JOIN USU Mumba, in yet another superlative effort, outclassed Bengaluru Bulls 45-34 to maintain their unbeaten run in the Pro Kabaddi League at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex here on Tuesday.
Despite their star raider Shabeer Bapu Sharfudheen carried out of the court owing to injury in the 19th minute, Mumba continued unfettered. Rishank Devadiga, stepping in place of Shabeer, rose to the challenge and capped his effort with the best raider award after notching up seven raid points. The win has spurred table toppers Mumbai-based Mumba to 33 points from seven matches.
Bulls, who are second placed, are on 16 points from five matches following their second loss in the tournament. The Bengaluru outfit lacked quality raiders, with the exception of Ajay Thakur, and their defence too looked ordinary.
The organisers have done their best to rope in the crowd with former sportspersons like Jugraj Singh and Deepak Thakur (bot hockey) and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik present in the stands on Tuesday to lend their support.
Delhi lose
Dabang Delhi’s search for a win at home continued as they went down 31-40 to Jaipur Pink Panthers in the second match.
Delhi fought back in dying minutes to narrow the Panthers’ lead but the Jaipur side soon increased the gap with successful raids to put it beyond the hosts.
Panthers’ Jasvir Singh, with 8 points, was adjudged the best raider. The win leapfrogged Panthers to third place with 15 points while Delhi with their four straight loss are lurking at the bottom with 8 points.