Diljeet Chauhan and Karambir Singh led from the front to help Mumbai Che Raje take down the Telugu Bulls in a one-point thriller, winning 34-33 in the opening match of the Indo International Premiere Kabaddi League played at Balewadi on Tuesday.
Karambir Singh of Mumbai Che Raje in action during his crucial 3 point raid against Telugu Bulls in the inaugural Indo International Premiere Kabaddi League played at Balewadi Boxing Stadium on Tuesday.
Telugu Bulls started strong with their raiders picking out Mumbai defenders and taking an early 4-1 lead in the first quarter. Diljeet scored his first points in a do or die raid and with Vijay Rajput’s quick raid and Ravi Desiwal’s ankle hold tackle Mumbai Che Raje managed to level the scores at 4-4. They traded blows for a while but Telugu Bulls managed to score 2 quick points in the last minute of the 1st quarter to lead the game 9-7.
Mumbai Che Raje came back strongly in the 2nd quarter with Diljeet claiming 3 points and also injuring his left shoulder in the process but he bounced back to take down Harhinder in his next raid. Suhas claimed the last victim to inflict the first all out and race to a 16-11 lead before closing out the second quarter at 20-14. Mumbai Che Raje did well to maintain the 6 point lead at 26-20 going into the final quarter.
In the final quarter, Telugu Bulls fought back to level the scores at 29-29 with 5 minutes on the clock. In a sudden twist, the umpires failed to inform Mumbai Che Raje about the do or die raid and an empty raid cost them 2 points with Telugu bulls now leading 32-30 with less than a minute to go. Karmbir kept his nerves and delivered when his team needed the most taking 3 points of a fantastic raid to help Mumbai Che Raje take a crucial 34-32 lead. Telugu Bulls managed to score a point in their last raid but it was too late as Mumbai Che Raje won the tie 34-33.
Man of the Match: Diljeet (10+ raids)
Final Result: Mumbai Che Raje bt Telugu Bulls 34-33