Pro Kabaddi: Haryana Steelers overturn UP Yoddha’s lead to win 36-29
Haryana Steelers managed to overturn U.P. Yoddha's lead in the final minutes of their VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 5 match to clinch a 36-29 victory at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday.
It was Vikas Kandola's heroics that snatched the match away from Lucknow, with the teenager's 9 points proving instrumental in the two All-Outs inflicted on the home side, both in the second half.
10th-minute onwards, the Yoddha kept themselves in the lead, though the gap fluctuated, until it all fell apart in the final four minutes courtesy of Kandola's mounting raid points and captain Surender Nada's strong defence that saw him collect a match-high of 7 tackle points.
In the first half, the Yoddha did well mainly on account of Rishank Devadiga, who led the raiding with 5 points, and Sagar Krishna, who collected 5 tackle points. The half eventually ended 15-12 in the home team’s favour.
Nitin Tomar was surprisingly out of touch throughout the match, collecting only three touch points. He was caught out five times in all. But what made things worse for the Yoddha in the second half was Devadiga losing his touch, and that took the sting out of the team’s attack.
While Tomar failed to fire, his counterpart Nada delivered when it mattered most. His seven-point haul included a High 5 and he was key in inflicting the first All-Out on U.P. Yoddha.
Haryana, who have jumped up from fifth to second in the Zone A table with this win, will now face Dabang Delhi K.C. next on August 23, while U.P. Yoddha will hope to give home fans something to cheer when they face off with Jaipur Pink Panthers on Sunday.
Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.