Gujarat Fortunegiants vs Tamil Thalaivas, Pro Kabaddi 2018: Second Half Performance Gives Gujarat 36-25 Win

With this victory, Gujarat Fortune Giants have registered their first ever win over Tamil Thalaivas.

And that's that, Gujarat takes the match 36-25. The match was evenly contested up till the half way mark, but an inspired performance in the second half meant that Gujarat emerged victorious.

Ganesh Rajput goes back into his half not having been too adventurous, but winding the clock down by 28 seconds. Time management is the name of the game for Gujarat now.

Just two minutes remaining in the encounter now, and Tamil Thalaivas' focus now would be to restrict the margin of defeat to less than seven points so they can at least gain a bonus point from the match and not go home empty handed.

Someone in the Gujarat Fortune Giants camp is certainly having a field day!

32' JODI KAMAAL KI! 😍

A combined effort from our two covers help us stop Athul MS! 🔥

GUJ 32-20 CHE#GarjegaGujarat #NayaKhoonDugnaJunoon #GUJvCHE pic.twitter.com/HdGVrA0EPY

— Gujarat Fortune Giants (@Fortunegiants) October 26, 2018

A ten point lead is being maintained here and there are about four minutes remaining in the encounter. Once again, the team which took a significant lead at some point in the match is the one which finds itself in contention of winning towards the end of the match. We have hardly seen any comebacks in this season of the Pro Kabaddi League.

Gujarat have taken a 12 point lead here. Even though the match is not out of reach for the Thalaivas, they'll have to reduce the deficit soon to stand a chance of getting something out of the game.

As the clock goes below ten minutes, Gujarat have firmly taken the advantage here. They have been smart while raiding, and immaculate in defence.

Manjeet Chhillar has been shown the green card for what constituted unfair play.

Ajay Thakur with his silken movement executes a two point raid for Tamil Thalaivas and the score reads 28-17 now. The lead for Gujarat, however, seems to be ever increasing.

Things are starting to look up for Gujarat Fortune Giants here as they have raced into a 22-15 lead. By no means is it a small lead and it may well prove to be decisive in the end.

Ajay Thakur and Sukesh Hegde of the Tamil Thalaivas, both key players find themselves on the bench till the full teams are back on the mat for the next round. Their presence will be missed and Thalaivas will have to look to other players to find inspiration.

The Gujarat coach is constantly barking out instructions from the sideline, and urging his players to not lose their cool in what has the potential to be an ill-tempered match.

Play has resumed here, and the score now reads 17-14 to Gujarat.

13-13 is the score at the moment, and with just one minute remaining for half-time, this could honestly be anyone's game here.

Inches! Ajay Thakur was so close to taking at least five points from his raid but his finger does not find its way over the mid-line, even though it made contact with it. Those are the kind of margins that are involved over here!

Mahendra Ganesh Rajput aka MGR of Gujarat Fortune Giants takes a cheeky point from Tamil Thalaivas here. He stoops low and looks disinterested while receding, and suddenly swoops in to make a touch, going back with a point.

This has the makings of a tight match, and the frantic pace of the first five minutes has clearly given way to a tactical battle. Both teams are locked on nine points at the moment.

The star of the match so far has undoubtedly been Sachin, who is equally adept in defence as well as attack.

The scores are 6-6 at the moment. Mahendra Rajput makes a big mistake and goes in too deep and Ajay Thakur makes no mistake in grabbing his ankle. Cheap point given away.

Right, this match has gotten off to a pretty frantic start. The scores are locked at 5-5 courtesy some quick raids and shaky defences.

And we finally have the starting line up for you, this is how Gujarat line up in today's match.

The chosen 7! 🔥🙌#GarjegaGujarat #NayaKhoonDugnaJunoon #GUJvCHE pic.twitter.com/g8nxwvYoT9

— Gujarat Fortune Giants (@Fortunegiants) October 26, 2018

And Gujarat are off the mark here having picked up a quick point.

In the mood, Gujarat?

The Giants have arrived at the battleground! 😎

*In the mood to T-H-R-I-V-E 🔥*#GarjegaGujarat #NayaKhoonDugnaJunoon #GUJvCHE pic.twitter.com/j0vLsbenSo

— Gujarat Fortune Giants (@Fortunegiants) October 26, 2018

This is a battle that will go a long way in determining the outcome of the match.

Raider face-off! Witness this epic showdown today on the Interzone match versus the Gujrat FortuneGiants. #IdhuNammaAatam #GUJvCHE pic.twitter.com/aVSIpyk2U4

— Tamil Thalaivas (@tamilthalaivas) October 26, 2018

The much awaited second match of the day between Gujarat Fortune Giants and Tamil Thalaivas is about to begin!