PKL: Bengaluru pips U Mumba in thriller

Pawan scored 10 raid points for Bulls, which moved to the fourth spot on the table and improved its chances of qualifying for the play-offs. It now has 58 points after 19 fixtures, while U Mumba has 54 from one game less. The Fazel Atrachali-led unit did have its moments, but fell short by just two points in a tightly-fought match.

Both sides were hampered by injuries, with Arjun Deshwal (U Mumba) and Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru) missing from the action. The Mumbai defence sent Pawan to the bench often in the early minutes. But it couldn’t take advantage of it as it lacked quality in its raids. And it eventually came to haunt it the final minute of the first half. 

Pawan delivered a ‘Super Raid’, which helped Bengaluru secure the first all-out. With the clean sweep, Bulls opened up a six-point lead, ending the half at 17-11. The all-out pumped up the holder as it started the second period on a high. Pawan continued his good work, while defender Saurabh Nandal (5 points) impressed. 

Bengaluru secured its second all-out in the 27th minute to have a 12-point advantage. U Mumba stormed its way back into the duel, clinching an all-out of its own with less than five minutes left on the clock. At that stage, the gulf between the two teams was just four points, but BB kept its calm in the last phase to take all five points. 

Siddharth Sirish Desai (22 points) was on song for Telugu Titans, which crushed Jaipur Pink Panthers 51-31. 

The gigantic raider picked up a great tally as TT notched up its fifth victory in PKL 7. Home side Jaipur slumped to its 10th defeat in the competition. Its skipper Deepak Niwas Hooda (12 points) fought a lone battle, receiving little support from his mates. The Pro Kabaddi caravan now moves to Panchkula, with UP Yoddha hosting Haryana Steelers in the opener. In the second match of the day, Tamil Thalaivas will take on Gujarat Fortunegiants.