The league stage of the 2021-22 season has come to an end and it was an enthralling competition to watch for the fans of all franchises.
The ongoing PKL 8 saw three-time Pro Kabaddi league champions Patna Pirates lead the way with 16 wins in 22 matches accumulating a total of 86 points with a massive score difference of 120, a record in the club's history.
Dabang Delhi has a spot in the top two while U.P. Yodhha, Gujarat Giants, Bengaluru Bulls, and Puneri Paltan have made it to the playoffs as well. Delhi, UP, Gujarat, and Pune would be aiming to win their first-ever PKL trophy in the next few days.
Here are the five most unexpected wins of the ongoing edition of the PKL 8.
5. Telugu Titans' shock 35-34 win against Jaipur Pink Panthers
Match 65 between Season 1 champions Jaipur Pink Panthers and Telugu Titans was expected to go only one way with the Titans failing to grab a win in any of their first 10 matches of the league season.
Jaipur was leading 21-13 at the break and looked set for a comfortable win but the Hyderabad-based franchise with Adarsh and Rajnish combining for 16 raid points powering the Titans to their only win of PKL 8.
4. Tamil Thalaivas hand Haryana Steelers a 45-26 defeat
In Match 45, Tamil Thalaivas handed Haryana Steelers a heavy 45-26 defeat jumping to the 4th spot in the league standings at that stage of the season eventually ending in 11th position at the business end of PKL 8.
Manjeet scored a 'Super 10' while defenders Surjeet Singh and Sagar were impressive at the back inflicting four 'All-Outs' on the Haryana-based franchise. The uncharacteristic all-rounder performances from the Thalaivas were rarely witnessed this season.
3. Bengal Warriors outplay Tamil Thalaivas 52-21
With both the franchises out of the running for the playoffs by Match 122 of PKL 8, not many eyes were on the match between Bengal Warriors and Tamil Thalaivas. Defending champions Bengal Warriors completely obliterated the Thalaivas 52-21 in the contest with raider Maninder Singh scoring a staggering 14 raid points.
Iranian all-rounder Esmaeil Nabibaksh also scored 13 points in the match helping the Warriors completely dominate a match after a roller-coaster season for his side.
2. Jaipur Pink Panthers emerge 51-30 winners against league leaders Patna Pirates
The Patna Pirates were rarely on the losing side of a contest in PKL 8 with 16 wins in 22 matches but Season 1 champions Jaipur Pink Panthers outplayed the Patna-based franchise 51-30 in Match 82 of PKL 8.
Young starlet Arjun Deshwal was the star of the match as he bagged 17 points in the match wrecking Patna's defense as they could only collect 6 tackle points in the whole match. For Patna, young raider Guman Singh was the top scorer with 11 points but his efforts went in vain.
1. Bengaluru Bulls thrashes title challengers Dabang Delhi 61-22
Bengaluru Bulls was goring with full force at one stage of the season before suffering consecutive losses and the PKL 6 champions inflicted the heaviest loss of the season on favorites Dabang Delhi defeating them by a 61-22 scoreline.
The Pawan Sehrawat-led side defeated Dabang Delhi by a 39-point margin with Pawan's tally of 27 raid points dwarfing the opposition team's overall tally of 22 points.
The Bulls' defense supported their skipper aptly as the trio of Saurabh Nandal, Mahender Singh, and Aman picked up 3 tackle points apiece inflicting five 'All-Outs' on the Delhi-based franchise.
This article is written by Mohak Arora, Sports expert, Parimatch brand.
