PKL 9: Sushil, Rakesh Narwal help Haryana Steelers sign off with big win against Tamil Thalaivas

Hyderabad, Dec 10 (IANS) Substitute Sushil and Rakesh Narwal led the Haryana Steelers' charge against the Tamil Thalaivas as they brought down the curtains on their campaign in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 with a victory.

The Haryana Steelers defeated the Tamil Thalaivas by a scoreline of 61-38 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Saturday.

Taking the chance to use the platform the PKL provides, the Haryana Steelers sported the phone number 1091 number on their jerseys to drive awareness for the helpline set up by Haryana Government and Police exclusively for women to report domestic violence.

The Tamil Thalaivas were out of the blocks quickest, picking up a 2-0 lead in the early exchanges before Vinay helped the Haryana Steelers turn things around with a flurry of raids. The Tamil Thalaivas, however, stayed within touching distance for a bit, before Rakesh Narwal inflicted an All-Out, giving the Haryana Steelers some breathing space.

For the Tamil Thalaivas though Visvanath was scoring crucial points, even as the Haryana Steelers continued to build on their lead. As the game progressed, the Haryana Steelers picked up momentum, with the defensive and attacking units syncing up well. By the time the players went into the half-time break, the Haryana Steelers led the Tamil Thalaivas 28-12.

Along expected lines, the Haryana Steelers kicked off the second half strongly, picking up the first five points to further stretch their lead, before the Tamil Thalaivas got one of their own.

Rakesh had taken charge in attack, and soon into the second half, he was marching on toward his Super 10. Sushil and Naveen Kundu were providing Rakesh with ample support as well, helping the Haryana Steelers pile on the pressure on their opponents.

Sushil had picked up the baton from Rakesh as the Haryana Steelers reached the half-century mark with just over five minutes left in the game. In the final minutes, the Tamil Thalaivas upped the ante, but a comeback was never on the cards as the Haryana Steelers bagged a huge win in the end.