In an exhilarating Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 clash, the Bengaluru Bulls secured a hard-fought victory over Tamil Thalaivas, winning 36-32 at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday. This marks Bengaluru’s second win of the season, and it was a dramatic battle as both teams demonstrated high-caliber performances on both offense and defense.
The game began with an intense back-and-forth, as Jai Bhagwan initiated the action for Bengaluru with a two-point raid. Tamil Thalaivas quickly responded with a super tackle by their captain, Sahil Gulia, leading to an early 7-7 tie after the first timeout. The defensive energy set the tone, as both captains took charge in the early stages, keeping the scoreline close.
As the first half continued, Nitin Rawal of the Bengaluru Bulls returned the favour with a super tackle of his own, keeping his team competitive against the resilient Thalaivas. Despite strong defensive stands from both sides, Bengaluru managed to edge ahead with a narrow 14-13 lead going into halftime.
The second half saw Bengaluru push forward, led by Saurabh Nandal, who delivered another super tackle at the start of the half, while Tamil Thalaivas’ raiders struggled to find their rhythm. It wasn’t until Sachin Tanwar broke through with his first points in the game, sparking a strong Thalaivas response and helping his team enforce an All Out on Bengaluru to seize the lead.
However, Bengaluru quickly fought back, tying the score at 23-23. The game’s turning point came when Anuj Gawade executed a super tackle on Ajinkya Pawar, who was in the middle of a crucial Do-Or-Die raid. This move handed Tamil Thalaivas a two-point lead with under six minutes remaining.
Just as the game seemed to tilt toward the Thalaivas, Bengaluru introduced Akshit as a substitute, and he made an immediate impact with several critical raids. His efforts helped Bengaluru not only level the score but also secure an All Out on Tamil Thalaivas, giving the Bulls a valuable three-point advantage with only a couple of minutes left on the clock.
Tamil Thalaivas’ star players, Narender Kandola and Sachin Tanwar, responded with grit, each achieving a Super 5 to keep their team in contention. Yet, Bengaluru’s defense held firm in the closing seconds. Surinder Dehal clinched the game for the Bulls with a clutch tackle on Ajinkya Pawar, completing his Super 5 and sealing a well-earned victory.
With this 36-32 win, Bengaluru Bulls have gained crucial momentum in PKL 11, thanks to their team effort. Meanwhile, Tamil Thalaivas, despite their strong showing, will be looking to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
