Playing catch up for most of the match, Dabang Delhi managed to tie 32-32 with Gujarat Fortunegiants in a Zone A match of the sixth season of the ProKabaddi League (PKL) at the Nehru indoor stadium here on Tuesday.
In fact, Delhi first drew level 29-29 with four minutes left.
While Naveen Kumar’s raid got the first point for Delhi, Gujarat’s Prapanjan returned the favour with a two-point raid. From 2-1 up, Gujarat stretched the lead to 9-2 when it inflicted an all-out, putting out Delhi’s last raider Rajesh Narwal.
Delhi’s experienced Shabeer Bappu seemed to struggle while Gujarat appeared to be defending well.
Bappu was floored as Gujarat made it 13-7.
The side led 17-12 at the break.
Pulling ahead
On resumption, Gujarat continued to score with ease and went on to lead 21-15.
It made a super tackle, three defenders putting out Naveen Kumar, to get to 23-18.
The 18-year-old Naveen had looked off-colour, with five empty and four unsuccessful raids, until then.
Trailing 19-24, Delhi turned it around to close the margin to 27-29, probably helped by the discussions in the four short official timeouts — one each when approximately 10, 9, 8, and 6 minutes were left in the contest.
The result:
Zone A: Dabang Delhi 32 (Chandran Ranjit 10) tied with Gujarat Fortunegiants 32 (Sachin 7).
Points: Delhi (3), Gujarat (3).
