The Patna Pirates lifted the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi trophy after a nail-biting 31-28 win over defending champions, U Mumba. In a thrilling final, the Pirates led throughout but the Mumbai outfit levelled the score in the very final minute. However, the Pirates clinched three crucial points in the dying stages to ensure U Mumba could not defend their crown from last season.
In an electric start, the Pirates inflicted an all out on the Mumbai side in just the 7th minute and raced into a ten-point lead. But in superb fashion, U Mumba clawed their way back into the game and in the last few minutes, each raid became extremely crucial as the margin of points was very close. Speaking to the media after the final, captain Anup Kumar congratulated the Patna side on a well-deserved win.
Trending
“It was a good match. I won’t say we were unlucky in the game as it would be unfair to the other team. Our defense was not as tight as it usually is and we missed a few opportunities. I lost my balance in my last raid, which you can say cost us the match,” said the captain, heroically taking the fall for his side’s loss in the final.
He said that the raiders tried their best but they also need support from their defenders if the team is to win. Anup himself picked up a total of eight raid points over the course of the game, but it was not enough, as usual partners-in-crime Rishank Devadiga and Rakesh Kumar managed just one and two points respectively.
When asked whether his side had been a tad overconfident going into the final, Anup outrightly rejected the idea and said that his team were always looking to give their best. “There is absolutely no way that we were overconfident about our chances. We know that Patna is a great side and they have showed that in their last fifteen games.
“Despite being behind early, we gave it our all till the very last raid and were ultimately second best. We would have loved to win, but we should give credit where it’s due,” said the Mumbai skipper.
