PKL 9: Bengaluru Bulls top the table, U Mumba beat Patna Pirates

Guman Singh and Bharat Hooda were the pick of the player on the day.

Guman Singh put up an inspiring performance to help U Mumba defeat Patna Pirates 36-23 in PKL 9 at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi in Pune on Sunday. The star raider notched 13 points in the game and Ashish also chipped in with 6 points.

Harendra Kumar and Kiran Magar pulled off tackle points as U Mumba took the lead at 4-2 in the 6th minute. However, the Pirates' defense unit managed to keep Guman Singh quiet and helped its side stay in the game. Thereafter, Rohit Gulia caught out Harendra Kumar and Sunil tackled Ashish as the Patna side levelled the scores at 5-5. But, Mumbai's defender Mohit stood tall and helped his team inch ahead at 8-6 in the 13th minute. U Mumba continued to put their foot on the pedal and attained a big lead at 13-8 when Guman Singh effected a two-point raid in the 17th minute. The team from Mumbai tackled Gulia and inflicted an ALL OUT just before half-time to lead at 18-13.

https://youtu.be/TryAl4yw3xY

Pirates' Sachin found it difficult to penetrate the U Mumba defense as the Mumbai side attained a stronghold of the match at 21-13 in the 24th minute. Gulia and Monu effected raids for Patna, but U Mumba still held a comfortable lead at 23-18 in the 30th minute. Guman carried out a raid in the 33rd minute and reduced the Pirates to just three players on the mat. Moments later, the Mumbai side inflicted an ALL OUT and took a massive lead at 32-20. U Mumba rode on the momentum and eventually closed out a comprehensive victory.

PKL 9 Day 31 Match 2: Tamil Thalaivas 34-40 Bengaluru Bulls

Bengaluru Bulls survived two late surges by the Tamil Thalaivas to register a 40-34 victory in the vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 at the at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi in Pune on Sunday. Raider Bharat (14 points) was exceptional for the Bulls, although the real difference was made by Neeraj Narwal and Saurabh Nandal's defending in the final minutes of the game. 

The Bulls, riding on consecutive SUPER RAIDS by Bharat inflicted the first ALL OUT on the Thalaivas within the first five minutes of the game. At that time, it seemed like the Bulls would dominate the entire game. However, the Thalaivas rallied together, their constant pressure and Narender's constant raiding success keeping them in the game. In the final five minutes of the half though, not just wiping out the Bulls' lead but also surging into one of their own. They went into halftime leading 19-18.  

https://youtu.be/jsK_sQD4hRM

The capitulation stung the Bulls hard, and their second half performance was a reaction to that more than anything else. In a repeat of the first half, they inflicted a second ALL OUT on the Thalaivas early on, retaking a 28-25 lead. And yet again, the Thalaivas rallied. 

The last five minutes were a blur of action. Much like the first half, the Thalaivas again applied all the pressure, as the Bulls fell apart. With another all out looming over them, Neeraj Narwal pulled off a SUPER TACKLE on Ajinkya Pawar to stem the bleeding. It was a tackle that not just ensured they stayed ahead on the board but also reignited them. Soon enough, they had achieved a great lead, winning in the end by a comfortable six point margin. 

PKL 9 - Award Winners of the Night:

Match 1: U Mumba vs Patna Pirates

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Guman Singh (U Mumba)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Rinku (U Mumba)

Moment of the Match - Guman Singh (U Mumba)

Match 2: Tamil Thalaivas vs Bengaluru Bulls

vivo Perfect Player of the Match - Bharat (Bengaluru Bulls)

Dream 11 Gamechanger of the Match - Saurabh Nandal (Bengaluru Bulls)

Moment of the Match - Saurabh Nandal (Bengaluru Bulls)

PKL 9 - Tune In details (14/11/2022)

7:30 PM: Bengal Warriors vs Puneri Paltan

8:30 PM: Gujarat Giants vs Haryana Steelers

Venue: Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune