A second-string Patna Pirates lost their fourth game of the season, as a Rahul Chaudhari-inspired Telugu Titans beat them 46-25. Chaudhari continued his fine form and scored 13 points to extend his team's unbeaten streak to nine. With both teams already in the semifinals, there was little to play for, with fringe players being given a chance.
Despite the loss, Pirates go into the playoffs as table toppers with 52 points from 14 games; Titans finished the regular league season in second place, with 50 points from 14 games.
Pirates started without Pardeep Narwal but Iranian Abolfazel Maghsodlo was an able replacement, as they led 5-3 after eight minutes. For Titans, their star raider Chaudhari took nine minutes to open his account, before the team inflicted an all out to take a seven-point lead. Abolfazel replied with a super raid of his own to momentarily cut the deficit, but Titans continued to score points at will as they led 20-10 at the end of the first half.
Chaudhari began the second half brightly, as he scored a two-point raid and reduced Pirates to just two men in the 21st minute. Narwal came on from the bench to try and inspire his team, but it was Chaudhari's evening as he attained a super 10 with Titans leading 28-12.
With five minutes to go, Titans opened a 22-point gap and led 41-19. Sandeep Narwal's high five eventually ensured that Titans extended that advantage to 46-25, meaning they will go into the playoffs brimming with confidence.