Patna Pirates rode on an impressive performance from its defenders to thrash Tamil Thalaivas 52-24 in a ProKabaddi League Season 8 match here on Friday. It was a complete team performance from the Pirates with all three raiders contributing.
The 28-point victory margin will also boost its playoff hopes.
Three Pirates defenders — Mohammadreza Shadloui (6 tackle points), Neeraj Kumar (6) and Sunil (5) — picked up High 5s in a superlative show.
Coach Ram Mehar Singh's men had 21 tackle points on the night — Pirates’ best in the league — as they gave Thalaivas no chance to stage a fightback.
The opening few minutes were closely contested with teams’ defence looking strong. However, Pirates, on the mat after a nine-day break, looked fresh. The return of raider Monu Goyat and Sunil, on the right corner, also helped.