Jaipur Pinks Panthers registered a classy 39-36 win over host U Mumbai in the opening game of the Mumbai leg at the NSCI Indoor Stadium. Jasvir Singh claimed a super 10 in the game and engineered the superb win for the visitors.
After much anticipation from the near packed roaring crowd at the venue, Jaipur Pink Panthers took a healthy 10 point lead over Anup Kumar & Co. at the end of the first half. Until the 10th minute of the game, the Panthers and U Mumba were engaged fought keenly tussle with Panthers lightly ahead.
Hosts Mumbai got off to a quick start, claiming two early points, but later let the momentum slip away entirely to the Manjeet Chillar led side.
The start was sluggish for the Jaipur. They began with two empty raids. It was not until the 5th minute that they could snap their first point. But, once the account was opened, Jaipur quickly gained enough steam to leave Mumbai behind and overtake them.
Surinder’s dash in from the corner to send Jasvir off the mat, which made the score 3-3, brought the momentum to the Jaipur side.
A huge turnaround took place in the 9th minute when skipper Anup and Kashiling both had to bow out after unsuccessful raids
A complete all out was averted by Kuldeep, the lone main left in the middle, who kept the hosts in the contest with a successful raid, removing Jasvir.
Surinder Nitin and Kuldeep later effected a superb defence to gain a point in the 11th minute and regain the lost lead. This also brought in skipper Anup back into the fray. However, the visitors were in no mood to let things calm down as the lead ballooned to 24-14 at the half time.
U Mumbai, known for electric comebacks, however, kept the efforts on.
In the opening minute of the second half, Anup claimed Selvam. In the 2nd, minute Anup denied Pawan a touch out.
For most of the second half, Jaipur maintained their lead as Jasvir continued his magic. At the end of the 5th minute, the score remained a 16-30 with Jaipur looking like clear favorites.
However, a Super tackle by Chillar in the 6th minute added to the problems for the host.
The proceeding took a twist towards the final few minutes. 2nd Half substitute Darshan goes in for his first raid and picks up a Bonus, but wasn’t able to complete a successful raid.
Ajit, the substitute for Panthers failed to effect a do – or die raid as Mumbai gained an advantage to further narrow the gap to just 8 points with close to 4 minutes left n the game
The deficit was trimmed to just 5 points by the 18th minute after Shekhar removed Sunil. But, eventually, the hosts could not script any come from behind win and the time ran out.