Highlights from Pro Kabaddi League 2022 Season 9 of Day 1: Dabang Delhi, Bengaluru Bulls, and UP Yoddhas all scored their first victories on the opening day.
After a long wait, Pro Kabaddi Season 9 had its kick-off on October 7th at 7:30 PM IST at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru.
After a long absence from the epidemic, fans finally returned to the stadiums for the start of the new season.
Fans enjoyed a triple panga on the first day of the new season, with Dabang Delhi K.C. and U Mumba battling in the first match and Bengaluru Bulls taking on Telugu Titans in the second.
The opening day concludes with a game between the Jaipur Pink Panthers and the UP Yoddhas.
Here is our preview for the first day of action: UP Yoddhas vs Jaipur Pink Panthers
Jaipur Pink Panthers will face UP Yoddhas in the final match of the first day of in-person Pro Kabaddi Season 9.
The Season 1 winners appear to be a great squad, and they will be hoping to live up to their promise on the mat.
The Panthers have ensured that they have various options in attack with raiders like Rahul Chaudhari, Arjun Deshwal, and V Ajith Kumar on the roster.
Arjun Deshwal, who finished second in raid points (267) the previous season, will be the team’s lead raider, with Rahul Chaudhari and V Ajith Kumar serving as supporting raiders.
On defense, the Jaipur Pink Panthers boast veteran Sunil Kumar and Sahul Kumar, impressed with his approach against the season 1 champions in the most recent campaign.
New arrivals Lucky Sharma and Nitin Chandel are also expected to contribute defensively.
All eyes will be on the UP Yoddhas’ sensational heist: Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, and Nitin Tomar.
On their day, all three raiders are match winners and will share the responsibility of collecting raid points for the Yoddhas.
Last season, Pardeep Narwhal and Surender Gill earned 188 and 189 raid points for the Yoddhas, respectively, and will look to score even more, this season with Nitin Tomar by their side to lessen the attack strain.
Defensively, their proven pairing of Nitesh Kumar and Sumit will be crucial.
Both defenders have much experience playing together, and opposition attackers aren’t looking forward to going up against them.
Sumit, who has been among the top five defenders for the previous two seasons, is an ideal partner for Nitesh, who will head the UP Yoddhas defense.
This edition, which will be held in three cities: Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, will be noteworthy because supporters will be welcomed back to the stadium after a three-year absence.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi League 2022 | Full Schedule, Time Table, Team List and Live Stream Information
Pardeep Narwal has not scored in the first 20 minutes of this game. The Dubki King’s struggles with form continue. Can Jaipur take advantage and seal this game in their favour?
Follow #JPPvUPY LIVE π https://t.co/v4vjLXIcQ0#PKL9 | #ProKabaddi pic.twitter.com/YqAqxlNEBP
β Sportstar (@sportstarweb) October 7, 2022
The Yoddhas sneaked past the Panthers in an absolute nail-biter π¬#vivoProKabaddi fans, π©π°πΈ’π΄ π΅π©π’π΅ π§π°π³ π’ #ππ’π―π΅π’π΄π΅πͺπ€ππ’π―π¨π’?#JPPvUP pic.twitter.com/DBgfV8wTxJ
β ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) October 7, 2022
Dabang Delhi K.C. Captain Naveen Kumar expressed his excitement for the season, saying,
“We are the defending champions. Therefore we are optimistic that we will play well this season.”
I used to play for the team as a player, and I will continue to do so as Captain. I’ll have to lead our group ahead.
Responsibility makes a person stronger. Therefore I’ll keep my obligations in mind and perform well this season.”
Meanwhile, the Captain of the host side (Bengaluru Bulls) for the opening leg of the competition, Mahender Singh, remarked about the addition of star raider Vikash Kandola in his squad, saying,
“Vikash is a fantastic raider, and he has excelled in past seasons of Pro Kabaddi League.” So we have high hopes for him. I hope he has a successful season and helps us win many games.”
