Pro Kabaddi: Telugu Titans overcome debutant Tamil Thalaivas 32-27

RAHUL CHAUDHARI-led Telugu Titans overcame debutants Tamil Thalaivas 32-27 in the inaugural match of the Pro Kabaddi season 5 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. 

Although the game started off with a low tempo, where both teams were raiding cautiously, Rahul Chaudhari managed crucial raid points to try and maintain a lead since the initial minutes of the game. Thalaivas’ left corner defender C. Arun displayed some fine tackling and also brought scored level at 8-8. However, the hosts made consecutive successful raids and tackles to inflict an all-out in the 16th minute and take a 14-8 lead. At half time, the Titans led 18-11.

In the second half, the Titans kept the pressure on as raider Nilesh Salunke and veteran all-rounder Rakesh Kumar carried out successful raids. Chaudhari reached the first Super 10 and as the Thalaivas had no answer for the Titans’ charge. The Tamil outfit tried to make a comeback courtesy of Prapanjan’s valiant efforts but had little time left on the clock. Despite losing, the visitors grabbed a point for keeping the deficit below eight points. 

Telugu Titans Playing 7:

Rakesh Kumar
Farhad Milaghardan
Rohit Rana
Nilesh Salunkhe
Rahul Chaudhari
Sombir 
Vishal Bharadwaj

Substitutes:

Mohsen Maghsoudlou
Vinod Kumar
Vinoth Kumar 
Vikas
Munish

Tamil Thalaivas Playing 7: 

K. Prapanjan
Vijin Thangadurai
C. Arun
 Vineet Kumar
Amit Hooda
Anil Kumar
Ajay Thakur

Substitutes:

Dong Geon Lee
M. Thivakaran
D. Pradap
Anil Kumar
Vijay Kumar

Le Panga:

Vishal Bharadwaj - The young all-rounder recorded the first High 5 of the season. He seemed like a surprise pick in the playing XI but made the most of the opportunity by executing successful tackles.

Rahul Chaudhari - The poster boy of kabaddi took control of the game every time he took the mat to raid. Chaudhari made 20 raids, out of which nine were successful and six were empty. 

No Panga:

Ajay Thakur - A lot was expected from the Thalaivas skipper but he has a subdued day at work. Thakur took the mat to raid 17 times but managed only six points. He made four unsuccessful raids as he executed two bonus pts and four touch points.
 

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