Arjun Deshwal put up a masterclass to help the Jaipur Pink Panthers register their first victory of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 on Monday. The Season 9 champions were trailing at 12-20 at the end of the first half but fought their way back in the second half to clinch the game 35-32 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Deshwal, who scored 15 points in the match, also recorded his 700th raid point in his PKL career.
Both sides played out a neck-to-neck battle in the opening minutes of the match and were locked at 5-5 in the 7th minute. However, Sonu pulled off a super raid and helped the Giants inch ahead at 8-5 soon after. The Giants rode on the momentum and inflicted an all-out in the 10th minute to extend their lead further.
Sonu picked up a raid point and Fazel Atrachali tackled V Ajith Kumar as the Giants continued to forge ahead. The Jaipur Pink Panthers played a defensive game thereafter as the Giants led comfortably at 18-10 in the 18th minute, Moreover, Sonu continued to pick up raid points and helped Gujarat end the first half in a dominant position at 20-12.
The Panthers tackled Rohit Gulia in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Giants still held a decent lead at 20-14. Arjun Deshwal effected a couple of brilliant raids and reduced the gap between the two sides in the 27th minute. Moments later, Deshwal pulled off a super raid and reduced the Giants to one member on the mat.
