Vizag, September 1: UP Yoddhas stormed to a commanding 34-31 victory over the Patna Pirates at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 12 here, tonight.

The Yoddhas, aided by a strategic raiding blueprint and a vividly solid defensive framework, overcame the opposition in a tremendous second-half outing that saw them bag their second successive win this season.

Raiders Bhavani Rajput and Shivam Choudhary chipped in with five points each, but it was the 33rd-minute reintroduction of Gagan Gowda that stole the show for the Yoddhas in the final stint of the proceedings.

Gowda amassed seven points, helping the Jasveer Singh-coached unit build a robust lead over the Pirates before the proceedings rounded off.

UP Yoddhas trailed by 19-13 at the end of the first half, but a timely re-gathering of plans propelled them to an emphatic triumph, signifying their resolve, resilience, and resistance to a spirited opponent.

The Yoddhas registered a 38.1% raid success rate and 42.86% strike rate on that front. Both teams had 16 successful raids. It was, hence, the defence that managed to pip the Pirates, with 12 successful tackles at a success rate of 46.15%.

They secured eight tackle points in the second essay of the encounter, as opposed to Patna’s two, and this was made possible by the captain and vice-captain duo of Sumit Sangwan and Ashu Singh, respectively.

Both of them notched five points each, and a solitary super tackle pushed them to edge ahead, in what eventually ended up transpiring into a clash of fine margins.

The Yoddhas also employed a calculated strategy in the do-or-die raids, with Bhavani and Gagan bagging crucial points in a couple of them in the opening stages of the second half.

If the first win against the Telugu Titans displayed the sheer quality brimming through the UP Yoddhas roster, this one against the Patna Pirates is a reminder that their players blend a tough character with promising talent, traits that promise to take them a long way this season.

UP Yoddhas are set to face the Haryana Steelers on September 5, whereas Patna Pirates will lock horns with the Jaipur Pink Panthers on September 2.

Patna Pirates 31 – 34 UP Yoddhas