PKL: U Mumba beats debutant Haryana Steelers, Bulls downs Titans

The Steelers found its fight to set up an exciting clash against U Mumba but in the end, it was the latter which pulled off an unlikely heist. In the second match though, Bengaluru Bulls cruised to a comfortable win against Telugu Titans.

This is its debut season in PKL but the Haryana Steelers showed little signs of giving up against the more experienced U Mumba.

U Mumba warded off a spirited challenge from debutant Haryana Steelers to notch up an exciting 29-28 win in the league phase of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here on Sunday night.

It was the Steelers which was leading 15-11 at the break thanks primarily to a wonderful display by the defence manned by captain Surender Nada and Mohit Chillar. The fact that even U Mumba skipper and seasoned campaigner Anup Kumar had a few blank visits was testimony to the impregnable defence which gave liberty to the raiders - Vikash Khandola and Wazir Singh- to score crucial points.

Even at the start of the second session, Steelers never really gave an impression of being the newcomer, as it showed great enterprise and fighting spirit to push the experienced opposition on the defensive.

With Steelers leading 17-12 at one stage, largely due to the efficacy of Khandola and Wazir Singh, an upset seemed to be on the cards.

But at 15-19, things changed dramatically in favour of U Mumba with Kashiling Adake effecting a super raid fetching three points to narrow down the lead. Anup then followed it up with another to get the first all-out for his team at a critical juncture of the match, helping his side a 22-20 lead.

Soon, U Mumba's defence strengthened by Surinder Singh and Adake in the right cover, pushed back as the lead widened to 24-20.

Yet, it was not all over as Steelers showed little signs of giving up narrowing the gap to 25-28.

That was the phase when U Mamba took charge to eventually clinch a thriller.

Steelers' captain Surender Nada scored five tackle points, and Adake of U Mumba who scored seven raid points was named “Raider of the Match”.

Bulls downs Titans

In the second match of the evening, Bengaluru Bulls notched up an easy 31-21 win over Telugu Titans, as the host slumped to its second defeat in three games this season.

The highlight of the encounter was Titans' captain and star raider Rahul Chaudhari , who became the first player to score 500 points in all the PKL Seasons so far.

The result:

U Mumba bt Haryana Steelers 29-28.

Bengaluru Bulls bt Telugu Titans 31-21.

Monday is a rest day.