In a stunning upset, the Patna Pirates defeated the formidable Puneri Paltan, the current table-toppers, with a final score of 38-27 in a gripping Pro Kabaddi League 2025 fixture. The hero of the match was undoubtedly Ayan Lohchab, who delivered a match-winning performance with 17 points. His offensive prowess, combined with a robust defensive strategy, was instrumental in the Pirates’ comeback victory after trailing at halftime.
The game commenced with intense tactical play, as both teams exhibited strong defense. Patna’s raiders, including Ayan Lohchab and Ankit Kumar, were supported by a solid defensive unit, allowing them to maintain a narrow lead of 8-5 within the first ten minutes.
As the first half progressed, Ayan Lohchab continued to be the primary offensive threat for Patna, while Navdeep anchored the defense. Puneri Paltan, however, showed their class with effective Super Tackles from their defensive stars like Abinesh Nadarajan, preventing Patna from pulling too far ahead. Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh provided crucial raid points for Puneri, enabling them to overturn Patna’s early advantage and secure a 15-13 lead by the end of the first half.
The second half witnessed a resurgent Patna Pirates. Ayan Lohchab rediscovered his scoring touch, leading multiple successful raids that put the Paltan defense on the back foot. Milan Dahiya’s crucial raids, including a game-changing ALL OUT, injected significant energy into the Pirates’ campaign. Although Puneri attempted to fight back through Gunge and Nabibakhsh, Patna’s cohesive team play on both ends of the mat enabled them to steadily erase the deficit.
In the decisive moments, the Pirates’ raiding duo of Ayan Lohchab and Stuwart Singh executed aggressive and effective raids, consistently scoring points. The defense, marshaled by Ankit and Navdeep, became impenetrable, effectively shutting down Puneri’s attempts to regain control. This dominant second-half performance, marked by clinical raiding and steadfast defending, sealed a convincing 38-27 victory for the Patna Pirates, marking a significant win against the league leaders.