Bengaluru Bulls Vs Bengal Warriors 04 December 2023

Full-Time
Bengaluru Bulls 30 - 32 Bengal Warriors

What a game of kabaddi we've witnessed! It's a fair result at the end, but for a moment there, the Bengal Warriors' hard work in the first 30 minutes could well have been undone by a stellar comeback from the Bulls in the space of 3 minutes. However, Coach E Bhaskaran called a timeout at the right time, and his words appeared to have the desired effect as his side proceeded with clarity of thought to close the game out.

The Warriors were the better team for most of the match, and lots of credit should go to their defense, Shubham and Aditya Shinde in both the corners, in particular. It was the former who won them the game with his tackle in the last raid, finishing with 4 points for the night. In the raiding department, Maninder picked up a Super 10, with Vishwas S also contributing some crucial touch points.

For the Bulls, it was a tough day at the office for Bharat Hooda, but for a short 2-minute spell, it was him that inspired the Bulls comeback, but sadly, they couldn't quite make it stick. Neeraj Narwal produced one moment of magic in the raiding department, but he was quiet for the rest of the match, and Vikash Khandola was rather ineffective against the robust Bengal defense. Surjeet had another bad game, conceding points in crucial situations, while Aman was equally sloppy. A lot of work to do for the Bulls before their next encounter, and unlike what the scoreline suggest, they were outclassed by the Bengal Warriors, who showed a lot of promise.

That's it from the Monday doubleheader of the PKL. Tomorrow, the hosts return to action in Ahmedabad, as U Mumba take on the Gujarat Giants. Until then, this is Shreyas signing off. Good Night!

2nd Half, 40'
Bengaluru Bulls 30 - 32 Bengal Warriors

Vikash Khandola gets a touch point and vehemently claims a bonus, but it isn't given and they don't have a review! Maninder Singh opts to run the clock down, and it's Bharat who heads in in a 1v5 situation in the final raid of the match.

What a tackle that is from Shubham Shinde, and it's the Bengal Warriors who win! He absolutely blindsided Bharat to throw him off balance, and the rest of the team is quick to pounce, as they have been all evening.

2nd Half, 39'
Bengaluru Bulls 29 - 31 Bengal Warriors

Under 90 seconds to play and it's now or never for the Bulls. They manage to contain Vishwas S in a do-or-die raid, and with a minute's play left, they trail by two points.

All three results possible at this stage, and the Bulls will want to put in quick raids, while the Warriors will want to do just the opposite.

2nd Half, 38'
Bengaluru Bulls 28 - 30 Bengal Warriors

The Warriors have come in clutch in the last two raids. Vishwas S powers past Surjeet Singh before Darpan's tackle just about contains Bharat in a Do-Or-Die raid. 

2nd Half, 37'
Bengaluru Bulls 28 - 28 Bengal Warriors

Vishal comes in with a mighty dash to send Shrikant Jadhav off court, and the Bulls have managed something special here. Four minutes left and nothing to separate the two sides. Which way will this go? A timeout is called by Bengal, and both coaches in deep conversation with the players.

2nd Half, 36'
Bengaluru Bulls 27 - 28 Bengal Warriors

Review from the Bengaluru Bulls, and it's for a bonus point from Bharat. Replays look really close, but the on-field referees' decision is likely to stand. That is the case, the Warriors still have a slender lead.

2nd Half, 35'
Bengaluru Bulls 27 - 28 Bengal Warriors

All-Out for the Bulls! What a last two minutes they've had. The Warriors would be mightily disappointed with this, but an error in defense has snowballed into a huge comeback for the Bulls. They get Maninder Singh too post the all-out, and suddenly, the deficit is down to one! 

2nd Half, 34'
Bengaluru Bulls 22 - 28 Bengal Warriors

Bharat Hooda with an ankle hold in defense, and now that the Warriors are down to three, Bharat uses his height well to corner Vaibhav and easily tag him. Suddenly, Bengal staring at an all-out here.

2nd Half, 33'
Bengaluru Bulls 20 - 28 Bengal Warriors

Suyog Gaikar with a crucial touch point for the Warriors in a Do-or-Die raid, and the Warriors' fans have more to cheer as Vaibhav Garje comes in with a powerful dash to once again send Bharat off court.

Ohh wait, the officials intervene, and it appears that one of the defenders has stepped out of bounds and is involved in the tackle. Aditya Shinde is the culprit, and while Bengal review, the on-field decision remains. 

