalaivas landed an All-Out on Manjeet, and stormed into the lead. Dabang Delhi K.C. though were having none of that and went through the gears quickly, with Naveen registering a Super Raid. At half-time, Tamil Thalaivas were 4 points ahead, with the contest well and truly on a knife edge.

Dabang Delhi K.C. needed to up the ante in the second half, and they gave it their all after the breather. Nonetheless, Tamil Thalaivas were on a roll. Ajinkya Rawar registered his Super 10, and was ably aided by Narender and Himanshu, which helped them stretch the lead to a 6-point one, early in the second half. At this point, Tamil Thalaivas were looking to build on their lead, and Ajinkya was marching on towards a 20-point haul.

In the final 10 minutes, the game swung in favour of Tamil Thalaivas, who were on fire in all departments. Dabang Delhi K.C. left no stone unturned in the second half, however, there were a few instances where there was a slip between the cup and the lip, and the opponents made that count. Eventually, the men in yellow, Tamil Thalaivas stormed over the line, winning the contest with relative ease.

Sonu then effected a Super Raid in the opening minutes of the second half and reduced the gap between the two sides. Moments later, the Giants tackled Bharat and inched closer to the Bulls' score. However, Vishal tackled Nabibakhsh and helped the Bulls extend their lead in the 25th minute. But, the Giants continued to fight and took the lead at 24-23 after inflicting an All-Out in the 27th minute. Kandola effected a fantastic raid in the 31st minute, but the Giants still held the lead at 26-24.

However, Bharat effected a raid and Neeraj Narwal picked up a tackle point to help the Bulls reclaim the lead at 28-27 in the 36th minute. But Rakesh then pulled off a brilliant raid and tackled Bharat to help the Giants take the lead at 32-30 in the 39th minute. The home side played its cards perfectly in the final seconds of the game and walked off the mat as winners of the game.

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