Pro Kabaddi League: Meraj Shekyh Fashions Historic Win for Telugu Titans

Meraj Shekyh starred with two four-point super raids as Telugu Titans inflicted upon Patna Pirates their biggest loss to date in Season 2 of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. The Titans romped crushed their opponents 54-32, notching up the highest score this season.

However, the Titans fell short of their own record of 60 points against the Puneri Paltan in the first season of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. The winners were so ruthless that after inflicting the first all-out in just five minutes, they also scored two more 'all-outs' prior to the half-time whistle.

From 11-5 in the 5th minute, the Titans rocketed to 20-5 for the next all-out within a couple of minutes. And if that was not enough, the hosts carried on their merciless assault. And it came from none other than the mercurial Meraj, their captain.

First he brushed aside the well-built Sandeep Narwal and then pulled another three rivals along to get to the midline. It was 29-9 and as Sandeep Kandola and Deepak Niwas Hudda came up with clean tackles, the third all-out was scored in no time. The Titans were simply unstoppable.

The second super raid came soon. It was another four-pointer. It took the Titans still further. From 32-9 they moved swiftly to 38-12 at the break. Meraj had absolutely proved why the Titans paid a huge amount to acquire him. Immediately after the interval came the fourth all-out for a massive lead of 43-13 in the 21stminute, a record. It completely demoralized the Pirates who were without Rakesh Kumar their captain their most experienced hand.

The Titans march continued uninterrupted. Sukesh Hegde the man for the do-or-die raids, all-rounder Deepak Niwas Hudda who was the man of the match, toyed with the Pirates to help them cross the half-century mark. Ravi Dalal redeemed his reputation to some extent scoring 9 points in 20 raids with the bulk of them coming towards the end.

Meraj was in the thick of action till the end but blotted his copy book by getting out once for not uttering the 'cant'. For the losers, they stay in fourth place with 20 points in eight matches. Though this huge loss has shattered their morale their chances of making it to the play-offs are still alive.