Hyderabad, Oct 7 (NationPress) In a thrilling encounter at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, the Kolkata Thunderbolts staged a remarkable comeback to triumph over the Kochi Blue Spikers with scores of 12-15, 15-13, 15-6, 19-17 in the Prime Volleyball League. Pankaj Sharma earned the title of Player of the Match.

Following a recent victory against the Goa Guardians, Kochi initiated the contest with strength, with Hemanth delivering powerful serves. Meanwhile, Kolkata's captain, Ashwal Rai, fulfilled his role as an outside hitter, making significant contributions to the team's performance. Pankaj Sharma quickly demonstrated why he is regarded as Kolkata's greatest asset on the court, challenging Kochi's defense.

Kochi's setter, Byron Ketukaris, effectively distributed the ball across the court, keeping the Thunderbolts on their toes. Both teams showcased outstanding defensive skills, complicating matters for attackers seeking openings.

Fans of Kochi were thrilled by Abhishek's impressive serve; however, Erin's wide shot cost his team a vital super point. Unforced errors plagued Kochi, while Kolkata's Pankaj and Ashwal consistently penetrated the opposition's defense with their relentless attacks.

The addition of Matin Takavar bolstered Kolkata's middle zone, swinging the match decisively in favor of the Thunderbolts. Muhammed Iqbal secured another point, intensifying the pressure on the Spikers. Despite Kochi's valiant efforts to regain control, a crucial block from Matin confirmed Kolkata's inaugural win of the season.

In a previous match on Monday, the Mumbai Meteors emerged victorious against the Calicut Heroes with scores of 15-9, 15-8, 15-12 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, maintaining their flawless streak in the competition. Amit Gulia was awarded Player of the Match. The Calicut Heroes initiated the game with middle passes, enabling their setter and captain, Mohan Ukkarpandian, to explore various attacking options. However, the dominant blocking by Abhinav Salar for Mumbai effectively countered Calicut's offensive threats.

Ukkrapandian's double touch resulted in an early super point for Mumbai, who subsequently took the lead. Shubham Chaudhary's powerful spikes thwarted Calicut's defense, while Mathias Loftesnes also tested the opposing team with his attacks.