Bengaluru: Patna Pirates pulled up a huge upset in the Season 3 of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi when they clinically dismantled the aura surrounding defending champions U Mumba by a 40-26 margin with two all-outs. It was a result of great teamwork by Patna Pirates who incidentally enjoyed their first ever success over their rivals in the competition in two years. The victory is more creditable because the winners had lost their star raider, new find Rohit Kumar and then lost captain Gurpreet when he successfully tackled Rakesh Kumar early in the second half.
The onslaught started with Rajesh Mondal responding with a four point super raid to Anup Kumar’s three-pointer. Even then U Mumba enjoyed a good 8-6 lead and things didn’t look good for them. But a sudden change saw Pradeep Narwal score two in a raid that led to an all-out in the 9th minute of play. From there it was only one-way traffic as the champions lost inch by inch every passing moment.
Patna Pirate’s target was to nullify the rival defence especially the corner duo of Mohit Chhillar and Surendra Nada and once that objective was achieved time and again, the champions literally crumbled making the result evident with a 20-11 lead at half-time. Rajesh Mondal who was to return a haul of 8 points with Pradeep Narwal (8) was at the forefront in attack.
Sandeep Narwal who is concentrating on defence at present, with lots of talent available in attack, used his bruising body blocks and ankle holds to good effect. With Sunil and Suresh Kumar too joining the hunt the U Mumba side looked helpless for once and so were their coaches E Bhaskaran and Ravi Shetty.
The second half proved more disastrous as the losers were wiped off the court again. It took hardly a couple of minutes for Patna Pirates to get the remaining three out. It was 24-12 at that time. The difference wasn’t so big with about 18 minutes left but Patna Pirates had landed a major psychological victory.
From thereon U Mumba kept sliding with only Anup Kumar trying to make a match of it. He ended with a creditable tally of 9 points. The ever cool captain seemed to lose his composure today and like his counterpart Manpreet picked up a yellow and a two minute suspension. Patna Pirates kept on piling the agony with relentless attacks. Rajesh won a review to pocket a crucial point at 17-28. Rakesh too tried his best but he is not the same player he was. He scored 4 points and could not make an impact against his former team.
U Mumba remain on 10 points in 4th place with two wins and Patna Pirates leap to the top with 15 points in three outings with the outcome of the second match of the evening between Bengaluru Bulls and Telugu Titans still awaited.
