U Mumba edge Jaipur Pink Panthers by a solitary point

U Mumba started the second season of their campaign in the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi with a solitary point win over defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers leaving the full Bachchan family shell-shocked and giving their own vociferous fans a cause to celebrate. The U Mumba outfit won at 29-28 after their captain Anup Kumar who wasn’t so successful on the day getting pushed out by the two rival defenders, which gave the Panthers two points for the Super Catch. U Mumba led 16-15 at half-time.

The hosts started off well going up 8-3 but Anup who was a bit circumspect was trapped twice resulting in two super tackles that gave the visitors to come back 10-10. Shabbir Babu who played today was ineffective. Rishank Devadiga deserves a word of praise, as he impressed with his raiding.

For Jaipur it was the ever-reliable Jasvir who did bulk of the scoring despite falling thrice to the super tackle which ultimately decided the match. The visitors did have an opportunity when they got the hosts all out to lead24-23 with more than five minutes on the clock.

It was an encounter where in the pendulum swung from one end to the other. Had Anup managed to return safely U Mumba would have run out comfortable winners at 29-26. The man of the hour for Mumba was Jeeva Kumar who was responsible for three of the five super tackles the hosts effected in the match. It was apt he was chosen as the Best defender, Most Impressive Player and also the man of the match.

From thereon it was a neck-to-neck struggle. At one stage Shabbir and Rajesh Narwal were adjudged self out and the scores read 27-26 in favour of Mumba. When Jeeva got Jasvir Mumba went ahead at 29-26 and the win was assured. The result was a repeat of last year except the match was close.

Match 1 awards:

Jasvir Singh (Jaipur Pink Panthers) - TVS Best Raider of the match

Jeeva Kumar (U Mumba) - Bajaj Electrical Inspiring Defender of the match

Vishal Mane (U Mumba) - IIFL Private Wealth Moment of the match

Jeeva Kumar (U Mumba) - VIP Frenchie Big Impression of the match

Mohit Chillar (U Mumba) - DAE Dumdaar award

Jeeva Kumar (U Mumba) - Flipkart Audience ki wish award