Captain Meraj Sheykh’s phenomenal efforts went in vain as host Dabang Delhi lost by a single point to table-topper Patna Pirates here on Monday.
The result all but confirmed Patna’s spot in the semifinals while Delhi’s hopes suffered a big blow after the 32-31 loss.
Tied on points 31-31 till the final few seconds, Kashiling Adake’s final raid saw him go for a desperate bonus point but was tackled successfully. Till then it had been anybody’s game as the lead kept changing. And Sheykh was the man responsible for keeping Delhi in the game all through.
The stocky Iranian won points in both raids and tackling. Despite a lack of support from others, Sheykh almost single-handedly kept his team from being all out till the 29th minute. Often reduced to just two members and at times all alone, Sheykh earned raid points every time his team was in danger of being all out.
Adake was equally inspirational, equalling Sheykh for points earned through bonuses, touch points and tackling. It was ironical that Delhi’s best defence came from two of its frontline raiders. Unfortunately, the rest of the team was unable to raise their level.
The result: Patna Pirates 32 (Pardeep Narwal 9, Rajesh Mondal 7) bt Dabang Delhi 31 (Meraj Sheykh 11, Kashiling Adakae 11).
