Punjab and Haryana are two places in India which popularised the game of kushti over decades. There isn't an area in the rural parts of these two states where you don't get to see an akhara, featuring some wild pehlwani.
Most accomplished wrestlers in India over the decades, right from the Great Gama to Dara Singh and recent posterboys of kushti, Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt, and all Indian superstars who have made the country proud over the years, started from akharas in Punjab and Haryana.
And now, these two Indian regions will be plying their trade on the mat once again, and we will witness "Khel Fauladi" of the highest level. In the second semi final of the Pro Kabaddi League 2015, the franchisees belonging to these regions go head-to-head for a place in the final.
Punjab Royals take on Haryana Hammers at the IGI Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday evening.
One of these teams will face Mumbai Garuda in the Pro Wrestling League 2015 final tomorrow, which will also take place in the national capital.
Both Punjab Royals and Haryana Hammers notched three wins from five games in the league phase, where Punjab convincingly beat Haryana.
Legendary actor and 'Sholay' star Dharmendra is the co-owner of Punjab Royals, whose captain is India's Geeta Phogat. The 27-year-old gold medal winner at the 2010 Commonwealth Games made headlines after beating Ukraine's Oksana Herhel (of Haryana Hammers) in the women's 58-kg category in her last game.
Meanwhile, Haryana Hammers, who have 2012 Olympics Bronze medal winner Yogeshwar Dutt as their captain, come to the game following a narrow defeat against Mumbai Garuda in their last league game.
Geeta and Oksana will once again be pitted against each other today, while Yogeshwar, who missed his last game, is set to fight Rajneesh once more in the men's 65-kg category.
Punjab Royals vs Haryana Hammers is scheduled for a 7 pm IST start.
Where to watch the action
Viewers in India can catch the Hindi feed of the matches on Sony Max and Sony Pal, while the English feed is available on Sony Six / Six HD.
The online streaming is also available on SonyLiv.
