Overview
U Mumba triumphed over Bengaluru Bulls in a nail-biting contest, winning 34-32 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Monday. The victory elevated U Mumba to second place on the PKL points table. Sunil Kumar U Mumba’s captain etched his name into the history books by equalling the record for the most wins as a Pro Kabaddi League captain with 73 victories.
A Fast Start for U Mumba
The match began with U Mumba setting the pace. Manjeet and Ajit Chouhan scored early raid points, while Sombir tackled Pardeep Narwal to put Bengaluru Bulls on the back foot. U Mumba raced to a four-point lead but couldn’t capitalize fully as Bengaluru Bulls narrowed the gap when Pardeep returned to the mat.
Both teams then adopted a Do-or-Die Raid strategy, slowing the game’s tempo. U Mumba’s defense executed brilliantly, restoring their five-point lead. Ajit Chouhan delivered a decisive blow with a two-point raid, inflicting an All-Out on Bengaluru Bulls to extend the lead to double digits. By halftime, U Mumba held an 18-10 advantage, thanks to dominant displays by Ajit and Rinku.
Second Half Drama
Sombir started the second half by eliminating Pardeep Narwal, compounding Bengaluru Bulls’ struggles. Manjeet added a two-point raid to keep U Mumba firmly in control. While Arulnanthababu and Naveen contributed defensively for the Bengaluru Bulls, it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap.
Rohit Raghav shone for U Mumba with a two-point raid and a critical tackle on Pardeep Narwal during a Do-or-Die Raid. Despite a High 5 from Arulnanthababu, U Mumba appeared to be cruising. Yet, Bengaluru Bulls mounted a comeback with a two-point raid by Pardeep, inflicting an All-Out on U Mumba and reducing the deficit to a single point.
The Thrilling Final Moments
The final minutes were filled with twists as the two teams exchanged leads. Bengaluru Bulls grabbed their first lead with under four minutes to go, thanks to a successful raid by Sushil and a crucial tackle by Nitin Rawal. With momentum shifting, the Bulls seemed poised for a win.
However, Manjeet turned the tide with a Super Tackle on Sunil during a Do-or-Die Raid, putting U Mumba back in the lead. Manjeet then sealed the deal with another successful raid, ensuring a narrow 34-32 victory for U Mumba.
Top Performers
For U Mumba, Ajit Chouhan led the raiding efforts with seven raid points, while Rinku excelled in defense with four tackle points. On the Bengaluru Bulls’ side, Sushil was their top raider with eight raid points, and Arulnanthababu contributed five tackle points.
Conclusion
Sunil Kumar’s leadership continues to inspire U Mumba as they climb the PKL points table. Matching the record for most wins as a PKL captain is a testament to his strategic acumen and resilience. With performances like this, U Mumba remains a formidable contender this season, aiming for even greater milestones.
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