HYDERABAD: The four new teams of the Pro Kabaddi League have added spark to an already glittering tournament. On Tuesday, it was the turn of one of the new — Gujarat Fortunegiants — to be under the spotlight and they used it to perfection, outshining Dabang Delhi KC 26-20 on Tuesday to make a memorable debut.
With a pair of Iranians on both sides — Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mohajermighani (Fortunegiants) and Meraj Sheykh and Abolfazl Maghsodlou (Delhi) — the clash promised to be an intense affair. Right from the word go, Gujarat put their opponents in a stranglehold, which was difficult to break free from. Delhi had made a solid start to their league campaign two nights ago when they beat last year’s finalists Jaipur Pink Panthers. But, the defense of the team, which was labelled “the best in the league” by its coach Ramesh Bhendigiri, was found lagging on Tuesday.
Delhi captain Sheykh spent a major part of the encounter outside of the mat as he struggled to raid successfully even once. On the other hand, all the seven players of Gujarat scored at least one point. Not letting the slow start bother him, Gujarat captain Sukesh Hegde scored his first raid point in the dying minutes of the first half to open his account. With the half time score reading 15-5, the Fortunegiants looked set to bulldoze Delhi. But, some heroic raiding in the closing minutes of the game by Delhi raider R Sriram (5 points), mitigated the damage. “Our defense was not up to the mark today. And Meraj was not able to get into his groove. So, we had to keep his out. But, these things happen. He is a very good player and he will make a comeback,” Delhi coach Ramesh said.