Haryana Steelers win maiden PKL title after big win over Patna Pirates
Pune, Dec 29: Haryana Steelers produced an outstanding display on the mat to beat Patna Pirates 32-23 and clinch their maiden Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) crown here on Sunday.
With show-stopper Mohammadreza Shadloui in full flow, Haryana Steelers won the final with consummate ease.
For Haryana Steelers, Shivam Patare scored nine points, Shadloui seven and Vinay added six more.
The champions were awarded Rs 3 crore, while the runners-up got Rs 1.8 crore.
Haryana Steelers were off to a quick start, picking up the first few points and the lead in the early exchanges.
Devank and Ankit put up a dogged fight Patna Pirates, but Haryana Steelers kept dictating terms and controlling the tempo, with Shivam Patare and Shadloui doing the heavy lifting.
Haryana Steelers' defence, led by Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal, showed why it considered one of the best units in the competition, as it made scoring extremely difficult for Patna Pirates.
However, as the half progressed, Gurdeep and Sudhakar brought Patna Pirates within touching distance of their opponents.
Devank and Ayan then levelled things up, before Shivam Patare and Vinay put Haryana Steelers in the box seat.
At the half-time break, Haryana Steelers led 15-12.
The second half started off sluggishly, with Patna Pirates picking up the first points through Sudhakar.
Haryana Steelers did well to keep Devank and Ayan quiet, but the three-time champions fought back.
However, Shadloui kept scoring crucial points, as did Jaideep, which kept Haryana Steelers in the hunt for their first PKL title.
Close to the half-hour mark, Haryana Steelers had a three-point lead, which had the game on a knife's edge.
After that, Haryana Steelers turned on the screws, landing the first 'all out' of the game. Shadloui was in his elements, as Haryana Steelers stormed to a nine-point lead.
In the final minutes, Haryana Steelers managed the game and the clock brilliantly to slam the door shut on their opponents.
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We could pass a law here that makes Bumrah bowl left-handed: Australian PM Anthony Albanese
Sydney, Jan 1: Such has been the impact of Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar trophy that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jokingly suggested a law that forces India's pace spearhead to bowl "left-handed or off one step" against the home team.
The right-handed Bumrah, considered as the world's best fast bowler across formats, has caused plenty of trouble for the Australian batters and has taken 30 wickets in four Tests.
Albanese, who hosted the Indian and Australian players here on Wednesday ahead of the decisive fifth Test, spoke glowingly of Bumrah.
"We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step. Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting,” Albanese said in a lighter vein, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
"The Australian and Indian teams have already given us an incredible summer of cricket," Albanese later wrote on social media.
"When the fifth test starts on Friday, the SCG will be a sea of pink in support of the great work of the McGrath Foundation. Go Australia!," he added.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on behalf of the Indian team.
“Australia is a beautiful country to travel but a tough place to tour. Crowds have been absolutely amazing. We’ve got another Test match to go. Hopefully we can entertain the crowd,” he said.
Australian captain Pat Cummins played a big part in ensuring a 2-1 series lead for his team going into Sydney.
Reflecting on the last week, he said: “The last week in Melbourne is right up there is one of the best Test matches we’ve been involved with,” Cummins said. “Over the five days, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Looking forward to this week. It’s a decider. It’s our chance to win the series. Can’t wait.”
The outcome of the Sydney Test will determine if the hosts regain the trophy after more than a decade.
In Melbourne, Bumrah became the fastest Indian pacer to 200 wickets, achieving the feat in his 44th game.
