Bengal Warriors defeated Puneri Paltan 25-19 in the Inter Zone Wildcard Match of Vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 5. Bengal Warriors’ defence laid the foundation of the victory, as they scored 13 tackle points. Shrikant Tewthia scored six tackle points for Bengal Warriors, while Maninder Singh scored five raid points. Deepak Hooda scored seven points for Puneri Paltan, but didn’t get enough support from his fellow raiders. Bengal Warriors are on top of the table in Zone B, with 69 points from 20 matches. Puneri Paltan are third in Zone A with 58 points from 15 matches.
Both teams were cautious in their approach and it was a low scoring first half. With 15 minutes gone, both teams were tied at 5-5. Bengal Warriors went into the break leading 9-8.
Puneri Paltan went ahead in the 27th minute as they led 12-10. Bengal Warriors forced a super tackle in the same minute to level the match at 12-12. Shrikant Tewthia got a high five in the 30th minute as Bengal Warriors led 14-12.
It was a cagey affair as both teams played on do-or-die raids. Puneri Paltan leveled the match at 15-15 in the 34th minute. Vinod Kumar scored with a two-point raid in the 36th minute to give Bengal Warriors 18-15 lead.
Maninder Singh scored with a two-point raid in the 37th minute as Bengal Warriors inflicted an all out to lead 23-15. Bengal Warriors kept their nerve in the final two minutes of the match as they won 25-19.
