Gujarat Giants Vs U Mumba 23 October 2024

Full-Time
Gujarat Giants 27 - 33 U Mumba

A cagey defense-dominated contest goes the way of U Mumba as their raiders make all the difference. Gujarat actually score one more tackle point than U Mumba, but with Amirmohammad Zafardanesh in the form he's in right now, that didn't prove to be enough.

The Iranian rattled off three successive two-point raids, claiming six touch points in the space of five minutes, turning the game around completely for U Mumba, who also benefited from a solid defensive outing. The cover combination of Sunil and Parvesh were calm and assured, scoring five tackle points between them. Also impressive was the left corner Sombir, who scored four tackle points, all in the first half.

For Gujarat, the raiders simply didn't click, with not one of them crossing 3 raid points for the night. They can take heart from their defensive performance, though, with Gujarat's Sombir getting a High 5 in back-to-back games, with their left corner Jitender Yadav also having a very productive evening.

That brings to a close an evening filled with surprises and quality kabaddi as the Thalaivas stunned the Paltan before U Mumba claimed their first win of the season over the Giants. That's all we have for you tonight! Join us again tomorrow as we bring you the best of the action from Pro Kabaddi 2024. Until then, this is Shreyas bidding you adieu. Good night!

1st Half, 40'
Gujarat Giants 27 - 33 U Mumba

Well, Gujarat took a timeout immediately after Rakesh got tackled, and it looks like both teams will remain satisfied where they are right now. Mohammad Nabibakhsh runs the clock down in the final raid of the match, and his coach will have him and Sombir to thank for getting the team one point from this game.

However, it's a clinical U Mumba defense and a superb Zafardanesh who'll take the laurels tonight as U Mumba register their first win of PKL 2024.

1st Half, 39'
Gujarat Giants 27 - 33 U Mumba

That should be the killer blow! Sunil Kumar was in complete control as he telegraphed the raider's movement to put in a perfect block, reducing Gujarat to two now.

Gujarat call upon the experienced Mohammad Nabibakhsh to defend in a do-or-die raid, and it pays off! The Iranian uses all his experience, stays very low and avoids the touch from Rohit as Sombir comes in with the challenge, and while the raider tries his best to escape, the two defenders hold on for dear life, getting the Super Tackle points as well.

That's back-to-back High 5s for Gujarat Giants' Sombir now. He has been brilliant tonight as well.

At the other end, Rakesh goes for it once more, but Parvesh Bhainswal comes in with a strong block-dash to deter him, and with less than two minutes to go, that could well be that.

1st Half, 36'
Gujarat Giants 24 - 31 U Mumba

After his spurt in the first half, Sombir on the U Mumba left has been really quiet, and his quest for a High 5 continues as Parteek escapes easily from his attempted challenge.

Zafardanesh gets his 8th raid point of the night with a swift running hand touch, though, and the substitute Rohit Raghav really stamps his authority on the match even further with a wonderful advance tackle from the left-in position to send Guman Singh back to the bench once again.

The Giants call for a much-needed timeout. Down to three now, will they settle for a point?

1st Half, 34'
Gujarat Giants 23 - 29 U Mumba

Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, you superstar! After turning the game on its head through his raiding, he now brings down Rakesh HS with a brilliant diving double ankle hold.

However, he's sent in for a do-or-die raid at the other end, where he falls prey to a very sharp double knee hold from Parteek Dahiya. Parteek seems charged by that moment, getting a quick bonus point in, but just as the Giants were making a comeback, an over-eager Jitender gifts a point back to Rohit Raghav.

1st Half, 32'
Gujarat Giants 21 - 27 U Mumba

That's unnecessary from Guman Singh! He knows it's a lost battle against a 5-man defense, but instead of going back with an empty raid, he pretty much offers his leg to Sunil Kumar on the right corner, who gleefully accepts.

1st Half, 30'
Gujarat Giants 21 - 26 U Mumba

Himanshu pretty much surrenders himself to the U Mumba defense in a do-or-die raid as their defense exercises good restraint.

However, Gujarat hit back with two quick points, with Guman Singh once again picking on Rinku on the U Mumba right before Jitender Yadav brings down a flying Ajit Chavan with a solid double knee hold.

This game still hangs in the balance as the referees call for the timeout. Ten minutes to go and only five points the difference. Can U Mumba hold on or will the Giants launch a late heist?

1st Half, 28'
Gujarat Giants 19 - 25 U Mumba

The game has slowed down once again with the primary raiders of both teams sent back to the bench.

U Mumba now have a do-or-die raid and the substitute Rohit Raghav does brilliantly.

He unsettles the defense with a really quick pursuit, and while it doesn't immediately pay off, it leads to them being out of position, which he capitalizes on, getting the touch on Neeraj.

