Pro Kabaddi League, Eliminator 1 LIVE Score, Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Patna Pirates - PKL 10 Live Updates & Commentary

Full-Time
Patna Pirates 37 - 35 Dabang Delhi KC

Spare a thought for Ashu Malik before delving into the specifics of this match. The Delhi captain gave his all in a superhuman performance tonight, scoring 19 raid points, and getting tackled only once throughout, only to see his side knocked out of PKL 10 by the finest of margins.

An absolutely fascinating game of kabaddi filled with twists and turns saved its most compelling passage of play for the last two minutes. The scoreline was 29-31 against the Pirates, but Ashu Malik getting self-out in a successful tackle for Delhi turned the game on its head, and after taking the lead, Patna showed remarkable composure to hold on.

In a game dominated by raiders, the only difference between the two sides was that Patna had points coming in from four sources - Sachin, Sudhakar M, Manjeet, and the substitute Sandeep Kumar, with all of them putting in at least one successful raid in a high-pressure situation, whereas for Delhi, Meetu and Manjeet scored a combined total of one raid point.

The momentum kept swinging in this match, with Patna taking the early lead and Delhi hitting back strongly, with both sides going in almost level at half-time, and since then, no one took a lead of more than three points, with the Pirates clinching it at the end, and progressing through to the semi-finals, where they'll take on the Puneri Paltan.

Up next, we have another huge clash as the Gujarat Giants and Haryana Steelers face off in the 2nd Eliminator, and it promises to be another entertaining encounter. Click here to switch to the complete coverage of that contest as I, Shreyas, bow out for the night.

2nd Half, 40'
Patna Pirates 37 - 35 Dabang Delhi KC

It's Patna who hold their nerve and set up a Semi-Final date with the Puneri Paltan!

So much happens in the remaining time left as Ashu Malik is gifted a point by Ankit in a 3-second raid, and that puts the Pirates in a spot of bother as the deficit is down to one, and with 33 seconds on the clock, Delhi will definitely have time for another raid after theirs.

However, Sandeep Kumar bravely goes for it, and nails the reverse toe touch on Ashish to deliver a clutch point for Patna.

They wisely give Ashu a point and send him back to his own half, and in the final raid, Manjeet easily gets a touch point on Vishal Bhardwaj, with Delhi playing a really high-line of defense to bring to an end another humdinger between these two sides.

2nd Half, 39:24'
Patna Pirates 35 - 33 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh, well done Sandeep Kumar! Toys with Ashish and draws a weak ankle hold attempt that he gets away from with ease.

Delhi now has a do-or-die raid, and Meetu has to go in for them. He tries the bonus, isn't confident and goes back in, but heads right into Krishan Dhull's tackle, with the rest of the defense pouncing.

Sachin completes the all-out, and Patna now lead by two with around 36 seconds left on the clock.

Another timeout is called, and despite that raid, Patna have a chance, and it's only because Ashu Malik is now back on the bench. Delhi still only have three on the mat, and if one of Patna's raiders can deliver, this could go really down to the wire.

2nd Half, 39'
Patna Pirates 30 - 33 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh, that could be that for Delhi! Sachin Tanwar against a 3-man Delhi defense, and Yogesh goes in with a stellar double-knee hold to absolutely immobilize the Pirates' captain to complete a second straight Super Tackle.

However, Ashu Malik loses his footing and steps out of bounds, and he's also declared out. However, Delhi contend that he only went out after the tackle is initiated and review the decision, but the on-field call remains.

Exactly two minutes left on the clock, and two points separating the two sides. 

2nd Half, 38'
Patna Pirates 29 - 31 Dabang Delhi KC

Delhi reduced to two, but all Ashu Malik can manage is a bonus point. Patna have a real chance at an all-out, but Sandeep Kumar rushes in and makes a mistake, with his momentum taking him straight into the hands of Manjeet, whose double knee hold roots him to the spot.

That Super Tackle gives Delhi a two-point lead as the teams call a timeout.

2nd Half, 37'
Patna Pirates 29 - 28 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh, big error from Vishal Bhardwaj that as he mistimes the ankle hold on Sandeep Kumar. Importantly for the Pirates, Sachin Tanwar is revived as a result. 

Ohh, Sandeep Kumar making a real difference here! He evades the challenge from the left corner before single-handedly over-powering Vikrant in the right corner to find his way to the mid-line.

2nd Half, 35'
Patna Pirates 26 - 28 Dabang Delhi KC

Delhi try to slow the pace of the game, and that results in a do-or-die raid in a 1v5 situation for them.

It's Meetu who's sent in, and Krishan Dhull is assured with his back hold converted into a double thigh hold to bring the raider down.

Patna also have a do-or-die raid, however, and Vishal Bhardwaj appears to have finally found his mojo, executing a very difficult ankle hold mid-kick from Manjeet to preserve Delhi's lead.

Sandeep Kumar, Patna's impact raider, comes on now.

