Pardeep inspires U.P. Yoddha to victory against Dabang Delhi

A 14-point match-winning performance from Pardeep Narwal helped U.P. Yoddha dominate Dabang Delhi 44-28. The team climbed to third on the points table with the win, only two behind Delhi, who have played a game fewer. 

In the opening few minutes, the game was a back-and-forth affair, as both teams matched each other point-for-point to maintain parity on the scoreboard. U.P. threatened to pull away a couple of times, but Delhi managed to peg them back, as the game remained evenly poised at 10-10. 

A stroke of fortune for U.P. saw them earn three points before their defence pinned down Vijay to reduce Delhi to two players on the mat. Pardeep managed to escape a tackle attempt from Ashu Malik, leaving Delhi with only Sandeep Narwal on the mat. The veteran all-rounder picked up a bonus before being pinned down by U.P.’s defence, which inflicted an All Out on Delhi on the stroke of halftime.

U.P. extended their lead to seven early in the second half as Pardeep and the defence worked in tandem to help their side stay comfortably ahead on the scoreboard. Midway through the second half, two touchpoints for the Record Breaker saw Delhi reduced to a solitary man on the mat. Vijay picked up a bonus before being tackled by Nitesh Kumar, as U.P. inflicted a second All-Out on Delhi to extend their lead to 10.

Pardeep continued to add to his tally while the defence dominated Delhi’s raiders, as U.P. embarked on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 15 and closed in on another All Out. Vijay tried to revive a teammate or two but was instead met by the entire U.P. defence deep into their half, which inflicted a third All Out on Delhi and saw their deficit balloon to 17.

Pardeep added another point to his tally in the final minute to cap off a sensational night for him and U.P. 

Top Performers 

U.P. Yoddha

Best Raider – Pardeep Narwal (14 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Shubham (4 Tackle Points)

Dabang Delhi

Best Raider – Vijay (8 Raid Points)

Best Defender – Joginder Narwal (2 Tackle Points)