Chennai: U Mumba delivered a commanding 42-24 victory over Tamil Thalaivas at the SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium, moving up to fifth on the Pro Kabaddi League points table. Leading the charge was Sandeep, who notched his third consecutive Super 10 of the season, while Lokesh Ghosliya and Sunil Kumar made their presence felt with High Fives in defence. Their combined efforts nullified Nitesh Kumar’s High Five for the Thalaivas, keeping U Mumba in control throughout.
Tight Opening Exchanges
The first ten minutes were a tense affair, with U Mumba edging ahead 9-7. Early raids from Sandeep and Amirmohammad Zafardanesh kept the scoreboard ticking, while Lokesh and Rinku produced key tackles to prevent the Thalaivas from gaining momentum. Arjun Deshwal’s aggressive raids for Tamil Thalaivas, including a successful take-down of Ravi, kept the contest closely fought. Tactical substitutions, such as Yogesh Yadav coming on for Arulnanthababu, added intrigue but could not shift the balance.
U Mumba Gain Control
The second ten minutes saw U Mumba extend their lead through a combination of smart raids and resilient defence. Ajit Chouhan executed a crucial Do-or-Die raid, sending two Thalaivas players off the mat, while Lokesh completed a High Five — the second fastest of the season — anchoring U Mumba’s defensive setup. Despite repeated efforts from Arjun Deshwal and Nitesh Kumar, the Thalaivas struggled to find rhythm. U Mumba went into halftime with a five-point cushion, leading 16-11.
Sandeep Steers U Mumba to Dominance
The third ten-minute period saw U Mumba assert total control. Sandeep’s sharp raids and tactical acumen ensured that the scoreboard kept moving in their favour. Sunil Kumar and Zafardanesh’s rock-solid defensive work prevented any comeback attempts from the Thalaivas. The turning point arrived with a two-point raid by Sandeep, triggering an ALL OUT that sent Aashish and Rohit Beniwal off the mat, giving U Mumba a comfortable 28-16 lead.
Clinical Finish
In the final period, U Mumba maintained their dominance, executing flawless raids and disciplined defensive plays. Sandeep finished with 12 points, cementing his Super 10 performance, while Sunil Kumar completed a High Five, reinforcing his influence at the back. The team also registered a second ALL OUT, effectively ending any hope of a Thalaivas comeback. U Mumba’s clinical performance across attack and defence secured an emphatic 18-point triumph, completing a season double over Tamil Thalaivas.