Jaipur Pink Panthers claimed their second Pro Kabaddi League title after getting the better of Puneri Paltan 33-29 in a thrilling summit clash at the NSCI Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
With the victory, the Pink Panthers become only the second team, after three-time champions Patna Pirates, to win multiple titles.
Skipper Sunil Kumar led the Pink Panthers with six tackle points, which was the same number of points won by raiders V Ajith and Arjun Deshwal. Sunil was later adjudged the ‘most valuable player’ of the season.
Along with defenders Abhishek KS, Sahul Kumar and the season’s best defender Ankush Rathee, Sunil played a key role in stopping Pune’s gritty raiders Pankaj Mohite and Akash Shinde.
The clash started close, with both teams matching each other in terms of points scored. However, Ajith broke through the Pune defence towards the end of the first half. It was an effort that led the Pink Panthers to earn the only all-out of the match early in the second half.
From there on, the Jaipur-team did not give up the lead and continued to keep the young Pune team under huge pressure.
Eventually, they won the match and won the trophy for the first time since they won the inaugural edition in 2014.