Shrikant Jadhav (11 points) did the star turn for U Mumba, bringing the former champion back into the game despite trailing for a large part and then scoring a crucial two-pointer in the final minute to turn the tables and ensure a 30-28 win against host Dabang Delhi in the first match of this leg at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex on Friday.
Jadhav, who top-scored in the game with 11 points, was the key man for Mumba, who has been struggling to find its rhythm this season.
The result, however, did little to change the positions of the two Zone A teams on the table — Mumba remains fourth and out of qualifying zone for the next round at the moment while Delhi continues to languish at the bottom.
The host started well, racing to a 12-3 lead early on in the first ten minutes. Led by Iranian Abolfazl Maghsodlou, Delhi played an attacking game even as Mumba’s defence continued to struggle.
But with an excess of brilliant raiders in its ranks, Mumba clawed back slowly, led by Jadhav and former Delhi star Kashiling Adake, who was the second highest scorer with seven points. The teams were tied 16-all at half time as Mumba overcame the nine point deficit.
Mumba went ahead for the first time in the game in the 23rd minute but the margin never grew beyond two points. Delhi was in the game till the 38th minute, maintaining its narrow one point lead at 28-27 before Jadhav’s crucial raid earned him and Mumba two points to edge ahead to 28-29.
An unsuccessful raid by Anand Patil in the final few seconds wrapped up the victory for Mumba.
The result: U Mumba 30 (Shrikant Jadhav 11, Kashiling Adake 7) bt Dabang Delhi 28 (Abolfazl Maghsodlou 6, Rohit Baliyan 4, Meraj Sheykh 4, Sunil 4) .
Playing today: Bengaluru Bulls vs Bengal Warriors, 8 p.m. Dabang Delhi vs Puneri Paltan, 9 p.m., STAR Sports 2 (SD & HD).
