U Mumba clinched the opening game 29-28 at the expense of defending champion Jaipur Pink Panthers in the STAR Sports ProKabaddi League at the flood-lit NSCI’s Sardar Patel Stadium here on Saturday.
U Mumba kept its nose ahead in the first half, 16-15 (half-time) with Shabeer delivering the first blow by taking out two Panthers players.
He did not return the next two times on the attack, falling prey to combination catching. Mohit Chillar pulled off a super catch for the home side, trapping Rajesh Narwal on the turn on the left flank.
The Panthers clawed back for the second time to lead 24-23, forcing the home team to take a timeout.
The early flurry of movements gave way to calculated moves, due to dip in energy levels. Jeeva Kumar (U Mumba) was declared best defender.
In the second match, Bengaluru Bulls roared back from a 15-16 deficit at the break to steal a commanding 33-25 win over Bengal Warriors. Bulls’ Ajay Thakur, who was outstanding in offence, was named Best Raider, while Nilesh Shine showed his class in the defence for Bengal Warriors.
Earlier, Amitabh Bachchan sang the national anthem in his inimitable voice to launch the second season opener of this eight-team kabaddi carnival, set to be played in eight cities across India.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hoped that school children would take up the sport.