2nd Half, 32'
Patna Pirates 25 - 27 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh, strong resumption from Delhi here! Ashu Malik gets a bonus point to get them going before Sachin Tanwar is dashed off court by Vishal Bhardwaj, who finally gets one right tonight after five unsuccessful tackles.

Patna has worked as a unit so far in the raiding department, whereas it's been all Ashu Malik for Delhi so far. If Patna can manage to send Ashu back to the bench, they could have a real opening here, and that's what their discussion was about in the timeout.

2nd Half, 30'
Patna Pirates 25 - 25 Dabang Delhi KC

Manjeet quickly gets a bonus point for the Pirates before Delhi's Manjeet is sent in during a do-or-die raid. Against a 4-man Patna defense after not scoring a single point tonight, Manjeet looks to be out of ideas, and eventually, Ankit pounces with the rest of the defense quick to join in support.

Manjeet also coming good for the Pirates now, using all his strength to swivel and turn out of Yogesh's block to level the scores right as the referees blow the whistle to call a timeout.

Once again, we're level with nothing to separate the two sides, and a close finish is all but guaranteed. Who will handle the nerves better in these final ten minutes?

2nd Half, 28'
Patna Pirates 22 - 25 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh, Patna is shooting themselves in the foot here, and the referees adjudge Sudhakar to have stepped into the lobby without a touch after conferring for an official timeout.

2nd Half, 27'
Patna Pirates 22 - 24 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh no, Meetu's night hits another low, and this time, he steps out of bounds in a do-or-die raid. There's absolutely been no support for Ashu from Meetu and Manjeet.

At the other end, Sachin Tanwar is confident he has a touch on Himmat Antil in a do-or-die raid, but to his dismay, the point isn't awarded.

He reviews the decision confidently, but unfortunately for him, he claims the touch on the defender's knee, and the replays look inconclusive, resulting in an unsuccessful review. Since it's a do-or-die raid, Patna's best raider has to visit the bench.

2nd Half, 24'
Patna Pirates 21 - 23 Dabang Delhi KC

Ashu Malik is turning up the heat here! It's another Super Raid for arguably the best player this season, and he executes the perfect dubki to once again bail Delhi out of trouble, wiping out Patna's cover combination and the left corner in the process.

Sudhakar M then pulls one back, getting away well from the left cover Vikrant's attempted challenge.

Ashu Malik has done incredibly well here, scoring 15 of his side's 23 points. He needs more support from his side here.

2nd Half, 22'
Patna Pirates 20 - 20 Dabang Delhi KC

Patna level scores immediately after half-time, swiveling around the attempted challenge from substitute defender Nitin Chandel.

1st Half, 20'
Patna Pirates 19 - 20 Dabang Delhi KC

Ohh Sudhakar M, you beauty! Back-to-back multi-point raids for the left raider to put Patna back in the lead!

This time, he escapes from Yogesh's challenge, and is slippery as an eel, eluding Vikrant's grasp as he finds his way to the mid-line.

Patna could've gone into half-time with a lead, but in the final raid of the half, Sudhakar enters the lobby without a touch while attempting an escape in a Super Tackle situation, putting Delhi back in the lead as the whistle blows for half-time.

We've had an absolute roller-coaster of a contest so far. 

Don't go anywhere, the second half is coming right up!

1st Half, 19'
Patna Pirates 17 - 18 Dabang Delhi KC

Ashu Malik continues the carnage with a two-point raid immediately after the all-out. This time, he gets away from Ankit's weak ankle hold, also getting Mayur Kadam en-route to the mid-line.

However, Sudhakar M, who we haven't seen much of tonight, gets the Pirates back in it with a 2-point raid of his own. 

Once again, it's Vishal Bhardwaj with the error, and Manjeet also comes in with the support, but Sudhakar uses his strength to get his hand just past the mid-line.

1st Half, 17'
Patna Pirates 15 - 16 Dabang Delhi KC

Super 10 for Ashu Malik in a 4-point raid that has completely changed the complexion of this match!

It's a 1v5 situation for Ashu, and the tackle initially comes from Ankit in the left corner, with the right corner, cover, and left-in Sachin Tanwar coming in to support. Ashu finds the gap in between and seals the escape in what is a clutch raid from a clutch player.

Patna down to one now.

And Delhi get the lead immediately. Manjeet the last man standing for the Pirates, and while he's given the bonus, Yogesh doesn't mess up about with his block, bringing down the raider who attempts a jump.

Delhi get the all-out now and are back in the lead.

1st Half, 14'
Patna Pirates 14 - 9 Dabang Delhi KC

Ashu has completely destroyed the Pirates' confidence in defense, and is making them dance to his tunes. So unpredictable and quick are his movements that Babu is confounded and makes a silly error to concede a point.

Sachin then has to face a do-or-die raid, but he continues delivering the points, doing well to get away from Yogesh's attempted challenge.

It's basically Ashu vs Sachin at the moment, and the former gets away with another point, this time at Mayur Kadam's expense.

