In the latest round of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) action, two matches on Sunday in Vizag provided contrasting narratives of a stunning comeback and a dominant performance. U Mumba secured an improbable win against the Tamil Thalaivas, while the Bengal Warriorz began their season with a decisive victory over the Haryana Steelers. Both results have already impacted the league standings and set the tone for the remainder of the season.
The match between U Mumba and the Tamil Thalaivas was a test of resilience. The Thalaivas appeared to be in firm control for most of the contest, powered by Arjun Deshwal's second consecutive Super 10. They had built a comfortable nine-point lead early in the second half and seemed on their way to a routine victory.
However, U Mumba refused to concede. The team, led by Ajit Chouhan and Anil Mohan, mounted a fierce fightback. Their relentless efforts began to chip away at the Thalaivas' lead, and the pressure mounted in the final minutes. U Mumba successfully avoided a potential all-out against them and then inflicted a decisive all-out on the Thalaivas themselves. The comeback was sealed when a late unforced error from Pawan Sehrawat allowed U Mumba to snatch a dramatic 36-33 victory, their first of the season.
In the second encounter, the Bengal Warriorz delivered a statement performance in their season opener. They secured a convincing 54-44 win against the Haryana Steelers. The match was a high-scoring affair from the start, with Devank Dalal as the standout player for the Warriorz, scoring an impressive 21 points. His performance, along with contributions from Manprit Pardeep and Ashish Malik, ensured the Warriorz maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game.
The Warriorz's relentless attacking pressure resulted in three all-outs against the Steelers, proving too much to handle. While Haryana's Shivam Patare and Vinay put up a valiant effort, both scoring Super 10s, it was not enough to overcome the Bengal Warriorz's early and decisive display of dominance. The victory positions the Bengal Warriorz strongly in the initial stages of the league.
