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Puneri Paltan defeated Telugu Titans in Qualifier 2 of Pro Kabaddi 2025. They won 50-45 and clinched a spot in the final. The Paltan will meet Dabang Delhi in the title clash on Friday, October 31.
Puneri Paltan Head Coach Ajay Thakur reflected on the performance and expressed his satisfaction. He reckoned that it was a champion team that knew how to handle pressure, which made his job easier.
Notably, the Paltan won the title for the first time in Season 10, when they defeated the Haryana Steelers in the final.
"It is very satisfying. I think I would be the first player who retired and immediately came as a coach and made it to the final. These guys have a lot of discipline. They go to practice without me having to tell them. This has been a benefit for me. It becomes tough if the coach has to do everything. I got a champion team, as they have won before and know how to handle pressure. We have made many comebacks, and we have such raiders because of whom we have the capacity to cover the lead," he said during the post-match press conference.
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Puneri Paltan lost the first Qualifier against Dabang Delhi. In the league stage, both teams won a game each in the two meetings. He stated that they would prepare for the big final and work on their errors.
"They are a very mature team. The whole team is set. We are making a few errors towards the end and losing games in the last few minutes. We will work on this. You don't have as much tension when you play yourself. But now there is so much tension when I am sitting out as a coach. It is a very big game and we will prepare accordingly. Only the one who handles everything properly will sit on that crown."
Puneri Paltan will be keen to avenge their defeat in the first Qualifier. They will aim to lift the Pro Kabaddi trophy for the second time.
Telugu Titans' Head Coach blames defense for defeat against Puneri Paltan
With the defeat against Puneri Paltan, Telugu Titans' campaign this season came to an end. They fell a step short of reaching their first-ever final. Nonetheless, it was an exceptional run as they made the Playoffs for the first time since Season 4.
Head Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda was upset with how his defense played. The defenders failed to turn up when needed, which cost the Titans a place in the final and perhaps their maiden trophy.
"There was no problem with the raiding. The mistakes were in the defense and such that even I cannot tolerate them. But the team worked very hard to come this far. I am thankful to the players and the captain. We will have to work and make improvements if we have to be here. They did not win the game, our defense made them win. It was a nothing performance from the defense," he said.
The Titans will want to come back stronger next season as their wait for a maiden trophy continues.
