Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants registered a 34-27 victory over Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) here on Thursday.
While Girish Ernak scored seven tackle points for Gujarat, Rakesh Narwal led the attack with seven raid points.
The match started off with both teams finding it difficult to pile points on the scoreboard.
Jaipur held a four-point lead but two strong tackles from Ernak and some good work from Gujarat's raiders helped the latter score five straight points, leaving Jaipur with just two players on the mat.
Rakesh then got them both in the same raid to help Gujarat inflict the match’s first all out, taking a 13-7 lead.
Arjun Deshwal’s two-point raid enabled Jaipur to make a comeback. Jaipur outscored Gujarat by 5-1 and reduced them to two on the mat.
A super tackle from Parvesh Bhainswal stalled the all out but Deshwal ensured Jaipur cash in on their advantage, taking out the remaining two players and helping Jaipur inflict an all out. The teams headed into half-time with Gujarat leading by 2.
Jaipur carried their momentum into the second-half and were aggressive from the get-go. Gujarat continued to resist but eventually Jaipur snatched the lead, thanks to Deshwal, who completed his super 10 midway through the half and some strong work from the team's defence.
However, Gujarat stormed back to life and embarked on a 6-2 run to take back the lead and reduce Jaipur down to just two players on the mat.
A self-out and a Bhainswal block saw Gujarat inflict an all out and take a 33-27 lead with under a minute left in the contest. Ernak, the star of the show for Gujarat, added another tackle point to his tally for good measure, as his team sealed the victory.