2nd Half, 31'
Bengaluru Bulls 19 - 27 Bengal Warriors

First touch point for Bharat. Uses his reach well to tag the right-in to reduce Bengal to four men. If the Bulls can push for an all-out, they have a chance here.

Bharat is back on the mat for the Bulls, replacing Neeraj Narwal. Can the Bulls' talisman produce something special?

2nd Half, 30'
Bengaluru Bulls 18 - 27 Bengal Warriors

Sachin Narwal displays tremendous athleticism to execute a jump over the right chain, and that gives the defense the momentum to bring Maninder down. Can they find a way back now? The second strategic timeout comes at a crucial juncture in the match. Nine points the deficit for the Bulls, and they only have a little over ten minutes to mount a comeback.

2nd Half, 28'
Bengaluru Bulls 16 - 27 Bengal Warriors

Both teams trading bonus points as Bharat is subbed off for the Bulls. They need someone to step up soon if they want to play for a win.

2nd Half, 27'
Bengaluru Bulls 15 - 25 Bengal Warriors

Maninder Singh wipes out the Bulls defense with considerable ease, and Aditya Shinde executes a monstrous block close to the mid-line to stop Vikash Khandola right in his tracks. The Warriors have started this second half brilliantly.

2nd Half, 25'
Bengaluru Bulls 14 - 18 Bengal Warriors

Sachin Narwal the substitute is thrown off court after picking up the bonus, but a defender is out of bounds as well. They now have a Super Tackle opportunity, but Maninder is wary. Bharat finally opens his account with a bonus point, he can breathe a sigh of relief.

2nd Half, 23'
Bengaluru Bulls 11 - 17 Bengal Warriors

A couple of empty raids to start the half with before Vikash Khandola steps into the lobby to concede a cheap point. Vishwas S then wipes out the right chain with a strong escape from Saurabh Nandal's attempted tackle. The Bulls in big trouble here, all three raiders on the bench.

Half-Time
Bengaluru Bulls 11 - 14 Bengal Warriors

Bengal Warriors have been the better side for most of the half, and had it not been for a timely Super Raid from Neeraj Narwal, the Bulls would be staring at a much-larger deficit heading into half-time. They've been made to work really hard against a disciplined Bengal defense, and that's no mean feat considering how inexperienced they are. Shubham Shinde has been brilliant in that right corner, while Aditya on the left has made an impressive debut.

Maninder Singh has used himself sparingly in the raiding department, but still has six points to his name. However, the big story of the first half is Bharat, who has struggled big-time. The Bengal thinktank seems to have planned for him, and they have executed those plans to perfection. Coach Randir Singh Sehrawat will certainly have a lot to think about at half-time. Historically, the Bulls are rampant in the second half, can they make a comeback here? 

1st Half, 20'
Bengaluru Bulls 11 - 14 Bengal Warriors

Finally, the Bulls' defense tackling with some conviction. It was a Do-or-die raid for Bengal, and Vishal, deputizing in the left corner, pounces on Vishwas with a diving knee hold and brings him down. Maninder is then tackled by Surjeet Singh, who finally gets his timing right on a block-dash.

The Bulls surprisingly choose to raid with only a few seconds left on the clock, and it's a Do-Or-Die raid for Bharat in a 1v4 situation, and it never looked like he was going to escape. It's 5 unsuccessful raids for Bharat, who has had a poor game thus far, and the Bulls trail by 3 points at half-time.

1st Half, 18'
Bengaluru Bulls 9 - 12 Bengal Warriors

Vikash Khandola chips in with a useful bonus point, but the Bulls may be served better having Neeraj Narwal putting in more raids. 

1st Half, 16'
Bengaluru Bulls 8 - 12 Bengal Warriors

Vishal with a mighty block to open his account for the night, but Bharat's night is only getting worse. 1v5, no bonus on offer, and Bharat succumbs, this time to the left corner.

1st Half, 14'
Bengaluru Bulls 7 - 11 Bengal Warriors

Shrikant Jadhav gets a useful bonus point, and on the other end, Bharat's struggles continue. Maninder Singh of all players surprises him with a diving ankle hold, and the rest of the defense is quick to pounce. He follows that up, targeting Aman and picking up an easy point. Impressive start this from Bengal.

