Telugu Titans secured their place in Qualifier 2 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 after a commanding 46-39 victory over Patna Pirates at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, ending Patna’s eight-match winning streak.
The Titans will now face season 10 champions Puneri Paltan on Wednesday, with the winner earning a spot in the finals against Dabang Delhi K.C. on Friday.
Reflecting on the crucial victory, head coach Krishan Kumar Hooda said, “It was a do-or-die game for us, and the message to the team was to play in that spirit. I promised at the start of the season that we wouldn’t disappoint our fans. Time will tell who lifts the trophy, but we will give it our best shot.”
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Telugu Titans captain Vijay Malik echoed his coach’s sentiments: “We focused on playing our game. We’ve performed well throughout the tournament, and the goal was to keep building on that and continue winning.”
Emotionally reflecting on the team’s progress, Hooda added, “Qualifying for the playoffs after nine years is an incredible feeling. In previous seasons, teams often expected easy points against us, but this year, the players completely turned things around. It was hard not to be emotional.”
He credited the team’s improvement to the players’ determination, saying, “Last season, we narrowly missed out on the playoffs. This season, we changed that, thanks to the hard work of every player. It’s brilliant to witness, and I want to thank all of them.”
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Hooda also highlighted the role of senior players in guiding the younger ones: “Our team has performed well on both offense and defense. We have four NYPs playing alongside three senior players – Vijay, Bharat, and Shubham. This experienced trio has led us to the playoffs. Vijay, especially, has led from the front as captain.”
Bharat Hooda, who continued his sensational run in the tournament by scoring 23 points and reaching 200 raid points for the season, also acknowledged the senior players’ contributions.
“Our captain ensures everyone stays focused. We follow his lead. In the game, Patna’s defense was under pressure, and Vijay gave me the freedom to keep the momentum going,” Bharat said.
He added, “We worked hard in pre-season with our coach, and the franchise supported us throughout. Our seniors – Vijay and Shubham – constantly motivated us and engaged with us during practice and matches. The results on the mat reflect everyone’s hard work.”
The duo of Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda has been exceptional this season. Krishan Hooda shared insight into their bond off the mat: “Vijay has played a huge role in Bharat’s performances. Bharat is a hard-working raider, and with his captain’s support, top performances are inevitable. Their partnership is inseparable, much like the iconic duo in the movie Sholay. Under Vijay’s captaincy and Bharat’s leadership as lead raider, the team is thriving.”
Hooda also praised Shubham Shinde, saying, “He has been leading the defense tirelessly, even when mistakes happen. The three seniors taking responsibility to guide the younger players has worked brilliantly for us.”
Looking ahead to the clash with table-toppers Puneri Paltan in Qualifier 2, Bharat Hooda said, “We treat every game as a challenge. The opponent doesn’t matter. We’ll give our all against Puneri Paltan, just as we would against Dabang Delhi K.C. Our aim is to win the title, and we’ll leave no stone unturned.”