PKL-12: UP Yoddhas secure second consecutive win, defeat Bengaluru Bulls in tie-breaker

UP Yoddhas, powered by Bhavani Rajput and Gagan Gowda, defeated Bengaluru Bulls 6-5 in a tie-breaker during the 49th match of Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) on Thursday. The match, played at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, ended 36-36 in regulation time, pushing the contest into a tie-breaker, where UP Yoddhas clinched a thrilling victory.

This was Bengaluru’s second defeat in a tie-breaker this season. For UP Yoddhas, this was their fourth win in eight matches this season, taking their tally to eight points. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Bulls suffered their fifth defeat in 10 matches.

Talking about the match, UP Yoddhas won the toss and opted for the first raid. Gagan Gowda earned a point in the very first raid. However, Bengaluru made a sharp start and held UP to a 5-5 tie for the first five minutes. With Ashish Malik’s brilliant raid, Bengaluru went ahead 11-7 in the first 10 minutes of the opening half.

Bengaluru then inflicted an all-out on UP with the help of Alireza, stretching the score to 15-8. In the 17th minute, Bengaluru Bulls executed the first super tackle of the match, adding two more points and saving themselves from being all-out.

The Bulls’ lead grew to 18-12. Akash Shinde scored another point in a do-or-die raid for the Bulls, but the team still couldn’t avoid an all-out. At half-time, Bengaluru Bulls led 20-19. In the first half, Bengaluru’s all-rounder Alireza Mirzaei and UP’s Bhavani Rajput both scored six points each.

At the start of the second half, both teams were tied at 20-20. Just as UP Yoddhas were regaining momentum, Bhavani Rajput was tackled out for the first time. In the 27th minute, Alireza Mirzaei was tackled again in a do-or-die situation, bringing the score to 24-24 by the 30th minute. Shortly after, Bhavani Rajput produced a super raid in a do-or-die attempt, earning UP three points and giving them a 27-24 lead.

By the 32nd minute, UP Yoddhas inflicted an all-out on Bengaluru Bulls, extending their lead to 31-26. Although the Bulls tried to reduce the margin with defensive points, UP stayed ahead. In the 37th minute, Guman Singh was tackled in a do-or-die raid, but UP still led 35-32. However, in the final minute, Alireza Mirzaei came up with a super raid, earning two points for the Bulls and tying the score 36-36, forcing the match into a tie-breaker.

This was UP Yoddhas’ first tie-breaker of the season, and it turned into a nail-biting contest against Bengaluru Bulls. At one point, both teams were level at 3-3. But UP then scored through defense, gaining a one-point lead. Eventually, UP Yoddhas sealed the tie-breaker 6-5. Bengaluru Bulls, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat of the season in a tie-breaker.