1st Half, 26'
Gujarat Giants 19 - 24 U Mumba

Much-needed tackle that from Sombir in the Gujarat right corner to stop the rampaging Zafardanesh as Gujarat bring the deficit down to two.

Parteek Dahiya, in the very next raid, claims a two point-raid, but he is adjudged to have stepped into the lobby without a touch and the point is given to U Mumba. Gujarat review immediately. This should be close.

Well, Parteek first goes for a kick on the U Mumba left corner before entering the lobby and escaping from Sunil Kumar's dash. However, the first kick hasn't been given by the on-field referee, and with the replays looking inconclusive, the on-field call stays.

Review unsuccessful.

1st Half, 25'
Gujarat Giants 18 - 23 U Mumba

Well, Amirmohammad Zafardanesh has been the game-changer for U Mumba here. No question about it. The Iranian gets his third multi-point raid of the evening, extending U Mumba's lead to seven points.

Guman Singh pulls one back for U Mumba with a kick on Rinku. Vahid in the left cover then performs another solid advanced tackle to stop Ajit Chavan right in his tracks. He's been really good so far has the Iranian.

1st Half, 23'
Gujarat Giants 16 - 21 U Mumba

Himanshu is forcing the issue now for the Giants, and he once again gets Sombir in the left corner, that's twice he's done so now. Ajit Chavan gets a quick bonus but Himanshu hits back with one of his own.

Ohh, well done Ajit Chavan! Gujarat think they've brought the raider down and they have. But Ajit Chavan pushes them to the brink on the lobby, and in the ensuing struggle, one of the defenders has gone off court. He's also gotten a bonus point has Ajit.

1st Half, 21'
Gujarat Giants 13 - 18 U Mumba

That doesn't take long. U Mumba get the all-out immediately. Zafardanesh is a very tall raider, and he uses his height to great effect, escaping from Parteek Dahiya's attempted tackle, and just about manages to cross the mid-line before Sombir gets to him.

Crucial points these in a game like this.

1st Half, 20'
Gujarat Giants 13 - 14 U Mumba

Brilliant raid from Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, and that could make so much difference in this match! 1v4 in a do-or-die raid is the toughest assignment you can get as a raider but the Iranian steps up to the task. He stretches the Gujarat backline, shows great pace to get the running hand touch on the right corner, and uses his pace to evade the dash from the left.

Gujarat down to two and Parteek Dahiya gets a handy bonus point before the whistle blows for half-time. Just a one-point game this, but Gujarat have only two men on the mat, and most importantly: U Mumba won the toss so THEY WILL RAID FIRST.

We have a cracking second half ahead of us as both teams' raiders will look to break out of the cagey nature of this match. Who will blink first?

1st Half, 19'
Gujarat Giants 12 - 12 U Mumba

Ajit Chavan and U Mumba think they have a two-point raid, but the referees rightfully give the point to the Giants as Ajit just steps into the lobby without getting a touch before confronting the on-rushing defenders and escaping.

At the other end, Rakesh has a really tough task against a 5-man defense in a do-or-die raid and Sunil Kumar and co. just wait him out. before the raider runs into the opposition captain's hands.

1st Half, 17'
Gujarat Giants 11 - 11 U Mumba

U Mumba take the lead once more as Ajit Chavan opens his account for the night, springing away from Jitender's attempted advance tackle. 

The substitute Himanshu, who was super impressive for Gujarat last match, is repeating the feat once again here, and this time, he draws the error from Sombir to bring Gujarat level once more.

1st Half, 15'
Gujarat Giants 10 - 10 U Mumba

Himanshu, the substitute raider who's on for Vahid is delivering in defense now! He gets his 3rd tackle point with another solid hold to stop Manjeet, absorbing all the raider's force, exhibiting great technique.

At the other end, Rinku opens his account, making no mistake with a well-executed ankle hold on Guman Singh in a do-or-die raid.

1st Half, 12'
Gujarat Giants 9 - 9 U Mumba

Zafardanesh really lost the plot during Super Tackle situations in the last match, but on his first try in this one, he exercises maturity and opts to go back with an empty raid.

The do-or-die raid soon follows for the Gujarat Giants, and with only three men on the mat, Rakesh HS can't afford to get caught here. Ohh, he relies on the bonus and gets it. That's a gutsy move!

U Mumba have a do-or-die raid now, and what a tackle that is from Himanshu! He throws the Iranian off the mat as U Mumba squander their chance to get ahead. We're all level now!

1st Half, 10'
Gujarat Giants 6 - 9 U Mumba

U Mumba looking the steal any momentum the Giants have and retake the lead! Sombir in the left corner leads their charge, this time coming in with a monstrous block to stop Guman Singh in a do-or-die raid before Manjeet picks up an easy running hand touch.

