U Mumba were handed their first defeat of the tournament as Puneri Paltan annihilated last year’s runners-up 41-19 in the fourth match of Pro Kabaddi season 4.
The Maharashtra derby got the best out of the capacity crowd at NSCI stadium. The decibel levels were at an all-time high. Mumbai’s defensive rock, Jeeva Kumar was sent to the bench in the very first minute. He was found napping in defence numerous times in the first half. What followed was some immaculate raiding from Pune’s, Ajay Thakur. He plunged right into Mumba’s defence line and took out three players to make it 5-1 after five minutes.
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U Mumba were already down to three men at this stage. The Paltans looked extremely determined. Manjeet then picked up two quick points leaving Anup alone on the mat for Mumbai. Pune soon inflicted an all-out just seven minutes in. They raced to a 10-4 lead. Bhaskaran’s men looked sluggish and Ajay Thakur was in his zone. Presented with a do or die raid, he took out three U Mumba players to make it 14-4.
Within ten minutes of the first half, Manjeet inflicted another all out on the former champions to make it 19-4. Be it Rishank or Anup, the Paltan defence spared no one, taking them out multiple times. Thakur then produced another stunning do or die raid and sent three Mumbai players to the bench to make it 25-7. He made it look ridiculously easy.
HT- Puneri Paltants 26- U Mumba 10
Pune looked extremely confident of picking up a raid point every time they were on U Mumba territory. The absence of defensive stalwarts was hurting Anup and company. Nitin Tomar opened the scoring in the second half for the Paltans. In a rare moment of spark, Mumbai produced a super tackle on Deepak Hooda. Anup then scored a quick point to make it 13-28. But Pune were relentless in defence not allowing Mumbai any kind of leeway.
As Mumbai continued to attack, they lost players in the process. With six minutes remaining, The Paltans led 33-18. U Mumba were inflicted with their third all out to make it 38-18. We were witnessing a complete performance like no other from Pune tonight.
Never have Anup’s side looked so devoid of ideas ever since the league began. They were handed their first loss against Pune in seven attempts. Just goes to show the importance of quality defenders. It always gives the raiders a cushion to fall back on. Mumbai Coach, Bhaskaran will have to go back to the drawing board for solutions. Special mention to Ajay Thakur. Easily the best player of the match. Pune look deadly and it will require something special to stop them this season.
FT- Puneri Paltans 41- U Mumba – 19
