Pro Kabaddi: U Mumba is here to take the cup home
The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League, which has successfully revamped the dying sport of kabaddi is back in its second season. In 2014, there came a sporting league, which revolutionised the sport of kabaddi, and revived a game that was slowly losing relevance, and brought it back to prominence.
One team that has made a mark on the audience this season is U Mumba. Last year, the Jaipur Pink Panthers and the Mumbaikars faced off in the final, where Abhishek Bachchan's team eventually took the cup home. However, this year, the runners-up of last year seem determined to scale that final step.
With an experienced side supplemented well with youngsters, U Mumba has started the season exceptionally. They have won all the 7 matches this season.
Their first match saw them go against last year’s champions, against whom they won by a solitary point. Their next battle was against the Bengaluru Bulls, who lost to the Mumbaikars by 13 points.
The Anup Kumar-led side got the better of Patna Pirates and Puneri Paltan by 5 and 7 points, respectively, while Bengal Warriors faced the Mumba music next. The team from Kolkata were beaten by 4 points.
Their toughest encounter came against Telugu Titans, who like them were undefeated in the tournament so far. U Mumba maintained their record and handed their opponents from down South their first loss of the campaign, by a narrow 27-26 scoreline. The final team they added to the teams they have beaten was Dabang Delhi. Against the side captained by Ravinder Pahal, U Mumba pulled up their socks in the final 10 minutes and emerged victorious.
In the second half of the season, Bhaskaran Edachery’s side will have to be careful as the teams will look to take revenge for the defeats handed out to them by the indomitable Mumbai outfit. With these wins, U Mumba lead the Pro Kabaddi table, standing at the top with 35 points. Barring any surprising results, Anup Kumar’s side should reach the semi-finals and if they keep up their performances, they will be favourites to lift the trophy, come 23rd August.