PKL 12: U Mumba survive tie-breaker, pip Gujarat Giants 7-6 in nail-biting finish

In the second tie-breaker of the season, U Mumba defeated the Gujarat Giants in an exciting victory to start their Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 12 campaign. At the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Saturday, the Season 2 champions won a 7-6 tie-breaker after the two teams were tied at 29-29.

Ajit Chouhan led the raiding squad with five raid points, while Rohit Raghav and Lokesh Ghosliya both scored four tackle points. With three raid points apiece, Anil Mohan and Sandeep Kumar contributed on time, while Sunil Kumar came through to help U Mumba triumph after a fierce battle.

Before the defense units gained control, both teams got off to a fast start in the first few possessions. Himanshu Singh opened the scoring for Gujarat Giants, and Ajit Chouhan did the same for U Mumba. The U Mumba defense immediately retaliated after Shubham Kumar’s tackle on Ajit Chouhan delivered the first significant blow.

Both defensive units maintained control with a few early tackles from Lokesh Ghosliya and Mohammadreza Shadloui. U Mumba was ahead by one point at 7-6 following the first timeout. Himanshu Singh scored with a double-raid as the Gujarat Giants came back to grab a four-point lead after imposing an ALL OUT.

The U Mumba defenders closed the gap in the latter moments of the first half with a late rush. With a Super Tackle for his fourth tackle, Lokesh Ghosliya helped his team cut the game to a single point, with the Gujarat Giants leading 16–15.

The Gujarat Giants persisted on both ends, but Rohit Raghav put his team back on equal terms with the first goal in the second half. Harish Kamatchi helped make it a three-point game by contributing on both ends and assisting Mohammadreza Shadloui in scoring his maiden raid point.

Thanks to their defensive efforts, U Mumba managed to stay within striking distance and, following a few Super Tackles, took a one-point lead. Anil Mohan scored several important points to help them maintain their momentum, and Ajit Chouhan helped out defensively. Additionally, Parvesh Bhainswal maintained his team’s lead by recording his 350th tackle in the PKL.

Himanshu Singh’s Super Raid quickly erased U Mumba’s three-point lead, bringing the score to a tie at 27-27. After 40 minutes of intense activity on both sides of the mat, the teams were deadlocked at 29-29, necessitating PKL12’s second tie-breaker in as many days.

U Mumba took the lead early in the tie-breaker thanks to a two-point raid from Ajit Chouhan. U Mumba’s defense took up the pace after that, and the Season 2 winners won the tie-breaker 7–6.