Star Sports Pro Kabaddi: 5 talking points from the Mumbai leg

#5 Struggles continue for Delhi, Bengaluru and Jaipur

Ever since winning the tournament in Season 1, Jaipur Pink Panthers have failed to even qualify for the semis

As the PKL now enters the knock-out stages, the tournament ends for Dabang Delhi, Bengaluru Bulls and 2014 champions Jaipur Pink Panthers. It is a shame that the Abhishek Bachchan-owned team has to bow out after starting off on such a high note, a 27-18 hammering of the table toppers U Mumba.

If that result presented them with a glimmer of hope after missing out on a semi-final spot last season by a whisker, they failed to consolidate on it and let a massive opportunity slip by. This season, they could grab just four wins while losing eight of their matches. The teamwork was largely missing, and a clear strategy was found wanting in most of their matches.

The same can be said for last season’s runners-up Bengaluru Bulls who simply could not match their memorable 2015 campaign. When they let U Mumba stage a late fight-back and snatch a 29-28 victory from the jaws of defeat, it pretty much slammed the door shut on their chances. Repeatedly squandering massive leads proved costly for Bengaluru, which ultimately robbed them of their self-belief too.

Dabang Delhi’s fortunes remained unchanged from last season as they failed to show the required team cohesiveness again. Their only win of the season came against fellow strugglers Bengaluru Bulls, whom the bottom-placed team thrashed 35-21.

Needlessly to say, a lot of hard work lies ahead for each of these three teams.