Jaipur Pink Panthers trounce U Mumba to keep playoff hopes alive

A 17-point outing from Arjun Deshwal saw Jaipur Pink Panthers beat U Mumba 44-28. With this win, Jaipur closed the gap to third-placed U.P. Yoddha to six points.

The Pink Panthers scored the game’s first two points, but four points in two raids from V Ajith Kumar saw U Mumba pull ahead on the scoreboard. Deshwal helped his side level the scores, but a two-point raid from Abhishek Singh saw U Mumba reclaim the lead.

While their raiders started the game well, U Mumba’s defence couldn’t contain Deshwal. The raider orchestrated a 5-0 run for the Pink Panthers that saw them reduce U Mumba to just two men on the mat. Substitute Kamlesh went in to raid for U Mumba and was pinned down by Jaipur’s defence. Rahul Sethpal, the last man on the mat for his side, made no attempt to tackle Deshwal and surrendered a raid point, which saw the Pink Panthers take a six-point lead.

U Mumba finished the half strongly, as they embarked on a 5-2 run to go into the break trailing by three points.

Three points in two raids from U Mumba’s raiders reduced the Pink Panthers to just two men on the mat, but a Super Raid from Brijendra saw Jaipur reclaim their four-point advantage and keep the All Out at bay. U Mumba did not relent and embarked on another 5-2 run to reduce the Pink Panthers to only Brijendra on the mat.

The all-rounder delivered again, as he picked up a bonus and a touch point to revive a teammate. That proved vital as Nitin Rawal, who was the player revived, Super Tackled Abhishek to push the Pink Panthers’ lead up to four. The all-rounder then assisted Pavan TR’s Super Tackle on Ajith to push Jaipur ahead by six on the scoreboard.

U Mumba responded well to the setback and scored two unanswered points to reduce the Pink Panthers to two players on the mat. But a Super Raid from Deshwal, followed by a sensational team tackle on Abhishek, turned the tide of the contest in Jaipur’s favour.

Deshwal picked up another touch point to reduce U Mumba to a solitary man, and Jaipur’s defence pinned down Kamlesh to inflict an All Out on U Mumba to take a nine-point lead. A spectacular Dash from Vishal followed by an incredible five-point Super Raid from Deshwal saw Jaipur extend their lead to 15.

The Pink Panthers’ defence capped off the win with another tackle point, as Jaipur cruised to a 16-point win over their arch-rivals.

Top Performers

Jaipur Pink Panthers

Best Raider – Arjun Deshwal (17 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Nitin Rawal (4 Tackle Points)
U Mumba

Best Raider - V Ajith Kumar (11 Raid Points)

Best Defender - Rinku (2 Tackle Points)