Top 6 Teams Are Ready For The Knockout Stage in PKL 8
Kabaddi’s new avatar ‘Pro Kabaddi League’ was back on 22nd December 2021. Due to Covid pandemic the league was delayed by two years. After 132 matches in 60 days we have got six teams which will fight for the trophy. For the first time triple header matches were played in PKL.
The final match of PKL season 8 will be played on 25th Februay 2022. Before the playoffs matches takes place from tomorrow, a press conference was held live on Pro Kabaddi League official Facebook page & YouTube channel. League commissioner Anupam Goswami was also present.
All six teams captains which includes Prashanth Kumar Rai (Patna Pirates), Joginder Singh Narwal (Dabang Delhi K.C.), Nitesh Kumar (UP Yoddha), Pawan Kumar Sehrawat (Bengaluru Bulls), Sunil Kumar (Gujarat Giants) & Nitin Tomar (Puneri Paltan) were also present.
League Commissioner Anupam Goswami said that, it was an exceptional story this time. There were exceptional circumstances for which sports around the world, country has been struggling to resume through a point. There were two objectives.
First was we were conducting the league in very challenging times, we had to do it with complete safety, continued good health of our teams, And the second was we were going to not dilute the quality of competition. We did not reduce the number of matches.
It was a very competitive league. Final ranking of top six teams got settled yesterday after the last match result. The sport has got huge effect on public sentiment. League round of season 8 has shown a great proof of positivity for Indian sports as such and the country as a whole.
When asked about team’s performance to Patna Pirates skipper Prashanth Kumar Rai he said that, we will play final match on 25th Feb. We have been consistent with our game. We topped the point’s chart. Our defense & offense both have worked well for us. Our target is just two steps away.
Commenting on team’s journey UP Yoddha skipper Nitesh Kumar said that, earlier Pardeep Narwal was not in form due to injury. But since past few matches he has been back in form. Our youngsters have played really well.
Bengaluru Bulls skipper Pawan Kumar Sehrawat replied when he was asked about the challenge from Gujarat in eliminator, he said that Breaking Gujarat defense will be huge challenge. The team has played really well. Girish, Shunil, Parvesh, Hadi have done well in defense. Their raiders also played well.
Joginder Narwal, captain of Dabang Delhi K.C. said that, team has done well in the league stage. We had seniors & juniors in the team. Senior players guide junior players really well. That is why we are here. We well hope to keep going.
Gujarat Giants skipper Sunil Kumar while commenting over match against Bengaluru bulls said that, it will be a big challenge to stop Pawan Kumar Sehrawat. He is world’s best raider. Then there is Bharat who steps out on occasions. So the match will be competitive.
Puneri Paltan captain Nitin Tomar was asked about match against UP Yoddha. He said that, their taem has Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill & other raiders. They are doing well. It will be challenging for us to stop their offense & defense. We will give our best.
The playoffs matches will begin from tomorrow. In the first eliminator match UP Yoddha will be up against Puneri Paltan at 7.30 pm. The winner of this match will play Patna Pirates on 23rd February in the semi-final.
In the second eliminator match, Gujarat Giants will take on Bengaluru Bulls at 8.30 pm. The winner of this match will play Dabang Delhi K.C. on 23rd February in the semi-final.