U Mumba almost rose back from the dead but it wasn’t to be as Bengaluru Bulls held on for a thrilling 28-27 victory in match 49 of Pro Kabaddi League season 4. The loss leaves Mumbai reeling for that elusive semi-final spot.
The final match of the Mumbai leg saw U Mumba take on Bengaluru Bulls. Having suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Bengal Warriors the day before, Anup Kumar and company were looking to bounce back immediately. At this stage, there’s no time to dwell on defeats.
Bengaluru entered this game knowing, they still had an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. Former Mumbai boys, Surender Nada and Mohit Chhillar looked pumped for the occasion and so did the capacity crowd.
Mumbai Coach, Bhaskara was in pensive mood. Rohit Kumar looked dangerous for the Bulls but Rishank at the other end looked equally potent with his raids early on. Both sides were locked at 5-5 after seven minutes.
The battle between Anup Kumar and Surender Nada was intriguing. The former managed to win the mini encounter courtesy some clever bonus points. Rakesh the decided it was his time to target Nada and did so with an emphatic hand touch. Mumbai went into an 8-7 lead after fourteen minutes.
Rakesh continued his good run, targeting the Bengaluru right corner regularly. The home team had to dig deep in defence. Every tackle they attempted seemed gruelling but successful. But Rohit Kumar turned the tide with an immaculate two-point raid.
The Bulls then tackled Rishank to level the scores at 10 apiece with a minute left. Mumbai went into the break with four men on the mat.
HT: U Mumba 10 – Bengaluru Bulls 10
Anup Kumar was immediately tackled in his first raid to reduce the home side to three. Rohit Kumar built on that effort, taking out Jeeva Kumar. Rakesh was then tackled and U Mumba were staring at the inevitable much to the shock of the home crowd.
They suffered their first all out as the Bulls took a 16-10 lead after twenty-three minutes. Pune’s, Manjeet Chhillar was doing his best to hide his excitement from the stands. He knew his side had a real chance at a playoff position now.
Rohit Kumar was relentless with his hand touches. Suresu was then tackled and U Mumba were once again left reeling. The score was 20-11. Anup Kumar desperately tried to reduce the deficit. But the Bulls defence just didn’t give in. The home side were amazingly staring at another all out. This wasn’t written in the script.
They suffered their second all out and were now trailing the Bulls by a massive twelve points. The Bulls didn’t sit back. They piled on the pressure, sending Rohit Kumar for almost every single raid.
Anup’s two-point raid followed by a powerful team tackle, reduced Mumbai’s deficit to nine. Rishank then stepped up and took out Rohit Kumar. The Bulls were now down to three. Five minutes remained. The home side had all seven on the mat.
The visitors suffered a late all out. With three minutes remaining the score was 27-24. Mumbai sensed a miraculous comeback. Anup then reduced the lead to just two with an extended hand touch as the crowd went berserk.
The Mumbai captain returned to take our Surender Nada. The Bulls were left stunned. Rohit Kumar’s unsuccessful do or die raid, levelled the scored at 27 all. But the Bulls had the last laugh. Rakesh Kumar stepped up for a final do or die raid with the world’s weight on his shoulder. He was easily tackled to give Bengaluru a well-deserved victory.
FT: U Mumba 27 – Bengaluru Bulls 28
