Pro Kabaddi: UP Yoddha sink Bengaluru Bulls 32-27 following a close contest

AN ALL ROUND UP Yodda unit sunk Bengaluru Bulls 32-27 in their second game of the Pro Kabaddi. It was Bengaluru’s first defeat of the season as they beat Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas in their past two fixtures.

With most expensive players of the league, Nitin Tomar and Rohit Kumar, leading the charge at either end, the battle was expected to be an exciting one and it genuinely did. From the very first minute of the game, the UP unit looked sharp in its attack as well as defence. While Bulls’ raiders Rohit Kumar and Ashish Kumar made empty raids, Nitin Tomar and Rishank Devadiga picked bonuses to form early lead.

Bengaluru opened their account close to the fourth minute when their skipper got a touch on a high-kick. The next 10 minutes were a Devadiga show as he picked up 5 raid points from 5 attempts. Unfortunately, he twisted his ankle while raiding in the 12th minute and had to be taken off soon. Ahead of the halt-time whistle, the Yoddhas inflicted first All Out to post 18-8 lead. 

Few minutes into the second half, Bengaluru substitute Gurvinder Singh scored successful raids to get Rohit Kumar and Ashish Kumar back from the bench. In the 32nd minute, Rohit showed why he is one of the best in the business by registering a super raid on the Yoddha and consequently an All-Out to reduce the deficit to five points. However, he was responded immediately and effectively by Nitin Tomar by executing a Super raid and further extending the lead. 

Rohit gave it all till the last minute of the game but fell short as UP Yoddha lead 32-27 at the final whistle. 

Bengaluru Bulls starting 7:

All Rounder: Preetam Chhillar 
All Rounder: Ashish Kumar
Defender: Mahender Singh
Raider: Ajay Kumar
Raider: Rohit Kumar
Defender: Pardeep Kandola 
Defender: Sachin Kumar

Substitutes:

All Rounder: Sanjay Shreshta
Raider: Sunil Jaipal  
Raider: Gurvinder Singh
Defender: Amit Sheoran
Defender: Kuldeep Singh 

UP Yoddha starting 7:

Raider: Nitin Tomar
All Rounder: Rajesh Narwal
Defender: Jeeva Kumar
Raider: Rishank Devadiga
All Rounder: Sagar Krishna 
Defender: Nitesh Kumar
All Rounder: Pankaj

Substitutes:

Defender: Hadi Tajik
Raider: Surender Singh
Defender: Santosh B.S
Defender: Rohit Kumar
All Rounder: Mahesh Goud

Le Panga:

Rohit Kumar: The Bengaluru Bulls’ skipper exhibited sublime running hand touches as well swift dubkis. He was also seen bulldozing through the UP defence a couple of times. Rohit’s crucial Super raid to inflict an All Out on UP Yoddha was the highlight of his game. He scored 11 points from 17 raids. 

Nitin Tomar: The UP skipper proved why he deserves to be one of the most expensive players in the league. Nitin outmuscled Bengaluru defenders and scored raid points during crucial junctures of the game. In absence of star raider Rishank Devadiga, Nitin led the attack almost single-handedly. He scored nine points from 17 raids.  

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.