It's down to the final panga. The Jaipur Pink Panthers take on the Patna Pirates in the all-important final on Sunday at 9 pm IST, and whatever be the result, history will be made. Whoever wins will become the first team to win the league twice.
Abhishek Bachchan's Jaipur Pink Panthers will be looking to replicate their success of the first season in 2014, while defending champions Patna Pirates will want to win back-to-back titles.
Friday's semi-final between the Pirates and the Puneri Paltans was an engrossing affair. The teams matched each other move-by-move before Pune shot ahead to a 27-23 lead with just five minutes on the clock, thanks to some robust moves and hardcore defending.
How did he do that? @PuneriPaltan's Parmod somehow wriggles out of a tight spot to score! #PATvPUN #FinalPanga pic.twitter.com/DPUje4gKct
— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) July 29, 2016
Patthar Ka Jawab Eent, Aur Rajesh Ka Jawab Manjeet! No way out for @PatnaPirates there! #PATvPUN #FinalPanga pic.twitter.com/sWFL7Esi20
— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) July 29, 2016
But in keeping with their recent trend of eking out late wins, the Pirates fought back gallantly and surged back to take the lead and hold on to it to ensure a place in the final.
Fazel sent Ajay Thakur into last week with this Dash!#PATvPUN #PirateHamla #FinalPanga pic.twitter.com/LN1oVMWiYc
— Patna Pirates (@PatnaPirates) July 29, 2016
When you make it to the Finals... 🎉🎉👏 #PATvPUN #PirateHamla #FinalPanga pic.twitter.com/AkhX7ohzEE
— Patna Pirates (@PatnaPirates) July 29, 2016
The other semi-final between the Jaipur Pink Panthers and the Telugu Titans was more one-sided as the Panthers put in a dominating performance to book a place in the finals 34-24.
Here are some grabs of the glorifying victory by the #Panthers! #ROARFORPANTHERS #JaiHanuman pic.twitter.com/CffXNmekIm
— Jaipur Pink Panthers (@JaipurPanthers) July 29, 2016
And even their celebrity owner couldn't stop himself from expressing his delight.
Nothing else matters when our inspiration, @juniorbachchan stands by us! #RoarForPanthers pic.twitter.com/UJ1lIKBauJ
— Jaipur Pink Panthers (@JaipurPanthers) July 29, 2016
So, it'll be Jaipur v Patna in the final on Sunday. And don't forget, it won't be the only final – the Storm Queens will take on the Firebirds to decide the winner of the first ever Women's Kabaddi Challenge at 8 pm IST.