Chennai, PKL 12: The Bengaluru Bulls avenged their earlier setback against the Tamil Thalaivas with a nail-biting 33-29 win at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium on Sunday night. Powered by Alireza Mirzaian’s Super 10 and Sanjay Dhull’s defensive High Five, the Season 6 champions held their nerve in a see-saw battle that went down to the final minute.
Alireza and Sanjay Shine for the Bulls
For the Bulls, Mirzaian was once again the star in attack, consistently breaking through the Thalaivas’ defence to notch up a Super 10. Sanjay Dhull, meanwhile, anchored the defence with a High Five that proved decisive in the crunch stages. Deepak Sankar’s sharp tackles and Yogesh’s steady presence added further steel to the Bulls’ effort.
It was also a landmark night for Arjun Deshwal, who crossed 1,300 career raid points in the Pro Kabaddi League, underlining his status as one of the league’s most reliable raiders. Despite his brilliance, the Thalaivas fell just short.
First Half: Neck-and-Neck Battle
The Bulls made a fast start with Mirzaian’s raids putting pressure on the home side, while Yogesh’s tackles kept the Thalaivas quiet. But the momentum shifted when Nitesh Kumar executed a brilliant tackle on Aashish Malik, giving Tamil Thalaivas their first lead of the night.
Both sides traded points in a gripping opening, and the score was locked at 9-9 after the first 10 minutes. The intensity only grew in the second quarter as Deepak Sankar and Ganesha Hanamantagol kept the Bulls ahead, while Arjun and Rohit Beniwal hit back for the Thalaivas.
The defining moment of the half came when Deshwal’s raid inflicted an All Out on the Bulls, swinging the momentum. At halftime, the Thalaivas held a slender 18-17 advantage.
Second Half: Bulls’ Defence Turns the Tide
The match remained on a knife’s edge as the second half unfolded. Mirzaian continued to score freely for the Bulls, while Beniwal and Deshwal kept the Thalaivas in contention. However, Deepak Sankar’s tackles on Deshwal and Himanshu proved crucial, with Mirzaian piling on the pressure by sending Nitesh to the bench.
At the 30-minute mark, Bengaluru had edged ahead 23-21, setting up a tense finale.
Final Minutes: Super Tackle Seals the Win
The last 10 minutes saw both teams trading punches, with Deshwal reaching his milestone and Sanjay Dhull standing tall in defence for the Bulls. With just a point or two separating the sides, the game was perfectly poised.
But the breakthrough came in the final minute, when Sanjay Dhull pulled off a stunning Super Tackle, halting the Thalaivas’ momentum and effectively sealing the result. From there, the Bulls managed the clock smartly to close out a dramatic 33-29 victory.
What It Means
The win not only gave Bengaluru Bulls sweet revenge over the Thalaivas but also showcased their balance between attack and defence. With Mirzaian firing in raids and Sanjay leading the backline, the Bulls look well-equipped for the challenges ahead. For Tamil Thalaivas, Arjun’s milestone was the silver lining on an otherwise heartbreaking night.