Delhi Capitals remain undefeated at the UBA as they handed Mumbai Challengers their second successive defeat of the UBA by defeating them 100-62.
Delhi Capitals impressed from the start as most players on their squad got on their score sheet in a game where their shooting was outstanding. Vinay Kaushik was the man responsible for causing major worries to the Delhi defence with his fast running and accurate shooting. Ajay Singh, man of the match from the last game, Smithin Settu and Yudhvir Singh also gave the Capitals plenty of baskets.
Mumbai lost their way in the second half and it was evident from the way they handled the pressure. The Challengers lost the ball often, they lost their temper and eventually lost the game to stronger and better Delhi outfit. With every Delhi basket, the pressure grew and Mumbai could never recover from it in the end.
The first half was closely contested but the Capitals had a slight edge courtesy of some careless passing and shooting from Mumbai. It was Vinay of Delhi who impressed with his fast running and impressive long range shooting. He was the one who got things going for the Capitals with a three in his very first attempt.
After the induction of two American coaches, Jon Kimberlin and Jody Basye on either side, teams have started rotating their players more often. Both the coaches were part of the training camp and the drafting process of the UBA. Therefore, none of the teams had a standout player contributing to the team fortunes, it’s been an overall contribution.
Delhi led 18-6 late in the first quarter only for the Challenger to fight back and get the deficit down to 19-10 with ex India player Jagdeep Bains slowly finding his feet. But Delhi showed resolve and reminded the UBA that they are the team to beat finishing the first quarter with 21-13 after going on a mini 5 point spree.
Mumbai introduced big man Gagandeep Singh, who finished top scorer in the last game and together with Nikhil, the duo started scoring for the Challengers. They went on a short 10-4 run, but the Capitals were doing everything right to counter every Mumbai attack.
By the end of half-time the score read 45-33 but Mumbai still believed they could get something out of the game.
Delhi however, went from strength to strength and the bonding between the players showed. Most players played together and the man of the match Vinay Kaushik (25) also reflected on the unity after the end of the game.
“We are playing as team. We are united. It feels great to play in this team. The team is trusting me a lot. We have played together lots of times. We know each other and we love to play with each other” said a gleeful Vinay to Sportskeeda.
Mumbai had themselves to blame. They passed poorly, their positioning was all over the place and it looked like they had given up on the game long before it ended.
Nikhil and Gagandeep tried everything they could, but with 2 minutes left in the third quarter the score read 64-44 with a huge 20 point lead for the Capitals. The lead stayed and got bigger as the game progressed and Ranbir Singh’s tussle with Ayush Sharma showed how much frustration the Mumbai team endured.
Delhi comprehensively won the game eventually and with this win the Capitals not only remain undefeated but they announce themselves as the team to beat as Phase-1 of the UBA is coming to a close.
