Patna Pirates delivered a commanding performance to defeat league leaders Puneri Paltan 38-27 in a thrilling Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 match held at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium. Ayan Lohchab was once again the undisputed star, contributing an impressive 17 points and spearheading the Pirates’ charge. His exceptional raiding, combined with a solid defensive effort, proved too much for the top-ranked Puneri Paltan.
The opening ten minutes were a tense affair, marked by strategic play from both sides. Patna’s raiders, Ayan Lohchab and Ankit Kumar, displayed excellent coordination, while the defensive line, featuring Deepak and Navdeep, held strong against Puneri’s initial raids. Patna managed to establish an early 8-5 lead, showcasing their early dominance.
Throughout the first half, Ayan Lohchab continued to be the primary scoring threat for Patna, executing quick and decisive raids. Navdeep’s leadership in organizing the defense was also a key factor. However, Puneri’s defensive unit, comprising Abinesh Nadarajan, Rakesh, and Sanjay Enania, demonstrated remarkable resilience, securing crucial Super Tackles that disrupted Patna’s rhythm. Puneri Paltan, with Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh performing well, managed to find their footing in the latter part of the half, eventually overturning Patna’s lead to go into halftime with a 15-13 advantage.
In the second half, Patna Pirates rallied effectively, driven by Ayan Lohchab’s continued scoring prowess. He orchestrated numerous successful raids, putting constant pressure on Puneri’s defense. Milan Dahiya also made a significant impact, including a pivotal ALL OUT that shifted the momentum decisively in Patna’s favor. Despite efforts from Abhishek Gunge and Mohammad Nabibakhsh to rally Puneri, Patna’s cohesive teamwork on both offense and defense allowed them to steadily regain control of the match.
Patna’s raiding duo of Ayan Lohchab and Stuwart Singh proved unstoppable in the closing stages, executing precise and high-impact raids. The Pirates’ defense also tightened considerably, with Ankit and Navdeep making vital tackles to thwart Puneri’s attempts to close the gap. This well-rounded performance, characterized by clinical raiding and disciplined defending, allowed Patna Pirates to extend their lead and secure a comfortable victory against the league leaders.