Jaipur Pink Panthers powered into the ProKabaddi League final with an easy 37-18 victory over Patna Pirates in the first semifinal at the NSCI’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stadium here on Friday.
Skipper Jasvir Singh set the tone with sharp raids, while teammate Rohit Rana picked up the cue and responded with some brilliant catching.
Dalal got Pirates off to a rousing start, twisting away from three catchers. Jasvir proved his class with a successful raid and then took the lead in the defence as Panthers overturned a 1-4 deficit into a 10-5 advantage after a lona.
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Panthers built on their lead with superb catching, Rohit Rana outstanding on this count. Rana, playing with a protective band around his jaw, displayed his strength by trapping India captain Rakesh Kumar with an audacious move near the centre-line. Pirates trailed 7-20 at half-time. Rakesh’s desperate attempts to trap the Panthers raiders did not help matters and the ‘men in pink’ kept widening the gap with a combination of individual brilliance by defenders and sensible offence. The Patna captain was outclassed in attacks too. Pirates’ troubles were unending even during the closing stages as their captain lost his balance and stepped into the lobby area.
Jasvir, his counterpart in the Jaipur ranks, piled on the agony with confident raids as Panthers cruised into the final.