Gone with the wind – Shabeer Bapu's super raid in Pro Kabaddi final

Shabeer Bapu in action against Bengaluru Bulls

When Shabeer Bapu approaches the baulk line, his eyes are focused on the seven men on the opposite side. He moves his body swiftly from right to left and glides effortlessly across the mat. But at the end of thirty seconds, Shabeer ends up with zero points to his name. He comes back over to his team’s side looking displeased. The raid wasn’t good enough. His team mates though are only interested in defending the next raid and Shabeer gets back to his defensive position within seconds.

The crowd erupts every time Shabeer Bapu steps up to raid. The over six feet tall raider wants his body to perform a series of complex movements to perfection. His muscles have probably memorized these movements by now. But Shabeer just doesn’t seem to be getting it right. His team though continues to defend impeccably and keep the scoreboard ticking. But it was only a matter of time before U Mumba felt their star raider’s absence.

Within a span of ten minutes, the Bangalore Bulls managed to claw back into the game and took the lead for the first time in the second half (24-23). Things looked like falling apart for the tournament favorites. Their defense ceased to look like the hungry wall it normally resembles. Shabeer Bapu, 29-years-old enters the frame.

This time he looks intent on winning something from the raid. His right hand outstretched, he tries to snap up a quick hand touch. It didn’t connect. Microseconds later, a swarm of defenders sense the opportunity to try and pin him down. A swivel of the hips and a 360 degree turn later, Shabeer Bapu glides along a trajectory that seems to be taking him straight out of the court. That is precisely what the spectators imagined would happen.

But Shabeer uses his humongous torso as a block of kinetic energy to power his way into the mat and over the half line. All this transpired within a period of five seconds! The man has just pulled of an immaculate super raid.

The scorecard reads – 29-25 in U Mumba’s favor. Parity has been restored and the crowd goes absolutely bonkers. The best way to describe this raid would be – “POWERFUL”.

Shabeer got his timing right which enabled him to maintain his balance throughout the raid. Generally when you are balanced, you are more efficient and as a positive spill over, your decision making improves as well. Shabeer Bapu knows a super raid is all about timing. This one couldn’t have come at a better time.

Final score: U Mumba 36 – Bangalore Bulls 30