1st Half, 12'
Patna Pirates 13 - 7 Dabang Delhi KC

Ashu Malik has to deliver for Delhi to quickly cut down on this Patna lead, and that's what he does with a well-disguised back kick on Babu M. Sachin Tanwar strikes back immediately, once again toying with Vishal Bhardwaj, drawing the error from the left corner, who has had a poor night so far.

Ashu follows it up, this time with a diving hand touch on the right corner Krishan Dhull.

1st Half, 10'
Patna Pirates 12 - 5 Dabang Delhi KC

Dabang Delhi is on the back-foot now, and it has to be said, this looks worse than Patna's situation.

Manjeet then forces an error from the makeshift right corner in an innocuous 1v4 raid before Delhi's Manjeet is done in by a superb combination tackle initiated by Krishan Dhull and finished off by Ankit.

Down to two, Sachin Tanwar goes in to raid, and Vishal Bhardwaj dives in early and gets a good grip on the raider's legs, but despite Vikrant also coming around in support, Sachin is lightning-quick to get away from their grasp, find an escape route and race back to the mid-line to get the Pirates' first all-out of the match right at the stroke of the timeout.

It's a 7-point lead for the Pirates midway through the 1st half.

Delhi review for a bonus point, but it's unsuccessful. FYI, in the playoffs, a team will get one unsuccessful review per half.

1st Half, 8'
Patna Pirates 6 - 5 Dabang Delhi KC

The Pirates pull into the lead with a superb stretch of play across do-or-die raids. First, it's Delhi's turn to raid, and with Ashu off-court, Meetu Sharma takes the responsibility, but Ankit's powerful dash completely blindsides him.

Manjeet then goes into raid for the Pirates, and he takes on the opposition's best defender Yogesh, and successfully emerges with a point in a do-or-die raid.

1st Half, 6'
Patna Pirates 4 - 5 Dabang Delhi KC

Patna in peril, going down to three, but their captain Sachin Tanwar bails them out with an effortless hand touch on the left corner Vishal Bhardwaj. They then capture Ashu Malik in a 1v4 situation, with the substitute Sanjay putting in the tackle.

Sachin is then brought down by the first time tonight, with the Delhi left cover Mohit delivering the goods.

1st Half, 4'
Patna Pirates 2 - 4 Dabang Delhi KC

Yogesh Dahiya strikes with an outstanding improvised back-hold on Manjeet to open Delhi's account for the night. That seems to really liven up the side as Meetu Sharma soon draws an error from Ankit in a do-or-die raid to level the scores.

Ashu Malik then opens his account with a multi-point raid, executing the running hand touch on Krishan before evading the dash from Mayur Kadam.

Breakneck start to this match so far.

1st Half, 2'
Patna Pirates 2 - 0 Dabang Delhi KC

What a start that is from Sachin Tanwar! The Patna captain gets his side off to a brilliant start, picking up a multi-point raid first up. The challenge comes in from the right cover, with the left corner also coming in to support, but just when the defense thought they had him, Sachin used his height to get his arm past the mid-line.

Teams:

Dabang Delhi K.C.: 
Starters: Ashu Malik (c), Mohit, Vikrant, Meetu Sharma, Manjeet, Yogesh, Vishal Bhardwaj. 
Substitutes: Manu, Ashish Sangwan, Himmat Antil, Ashish, Akash Prasher, Felix Li, Nitin Chandel. 

Patna Pirates: 
Starters: Sachin (c), Mayur Kadam, Babu M, Manjeet, Sudhakar M, Krishan, Ankit. 
Substitutes: Manish, T Yuvaraj, Sandeep Kumar, Sanjay, Arpit Saroha, Zhang-Wei Chen, Rohit. 

Hello and Welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the tenth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. We have for you the playoffs of PKL 10, and first up, it's the Patna Pirates who take on Dabang Delhi KC in the first Eliminator for a spot in the Semifinal against the Puneri Paltan.

Dabang Delhi KC finished 3rd on the points table, and while they couldn't quite close the gap between themselves and the top two, they had a really good group-stage, recovering from Naveen Kumar's injury early on in the season. 

Ashu Malik has been in sensational form and has led from the front, while Yogesh in the right corner has shown immense maturity in his debut season. Meetu Sharma has failed to justify his hefty price tag while it will be interesting to see whether Manjeet will return today. 

The Pirates saw their share of ups and downs, but their biggest up was a 7-match unbeaten run towards the end of the season, which saw them clinch the spot in the playoffs. Despite regular captain Neeraj Kumar getting injured, Sachin Tanwar has stepped up well as the leader of the pack.

As for the Pirates, Sachin has been their lead raider. Manjeet has not been able to provide much assistance but the likes of Sudhakar M and Sandeep Kumar have proved to be able second-fiddles, with their speed. 

Both meetings between these sides in the group stages were absolute thrillers, and we can expect a similar contest this time around as well. Which side will emerge on top and move on to the semifinals? Stick around to find out!