Gujarat Giants’ PKL Season 10: First Loss, 25‑Point Raid, Top‑Three Push

When Gujarat Giants stepped onto the mat for the opening night of PKL Season 10 2023‑24Ahmedabad, few could have guessed the roller‑coaster that lay ahead. The Iranian defender‑captain Fazel Atrachali led a squad that rattled off early victories, only to stumble against the Patna Pirates later in December. The twist? A jaw‑dropping 25‑point raid by youngster Parteek Dahiya that thrust the Giants back into the top‑three chase, making every subsequent match a must‑watch drama for fans across India.

Season Overview and Early Wins

The league kicked off on December 2, 2023 at the Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Giants opened with a 38‑32 triumph over the Telugu Titans, a side captained by the prolific raider Pawan Sehrawat. Despite trailing 13‑16 at halftime, the Giants rallied thanks to a ‘super sub’ performance by Sonu Jaglan, who logged a Super 10 and turned the tide.

Two weeks later, the Giants continued the momentum, beating the Bengaluru Bulls 34‑31 in Match 4. Sonu once again shone, contributing 12 raid points and cementing his reputation as a reliable finisher.

First Setback: Loss to Patna Pirates

The first blemish on the Giants’ record arrived on December 7, 2023. An official team report titled “Patna Pirates Secure Win Despite Gujarat Giants' Spirited Comeback” detailed how the Pirates edged out the Giants in a nail‑biting finish. Although the Giants rallied late‑in‑the‑game, the Pirates held firm, handing Gujarat its inaugural defeat of the season. The loss was a reality check, exposing defensive lapses that would later be tightened by Atrachali’s six‑point tackle haul in subsequent matches.

Turning the Tide: Key Victories in December

December 23 – Upset over UP Yoddhas in Chennai

Just two weeks after the loss, the Giants travelled to Chennai for a crucial clash against the UP Yoddhas. Early on, the Yoddhas’ star raider Pardeep Narwal and all‑rounder Surender Gill built a 11‑4 lead. Gujarat fought back, however, with raider Rakesh Kumar pouring in 14 raid points and Atrachali contributing six tackles. The Giants erased a 14‑19 halftime deficit to win 38‑30, a victory hailed by The Daily Jagran as a “turning point” in their campaign.

December 31 – Dominant display against Bengal Warriors in Noida

The season’s climax arrived on December 31, 2023 in Noida. Facing the formidable Bengal Warriors, Gujarat unleashed a 51‑42 rout. Dahiya’s 25 raid points not only set a personal best but also secured the match’s highest individual scoring effort of the season. Warriors’ raiders Maninder Singh and Nitin Kumar each managed a Super 10, yet the Giants’ collective firepower proved too much.

Player Performances that Shaped the Campaign

Beyond the headline‑grabbing raids, several players provided the backbone of Gujarat’s resurgence. Atrachali’s defensive acumen—six tackles against UP Yoddhas and a league‑leading average of 4.2 per match—kept opposition raiders in check. Sonu’s consistency, highlighted by a Super 10 against Telugu Titans and a 12‑point haul versus Bengaluru Bulls, offered a reliable scoring outlet. Meanwhile, Dahiya’s meteoric rise, from a bench player in early fixtures to a 25‑point raider in the season‑ending showdown, underscored the depth of the squad.

Coach Jasveer Singh (noted for his tactical tweaks) emphasized a rotating defence system that allowed Atrachali to conserve energy for high‑impact tackles, a strategy praised by former India captain Rahul Chaudhari in a post‑match interview on Star Sports Network.

Implications for the Points Table and Future Outlook

At the close of December, the Giants sat third on the PKL points table, trailing only the Patna Pirates and the Haryana Steelers. Their 51‑42 win bolstered both confidence and net run‑rate, a crucial tiebreaker in the tightly packed league.

Looking ahead to the January fixtures, analysts expect the Giants to face the likes of U Mumba and the Jaipur Pink Panthers. With the league’s broadcast on Disney+ Hotstar, every match will be under the microscope. The key question remains: can the Giants sustain the high‑octane performance that saw Dahiya rack up 25 points, or will fatigue and injuries dim their momentum?