Puneri Paltan were in the game till the last few stages of the game when they were defeated by U Mumba closely in 43 match of fourth edition of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League at Dome@NSCI SVP stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

U Mumba are at 4th spot with 6 wins in 10 games and scoring 32 points, whereas Puneri Paltan are at 5th spot with scoring 31 points by winning 4 games off the total 11.

In the first half, Pune was leading at 2-1 after Ajay Thakur scored crucial first raid points at the initial stage. Both teams indulged in great battle as the score went 4-5 after 10 minutes. U Mumba tied the game after 11 minutes as 6-6 as Anup Kumar managed to score 4 points. Continuing his outstanding form, Anup Kumar scored few points and provided his team a 10-8 after 15 minutes. U Mumba scored their first all out on Puneri Paltan at 17th minute and took 14-9 lead. Countering Mumba’s attack, Pune’s AJay Thakur scored a super raid in 19th minute as they were trailing 13-14. At the half time, U Mumba was leading at 15-13.

Later, in the second half, getting the momentum, Puneri Paltan inflicted their first all out on U Mumba to lead 19-16 in the 23rd minute. Although Rishank Devadiga along with Rakesh Kumar scored raid point to bring their team at 19-20, Ajay Kumar continued with his thunderous performance to score a two point-raid to provide 22-19 lead to his team after 27 minute. Anup Kumar played brilliantly to reduce Puneri Paltan to just a man when U Mumba was leading at 26-25, although Sonu Narwal avoided an immediate all out and scored a raid point with leveling the score at 26-26 when only five minutes were remaining in the game.

Scoring an all out and taking the lead by six points in last two minutes, Puneri Paltan were trailing in the game at 30-34. Ajay Thakur tried to level the score at the last minute but his only 1 raid point could not do so and Puneri Paltan lost the game 31-34 in the end.

By Prajakt K.