Ohh you're kidding me that's phenomenal from Sombir. That's a back hold on Parteek Dahiya of all people, and he's raced to four tackle points already! Zafardanesh gets his first raid point of the night as the Giants get desperate and err in defense, and as the whistle blows for the timeout, U Mumba are on the ascendancy. They have a 3-point lead, and unless the Giants can regain control, this phase of play might well lead to an all-out.

1st Half, 7'
Gujarat Giants 6 - 5 U Mumba

Well, well U Mumba's Sombir comes in with a fierce dash to get U Mumba back in the game after Gujarat's left corner Jitender Yadav got them a 2-point lead by bringing Zafardanesh down with an ankle hold.

Well, every defender seems to be getting their name on the scoresheet for Gujarat, and it's the Iranian left cover Vahid who executes a tough advanced ankle hold to stop Ajit Chavan. Manjeet, however, sneaks in a bonus point off his next raid.

Early stages here but the Giants have their noses ahead, but just by one point. And despite raiding being the strong forte of both teams, it looks like we might have a cagey game where raid points might be at a premium.

1st Half, 5'
Gujarat Giants 4 - 3 U Mumba

We've got two Sombirs today! And they'll be staring at each other from opposite sides of the court. U Mumba's left corner Sombir Goswami opens his account for the night with a solid ankle hold on Parteek Dahiya.

But the Gujarat defense hits back as Jitender Yadav puts in a monstrous double thigh hold on Ajit Chavan. There's no way he's escaping from that. A First raid point for Guman Singh follows, and he'll hope that gets him going. Gets a quick toe touch on Rinku on the U Mumba right corner.

1st Half, 2'
Gujarat Giants 1 - 2 U Mumba

He wasn't able to get off the mark for the whole of last match, but star signing Manjeet opens his account in only his first raid with a running hand touch. Defensively, the left chain of U Mumba makes a crucial tackle, sending the dangerous Guman Singh back to the bench.

However, Gujarat hit back immediately, and who else but Sombir? Manjeet runs right into the right corner and coming on the back of a High 5, he's high on confidence and won't miss.

Good start this, with the defenses looking disciplined.

Right then we're all set for live action. Rakesh HS will start us off here.

It's a battle between two right covers who are also captaining their respective sides. Neeraj and Sunil Kumar are two of the best right covers in the league. Which of the two will end up on the winning side?

FYI: The Tamil Thalaivas comprehensively beat the Puneri Paltan in the first match. That's not something you expect, and you can't stop but wonder how many more surprises lay in store for us tonight:

With both teams brimming with talent and having a few concerns as well, this game can be tricky to call. Worry not as our in-house experts analyze both teams' chances of walking away with the win in the Match Prediction:

We've had some really memorable moments when these two teams have faced off. Here's all you need to know about this fixture and the head-to-head records between the two teams:

Steal a march over your Dream11 rivals with the help of our lowly-owned surprise picks who could help your team stand out from the rest:

As Dream11 players look to perfect their teams ahead of the pre-match deadline, here is all you need to know on that front through Sportskeeda's Dream11 Prediction:

Team News

Here are the starting lineups of both teams:

Gujarat Giants: Neeraj Kumar (C), Jitender Yadav, Vahid Rezaeimehr, Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh HS, Guman Singh, and Parteek Dahiya.

U Mumba: Sunil Kumar (C), Ajit Chavan, Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, Manjeet, Parvesh Bhainswal, Rinku, and Sombir.

Well, U Mumba go in with the same starting 7 as the last match while the Giants make one change. Balaji D in the left cover has been replaced by the highly-rated Iranian Vahid Rezaeimehr.

Good evening and welcome to Sportskeeda's coverage of the 11th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. We have for you an exciting Western Derby in the second game of a Wednesday doubleheader here at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad as the Gujarat Giants take on U Mumba.

All eyes will be on Guman Singh when he takes on U Mumba, his team in PKL 10 for whom he performed quite well. However, he was released by the franchise and subsequently purchased for a whopping ₹1.91 Crores by the Gujarat Giants. While he had a middling debut game for the Giants, they were able to register a 36-32 win over the Bengaluru Bulls, courtesy of a High 5 from right corner Sombir.

Meanwhile, U Mumba faltered in some key moments of the match, going down 36-28 to the Dabang Delhi KC despite creating plenty of opportunities to go ahead themselves. They were leaking points in that game defensively, and against what should be a quality Gujarat raiding unit, they have to shore up their defense.

This battle between two really good raiding units searching for consistency should be a thrilling one, and I, Shreyas, will take you through all the action as it unfolds. 

Team news to follow.