Anupam Goswami, Head Sports Leagues, Mashal Sports and League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League, said of PKL season 9 opening doors to fans and the critical factors behind the League’s growth.
“Fans and spectators are at the heart of any sport, and we will look to set new benchmarks for in-stadia fan activities this season.” The League’s primary focus has been on the fans because there is no success in sports without success with the peopleβ.
“And, to thrive with the fans, we must deliver high-quality competition, which has been one of our primary focuses.” A league concept that has the potential to improve over time has also been crucial to the League’s success.”
After the Dabang Delhi K.C. – U Mumba game, the Bengaluru Bulls and Telugu Titans will restart their rivalry in the southern derby in Battle No. 2, and the Jaipur Pink Panthers will play an exciting match against U.P. Yoddhas in the day’s last game.
Head to head: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs UP Yoddhas
The Jaipur Pink Panthers and the UP Yoddhas have met seven times. The Panthers have three victories against the Yoddhas’ four.
PKL 2022 Highlights: Dabang Delhi vs U Mumba
Captain Naveen Kumar of Dabang Delhi K.C. ensured that his side got off to a great start in the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 by scoring 13 points for his team.
It defeated U Mumba 41-27 in the inaugural match on Friday at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru.
Dabang Delhi K.C. took the lead after Naveen Kumar executed a series of spectacular raids.
He was ably supported by defenders Vishal and Sandeep Dhull as Delhi inflicted an all-out in the ninth minute to grab a big lead of 11-9.
Naveen kept his foot on the gas, allowing Delhi to extend its advantage to 14-5. The Dabang Delhi K.C. the defense line, coached by Krishan, continued to press the U Mumba raiders as Delhi led 19-10 at halftime.
U Mumba displayed more energy in the second half, with Ashish scooping up some key raid points and Kiran Magar pulling off several fantastic tackles.
Still, the Naveen Express continued rampaging, and Delhi led 28-20 in the 31st minute.
Naveen engineered a multi-point raid and achieved his first Super 10 of the season with only three U Mumba men on the mat.
Delhi then imposed another all-out and led comfortably at 33-21.
In the 40th minute, Delhi sealed the match’s fate by taking a commanding 12-point advantage.
Naveen continued to rack up raid points, and Dabang Delhi K.C. ultimately emerged victorious.
And the Dabangiri of the Dabangs continues… π₯
They are off with a fantastic win in their first match of Season 9 π#DELvMUM #vivoProKabaddi #FantasticPanga pic.twitter.com/lGGwUcKzw1
β ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) October 7, 2022
Highlights of the Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans:
The Bengaluru Bulls captivated the home audience with a 34-29 victory over the Telugu Titans at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium.
For the Bulls, Neeraj Narwal ended with 7 points, while Vikash Kandola and Bharat each added 5 points to help them start their season with a thrilling triumph.
Vinay launched the initial raid, which the Titans immediately followed. Siddharth Desai also chipped in before Bharat and Bengaluru Bulls’ attack was thwarted.
The early impetus belonged to the Telugu Titans performing admirably as a team.
Bengaluru, the hosts, came back in the early exchanges, wiping away the narrow advantage, as Bharat, Saurabh Nandal, and Neeraj Narwal led the assault, picking up points emphatically.
The Bulls imposed an all-out shortly before the midway mark of the first half, giving them a five-point advantage.
With the debut of Rajnish, whose super raid placed the cat among the pigeons shortly before the pause, Telugu found another gear.
Right after, Rajnish orchestrated an all-out on the Bulls, and both teams headed into the half tied at 17-17.
With the clock ticking, Rajnish and the Titans threw everything at the opponents, but the Bulls’ defense was at its frightening best, eating up the points at breakneck speed.
The Bulls, who had 12 tackle points to the Titans’ 7, finished the night with a comfortable victory.
The Bulls’ charge was π as they start their season with a BANG π#BLRvTT #vivoProKabaddi #FantasticPanga pic.twitter.com/SuXvEAIc49
β ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) October 7, 2022