In an exhilarating match of the Pro Kabaddi League 2024, U Mumba emerged victorious against Patna Pirates with a scoreline of 42-40 on November 6. Held at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad, this nail-biting contest saw incredible displays of skill and strategy from both teams. The game highlighted standout performances, particularly from Ajit Chavan of U Mumba and Devank Dalal from Patna Pirates. Despite a resilient effort by the Patna Pirates, U Mumba’s well-rounded play ultimately clinched the win.
First Half: Patna Pirates Seize Early Momentum
The first half began with Patna Pirates taking the lead, thanks to aggressive raids by their young raiders Devank Dalal and Ayan Lohchab. Dalal’s quick and nimble attacks kept the pressure on U Mumba’s defense, and within a few minutes, Patna Pirates managed to execute their first all-out.
Despite the Patna Pirates’ early dominance, U Mumba’s defensive line stayed resilient. Sunil Kumar and his teammates launched back-to-back super tackles, a crucial defensive tactic that brought Dalal and Lohchab down multiple times. These tackles allowed U Mumba to regain their footing in the match, showing they could counter the Patna Pirates’ aggressive raids. By the end of the first half, U Mumba had closed the gap, trailing by only three points at 24-21.
Second Half: Ajit Chavan’s Flipped The Lead in U Mumba’s Favor
With 19 points in total, Ajit was the backbone of U Mumba’s raid department. Chavan’s success began with a powerful super raid that not only earned him a Super 10 but also got Patna Pirates all out for the first time. This all-out flipped the lead in U Mumba’s favor for the first time and was a pivotal turning point in the match.
Patna Pirates Fight Back with Determined Raids
Not to be outdone, Patna Pirates’ star raider Devank Dalal also achieved a Super 10, keeping his team within striking distance. Dalal’s speed and agility enabled him to execute a series of raids, bringing the Patna Pirates back into contention. A standout moment came when Dalal executed a do-or-die raid. This move not only helped Patna Pirates level the score but also restored the team’s momentum.
Final Moments: U Mumba Clinches Victory
The final minutes saw U Mumba taking decisive actions. With the scores neck-and-neck, Chavan continued to raid fearlessly, but it was Zafardanesh’s strategic play that secured the win. In a crucial all-out raid against Patna Pirates’ last defender, Zafardanesh earned the final points that put U Mumba ahead by two. Patna Pirates attempted a last-ditch effort to close the gap, but time ran out, sealing U Mumba’s 42-40 victory.
Patna Pirates: Top Performers of the Match
Best Raider – Devank (15 raid points)
Best Defender – Deepak (3 tackle points)
Key Takeaways
U Mumba’s performance in this match will give them significant confidence as they move forward in the PKL season. For Patna Pirates, the narrow loss will likely serve as a learning experience. Their aggressive raiding strategies almost paid off, but will likely improve their tackles and finishes in the critical final minutes of the match.