Mumbai: Day 3 of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 Playoffs delivered high-octane drama as Dabang Delhi K.C. clinched a riveting 6–4 tiebreaker win over Puneri Paltan in Qualifier 1 after the teams were tied 34–34 at the end of regulation time. Meanwhile, the Patna Pirates continued their impressive run with a commanding 46–37 victory against the Bengaluru Bulls in Eliminator 2. Speaking on ‘KBD Live’, JioStar expert Rishank Devadiga analysed the day’s matches and highlighted the standout performances of Dabang Delhi K.C. raider Neeraj Narwal and Patna Pirates raider Ayan Lohchab.
Speaking on ‘KBD Live’, JioStar expert Rishank Devadiga spoke about the Qualifier 1 clash between Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C.: “This was expected. Whenever these two teams face each other, we witness such electrifying contests. Even during the pre-show, it was predicted that this game might end in a tie, and that’s exactly what happened. In the tiebreaker, luck completely favoured Dabang Delhi. After Aslam Inamdar was tackled, Puneri Paltan came under immense pressure, and Delhi seized the momentum to take the match in their favour. When Aslam came in for the third raid, he made a costly mistake. After that, Delhi didn’t falter and showed great composure throughout. In the end, had Ashu Malik been tackled, we might have witnessed a golden raid scenario for the second time between these two teams.”
On Neeraj Narwal’s performance: “When Ashu Malik got out twice, Puneri Paltan tried to capitalize and took complete control of the game. They even managed to build a healthy lead. But towards the end, when Dabang Delhi made their comeback, Neeraj Narwal was the key. He pulled off a super raid that completely changed the course of the match, pushing Delhi closer to the tiebreaker. I would also like to highlight Sandeep’s crucial tackle on Aditya Shinde, without which this match wouldn’t have ended in a tie. That was a game-changing moment. In the first three phases, Neeraj looked calm while Ashu carried the raiding load. But after Ashu’s injury, Neeraj stepped up and took full responsibility. His do-or-die super raid injected momentum into Dabang Delhi. In my view, Neeraj Narwal was the real hero of this match.”
On Ashu Malik’s injury: “An ankle injury is always tricky. It continues to cause discomfort until a player fully recovers. A 10–20 day recovery window is not enough; it typically requires a 2–3 month rehabilitation for complete healing. Despite this, Ashu’s performance deserves immense appreciation. Playing through pain, he understood the importance of this match and kept fighting until the end. With a few days left before the final, he will undergo focused rehab and recovery. I’m confident he’ll return with the same energy and determination.”
On Aslam Inamdar’s performance: “We often say that Aslam Inamdar is a captain who empowers his teammates, but this match was the day for Aslam, the raider to shine. Throughout the season, he has primarily played the role of a leader rather than a striker. If you are the team’s main raider, you must strike early and earn points right from the start. But Aslam’s footwork seemed slower, and he relied heavily on bonus points, something Dabang Delhi anticipated perfectly. In his first raid itself, when he went for a bonus, Saurabh Nandal tackled him brilliantly. Nandal had clearly studied Aslam’s patterns and executed his plans perfectly. While Aslam’s leadership and defensive coordination have improved, his raiding form is yet to return to its best. For Puneri Paltan to gain a real edge, Aslam must rediscover his sharpness as a raider.”
On Patna Pirates’ dominant win over Bengaluru Bulls: “The more we praise this Patna Pirates team, the less it feels. And special credit goes to Ayan Lohchab, who has been phenomenal once again. This player impressed us last season with his relentless raiding and continues that same form this year. He has been unstoppable. In this match, he scored 19 points in 23 raids, earning a Super 10 with ease. It looked effortless, almost like a warm-up for him. At the start of the season, Patna’s defense ranked 12th, and their lack of coordination cost them crucial matches. But now, their defense has found its rhythm and peak form. With Ayan’s consistency and the defensive unit stepping up, Patna Pirates are looking like a complete team once again.”
