Chennai, Oct 2 (IAN) Sandeep Kumar spearheaded the efforts for U Mumba, scoring 16 points, while Rinku and Sunil Kumar each achieved High Fives as U Mumba clinched a decisive 40-25 victory over the Gujarat Giants, propelling them to fourth place in the standings of Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

U Mumba started the match with clear dominance, establishing a 10-6 lead against the Giants by the 10-minute mark of the first half. Both teams exchanged empty raids initially, but Rakesh and Ankit Dahiya managed to score for the Giants, while Ajit Chouhan and Amirmohammad Zafardanesh contributed points for U Mumba. The defensive units displayed resilience, with Sunil Kumar and Rinku executing impactful tackles to keep the Giants at bay.

Continuing his outstanding form from the previous match, Sandeep emerged as U Mumba’s key raider at the start, securing five points across as many raids. His successful attempts, including the eliminations of Nitin Panwar and Mohammadreza Shadloui, gave his team a competitive edge. Despite Dahiya’s valiant efforts for the Giants, U Mumba’s strategic balance in attack and defense allowed them to maintain a four-point lead.

The latter part of the first half saw U Mumba seize complete control with a robust display on both ends. Although the Giants attempted to inject energy by introducing Parteek Dahiya, he was swiftly neutralized by Lokesh and Zafardanesh. Sunil again excelled in defense, executing crucial tackles on Rakesh to thwart the Giants' momentum.

In the offensive phase, Sandeep not only kept the scoreboard active but also triggered an All Out around the ninth minute, taking down Shadloui and Rohit Nandal in rapid succession. This maneuver firmly tilted the match in favor of U Mumba, who headed into halftime with a commanding 23-11 lead over the Giants, leaving them with much to ponder during the break.

U Mumba maintained their dominance at the beginning of the second half, further extending their lead. The Giants tried to regain control through substitutions, but U Mumba’s defense, led by Rinku, consistently thwarted their attempts. Sandeep, however, continued to be the focal point, executing successful raids despite occasional tackles from the Giants' defenders.

Sandeep’s contributions were bolstered by Ajit and the defense, with the raider making critical raids to exploit the Giants' weaknesses. Another All Out further solidified U Mumba’s dominance during this phase, as they built a substantial 33-16 lead over the Giants by the ninth minute of the second half.

U Mumba maintained their superiority in the concluding phase of the match, expertly managing both offense and defense to prevent the Giants from mounting a comeback. Even as the Giants introduced fresh raiders, U Mumba’s defenders executed timely tackles to keep the scoreboard firmly in their favor.

Sandeep continued to lead the raids, collaborating effectively with Anil and Ajit Chouhan to eliminate key Giants players. The Giants struggled to establish a rhythm in the waning moments, with many raids ending in empty or unsuccessful attempts. U Mumba’s strategic substitutions and composed play allowed them to extend their lead, ultimately securing a commanding 15-point victory.