Redemption Sealed: Jaipur Pink Panthers Edge Gujarat Giants 38-36 as Nitin Kumar’s Golden Raid Secures Thrilling PKL 2025 Victory
PKL 2025: Jaipur Pink Panthers beat Gujarat Giants 38-36 in a nail-biting clash as Nitin Kumar’s Golden Raid seals redemption and thrilling victory
It was vindication for Nitin Kumar, whose 15 points got the Jaipur Pink Panthers over the line in a tie-breaker – their second this season – against Gujarat Giants at Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Tuesday. The two teams were tied at 30-30 before the two-time champions registered a memorable win in a could that could have gone to either side.
At the start, Rakesh Sungroya wasted no time in imposing himself on the contest, opening the scoring for Gujarat Giants with a two-point raid. Jaipur Pink Panthers hit back through Ali Samadi and a tackle from Deepanshu Khatri, as the two teams went toe-to-toe in the early exchanges, with the score locked at 6-6.
Rakesh continued his fine form, pulling off a Super Raid to give Gujarat Giants a 9-7 lead after the opening quarter. But just as the Giants looked to be pulling away, Nitin Kumar struck back for Jaipur Pink Panthers with a Super Raid of his own to level the scores at 11-11.
The two-time champions then edged ahead, courtesy of Nitin Kumar’s clinical attacking display, as they built a three-point cushion. However, the pendulum swung once again when Gujarat Giants responded with a Super Tackle from Nitin Panwar, reclaiming a slender advantage at 16-15 going into half-time.
Gujarat Giants carried their momentum into the second half, with Aryavardhan Navale scoring on a raid and Nitin Panwar following up with a tackle. Deepanshu responded for the Pink Panthers by bringing down Rakesh, keeping his side within touching distance.
The two-time champions then seized the initiative after a yellow card to Himanshu Jaglan handed them a crucial opening. The Pink Panthers capitalised with an ALL OUT on the Giants to open up a four-point lead. Heading into the final quarter, Nitin Kumar secured his Super 10 to ensure the Panthers stayed in control at 25-21.
But the Giants had saved their best for last. Nitin Panwar and Aryavardhan chipped away at the deficit before Rakesh levelled the scores at 25-25 with under five minutes remaining. Shadloui then made his mark, earning his first point of the night with a tackle on Sahil as the Giants began to tilt the momentum their way.
Rakesh capped off his Super 10 with a decisive two-point raid that also inflicted an ALL OUT, putting the Giants four points ahead. However, Nitin Kumar struck back once more, narrowing the gap to a single point heading into the final raid. That set up a nail-biting finish and forced a tie-breaker — the fifth of the season.
The two teams traded blows in the tie-breaker before Shadloui gave Gujarat Giants the edge with a crucial tackle on Deepanshu. But Aryan Kumar swung the momentum back with a decisive late tackle, forcing a Golden Raid and keeping the Pink Panthers alive. In the end, it was vindication for Nitin Kumar, who held his nerve to seal a scintillating win for the two-time champions.
The Jaipur Pink Panthers showcased nerves of steel and fighting spirit as they pulled off a dramatic 38-36 victory over the Gujarat Giants in a nail-biting Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 encounter. The hero of the night was Nitin Kumar, whose sensational Golden Raid not only sealed the match but also scripted a story of personal redemption.
From the very beginning, the contest lived up to its billing as a battle of equals. Both teams exchanged raid points and tackles with intensity, refusing to give an inch. The Giants’ defense, marshaled by their star corner defenders, looked rock-solid, while Jaipur’s raiding trio kept chipping away to maintain parity on the scoreboard.
At halftime, the scores were tied at 18-18, setting up a high-voltage finish that had fans on the edge of their seats.
For Nitin Kumar, the match was about more than just two points on the league table. The Jaipur raider had faced criticism earlier in the season for inconsistency and a string of failed raids in crunch situations. But under the bright lights and intense pressure, he rose to the occasion.
Trailing by two points with less than two minutes left, Nitin launched a daring raid that brought back two touchpoints, leveling the game. In the decisive Golden Raid, he showed nerves of steel, evading a chain tackle and diving across the midline to secure victory for Jaipur.
The moment sent the stadium into raptures, with fans chanting his name. For Nitin, it was more than just a win — it was redemption in its purest form.
The Gujarat Giants will rue missed opportunities. Despite having the upper hand in the closing minutes, their raiders failed to capitalize on defensive errors by Jaipur. Skipper Sunil Malik admitted in the post-match presentation:
“We fought hard but lost focus in the last raid. Credit to Nitin Kumar — he turned the match with sheer brilliance.”
The Giants’ defense, which had been their strength all season, looked fatigued in extra time, allowing Nitin to exploit gaps and deliver the knockout blow.
While Nitin grabbed headlines, the win was a collective effort. Jaipur’s defense, led by veteran Sahul Kumar, executed key tackles at crucial moments. All-rounder Arjun Deshwal contributed vital raid points, ensuring the Pink Panthers stayed in contention throughout.
Coach Sanjeev Baliyan praised his team’s resilience:
“This win was about character. We kept believing, and Nitin showed what champions are made of.”
The Jaipur fanbase, known for its passionate support, celebrated wildly both inside the stadium and on social media. Hashtags like #GoldenRaid, #PinkPanthersWin, and #PKL2025Thriller trended within hours, reflecting the excitement.
With this win, the Jaipur Pink Panthers climbed to 3rd place in the PKL points table, strengthening their playoff chances. The Gujarat Giants, meanwhile, slipped to 5th place, increasing the pressure on them to win upcoming matches to stay in contention.
