PKL 2021 Live: The penultimate evening of 2021 saw former champions U Mumba beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-28 in the Pro Kabaddi League season 8 while the next match of the evening witnessed a Hi-Flyer performance from Pawan Kumar Sherawat. Bengaluru Bulls took the game 42-28. Follow PKL 8 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
A combined effort from raider Abhishek Singh and V Ajith helped U Mumba defeat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-28 in the first match of the evening. With this win, U Mumba registered their second win of the tournament and made a comeback after a loss and a tie in the last two played games. Meanwhile, Pink Panthers have suffered a heavy defeat after two good wins despite Arjun Deshwal’s heroic effort
PKL 2021 Live: U Mumba beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-28, Pawan Sehrawat stars in Bengaluru’s win over Haryana
The second match of the evening was all about Bengaluru Bulls captain Pawan Sehrawat as the all-rounder scored 22 points to win the game for his team.
.@BengaluruBulls: “Pawan, we need a Supe….”
Pawan Sehrawat: Hold my ☕The Hi-Flyer sets the mat on fire with his third Super 10 of the season, against Haryana Steelers! 🔥#HSvBLR #SuperhitPanga pic.twitter.com/EUauqlSLo8
— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) December 30, 2021
Also read: PKL 2021 Live: Naveen Kumar headlines first week of season 8, Dabang Delhi remain only unbeaten side
In captain Fazel Atrachali, U Mumba have a top defender and a calm captain. But the “Sultan from Iran” has stayed away from tackles this season adding to hesitancy in the defence. Kabaddi defence is also about working in cohesion and unity-a defender initiates a tackle and the rest of his team pounce immediately.
PKL 2021 Live: U Mumba beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-28, Pawan Sehrawat stars in Bengaluru’s win over Haryana
But U Mumba have looked confused on the mat with the mellowed approach to the defence. Perhaps fellow Iranian Mohammadreza Chiyaneh’s form in left-cover defence for Patna Pirates will inspire Fazel to regain his form.
At the other end, U Mumba have had a solid start to the season with V Ajith Kumar and Abhishek Singh taking turns to lead the raids. Ajith, despite failing to score a point in his last raid against Tamil Thaliavas which results in a tie, will be the biggest threat for Jaipur defence.
PKL 2021 Live: U Mumba beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-28, Pawan Sehrawat stars in Bengaluru’s win over Haryana
Jaipur, meanwhile, have won two matches in a row with former Mumbai raider Arjun Deshwal impressing for the men in pink. The raider has three Super 10s in three matches this season and will be looking for support from captain Deepak Hooda in scoring points off a struggling Mumbai defence.
Star raiders of Season 7, Pawan Sehrawat and Vikash Khandola, haven’t had the best of the starts in 2021 for the respective teams but that has not stopped their teams from winning.
PKL 2021 Live: U Mumba beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-28, Pawan Sehrawat stars in Bengaluru’s win over Haryana
Pawan Sherawat did get a Super 10 in Bulls’ against champions Bengal Warriors but his movement on the mat still hasn’t reached the levels we often associate the “high flyer” with. Bulls’ addition of Chandran Ranjit in the auctions have helped them compensate for Pawan’s slow start while South Korean Dong Geon Lee’s heroics in the previous outing might fetch him a spot in the starting.
Similarly, Vikash Kandola has had a horrendous start to the season, but in Meetu Mahender and Rohit Gulia, the Steelers have unearthed a great raiding duo. The two were instrumental in Haryana’s first win of the season while the defence looked better with Surender Nada and Mohit regaining form.
