In a thrilling start to the Noida leg of Pro Kabaddi League Season 11, U Mumba clinched a narrow 35-33 win over UP Yoddhas at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Sunday. This close victory silenced the local crowd, as U Mumba outplayed the home team in a nail-biting finish.
Despite a strong performance by UP Yoddhas’ Bharat Hooda, who secured a Super 10, U Mumba’s raiders Ajit Chouhan and Rohit Raghav made the difference, each scoring 8 points. Their effective raiding ultimately gave U Mumba the edge in this tightly contested match.
Captain Sunil Kumar praises the team
Reflecting on the contest, U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar admitted the team struggled initially but lauded their resilience. “We made some mistakes in the beginning, but we didn’t let the lead slip too far,” he stated. “Three crucial super tackles turned things in our favour, preventing UP Yoddhas from building a substantial lead,” Kumar added.
Fighting until the end: U Mumba’s winning mindset
Kumar emphasised the importance of playing with determination right until the final whistle. “Regardless of the score, we need to fight until the last moment. Even after 45 minutes, we keep pushing,” he explained. This mentality proved key as U Mumba held their composure during the crucial final moments, securing the victory.
New stars shine in U Mumba’s defensive strategy
The skipper also praised new players Ajit and Rohit, who contributed essential points towards the game’s end. “The new kids on the block have performed exceptionally well, scoring crucial points for us,” Kumar said. Looking forward, Kumar stressed the need to minimize errors, especially against tougher opponents. “We need to focus on both defence and offence. While our tackles were strong, we must maintain this level of play,” he added.
This victory demonstrated U Mumba’s poise under pressure, a promising trait as they progress through the season. Their balanced approach, blending skilful raiding with solid defence, ultimately secured them the win in this gripping opener.