1st Half, 12'
Bengaluru Bulls 7 - 8 Bengal Warriors

Vishwas S finds it too easy to induce a challenge from Aman and escape with relative ease. Neeraj Narwal is faced with a tough Do-Or-Die raid situation, but he has a Super Raid here! He has brought his team right back into the game.

The right corner comes around to tackle him as the clock runs down on the raid, but he does incredibly well to carve some space for him, moving into the gap between the two covers and Shubham.

1st Half, 10'
Bengaluru Bulls 4 - 7 Bengal Warriors

Third tackle point for Shubham Shinde, and he brings down a flying Bharat to send him back to the bench once more. He has struggled to get going. Both teams put in a couple of empty raids, and we have the first strategic timeout in what's been a cagey affair. Back in 90 seconds.

1st Half, 8'
Bengaluru Bulls 3 - 6 Bengal Warriors

Shubham Shinde has looked really sharp tonight, and a well-timed ankle hold gets rid of Vikash Khandola in a do-or-die raid. Bengaluru Bulls down to four, but Neeraj Narwal surprises Maninder Singh with a quality double ankle hold. The Bulls staying in the game, but only just.

1st Half, 6'
Bengaluru Bulls 2 - 5 Bengal Warriors

Aman puts in a crunching tackle as Shrikant Jadhav pretty much runs into him. Most importantly, Bharat is revived as a result of that tackle. 

1st Half, 4'
Bengaluru Bulls 1 - 5 Bengal Warriors

Bengaluru play on the Do-or-Die raid, but Shrikant Jadhav is too good for them, and targets Surjeet Singh with a running hand touch. Vikash Khandola opens the Bulls' account after a skirmish with the left corner on the way to the mid-line. Saurabh Nandal then goes for a silly advance tackle on Maninder Singh, and the Bengal skipper is happy to take the gift.

1st Half, 2'
Bengaluru Bulls 0 - 3 Bengal Warriors

Maninder Singh strikes immediately, draws the ankle hold from Aman and escapes easily, and he gets a bonus point as well. Shubham Shinde follows up with a hold on Bharat Hooda, and Bengal have all the early momentum in this match.

Maninder Singh to raid first, and we're all set to go.

The teams are out on the mat, and we're not far away from the start of the contest.

The Bengal Warriors' defensive spearhead Shubham Shinde speaks about his side's chances this season in an exclusive interview:

Having trouble finalizing your Dream11 teams? Worry not as we have you covered. Take a look at Sportskeeda's Dream11 prediction for this exciting clash between the Bulls and the Warriors:

Bengal Warriors' right cover defender Vaibhav Garje opens about looking forward to playing in front of home fans and more in this exclusive interview with Sportskeeda:

We have quite the collection of PKL stars taking the mat today, and the individual battles between them will have a major impact on the overall result of the match. Take a look at the top three player battles to watch out for below:

Team News

Here are the starting lineups of the two teams:

Bengaluru Bulls:

Saurabh Nandal (C), Aman, Vishal Lather, Surjeet Singh, Bharat, Vikash Khandola, and Neeraj Narwal.

Bengal Warriors:

Maninder Singh (C), Shrikant Jadhav, Vishwas S, Shubham Shinde, Shreyas Umbardand, Vaibhav Garje, and Adithya S.

Greetings and welcome to Sportskeeda's coverage of the tenth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. After an engrossing encounter between last season's finalists, match 6 of PKL 10 sees the Bengaluru Bulls take on the Bengal Warriors at The Arena by TransStadia at Ahmedabad.

The Bulls opened their season on a sour note as they couldn't keep their grip on a match they were leading at several occasions, slipping up at the end and allowing the Gujarat Giants to record a 34-31 win last night. In what was a cagey game, both Bharat and Vikash Khandola had decent outings, but not quite up to the level of Gujarat's super-sub Sonu Jaglan. Their defense fared better, accumulating 12 tackle points, and they'll hope that form continues.

As for the Bengal Warriors, they have a very new-look side, with skipper Maninder Singh one of four experienced PKL stars guiding a team filled with promising youngsters. One of those four players, Nitin Rawal, will miss today's game owing to an injury, but Shrikant Jadhav, and Shubham Shinde's contributions will be valuable for the Warriors. We're set to see a whole host of talented NYPs take to the mat for Bengal, which of them will leave a lasting impact, we'll find out soon.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful game of kabaddi as I, Shreyas, take you through all that unfolds throughout the match.