Tamil Thalaivas vs Bengaluru Bulls: Recalling top 5 encounters in the Southern Derby of PKL

Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls have produced some thrilling matches in the much-famed Southern Derby of the Pro Kabaddi League.

Since the inception of PKL in 2014, the Bulls have been one of the most successful teams in the league and have previously clinched the coveted PKL title in Season 6.

On the other hand, the Thalaivas made their PKL debut in 2017 after the league was expanded with four new teams. The Chennai-based side has qualified for the PKL Playoffs only once in the 2022 season.

Meanwhile, the Thalaivas and the Bulls have faced each other in 16 matches in the PKL. The Bulls hold a superior head-to-head record with 12 victories in the Southern Derby, while the Thalaivas have registered four wins.

Here’s a look at five of the most enthralling encounters between these teams in the PKL.

Season 11, Match 34

Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls delivered an adrenaline-charged clash in Match 34 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. It was a quick start from both teams, before the Bulls took an early lead. The Thalaivas captain Sahil Gulia then led from the front with a brilliant Super Tackle to tie the game at 7-7 after the first time out. While both sides went toe to toe, it was the Bulls that secured a slender 14-13 lead at the end of the first half. Under the leadership of Nitin Rawal, the Bulls started the second half strongly, before the Thalaivas inflicted an All-Out to take the lead. However, that lead did not last for too long as the Bulls soon levelled the scores at 23-23. Substitute Akshit later produced some crucial raids to help the Bulls impose an All-Out to register a three-point lead. Despite valiant efforts from the Thalaivas, a clutch defensive effort from Surinder Dehal on Sachin guided the Bulls to a pulsating 36-32 win.

Season 9, Match 77

Match 77 of PKL Season 9 witnessed an action-packed encounter between Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi in Pune. The Mahender Singh-led Bulls were off to a great start as they inflicted the first All-Out within the first five minutes of the game. However, the Thalaivas soon bounced back in emphatic fashion courtesy of a raiding masterclass from Narender in the first half. After putting the Bulls’ defence under constant pressure, the Thalaivas were not only back on level terms, but they also went ahead to secure a 19-18 lead at half-time. Just like in the first half, the Bulls managed to inflict a second All-Out to register a 28-25 lead, before the Thalaivas made a comeback to reduce the deficit to 30-28. In the final few minutes, Neeraj Narwal pulled off a Super Tackle on Ajinkya Pawar as the Bulls took control of the game and later recorded a comfortable 40-34 victory in the end.

Season 7, Match 70

Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls produced another exhilarating encounter in Match 70 of PKL Season 7 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The Rohit Kumar-led Bulls opened the scoring with a two-point raid, before the Thalaivas rode on the likes of Rahul Chaudhari and Manjeet Chhillar to level the scores. It was a close contest between the two sides, before Pawan Sehrawat claimed two touch points to power the Bulls to a 14-10 lead. However, the Thalaivas bounced back quickly to reduce the deficit to 14-13 at the end of the first half. At the start of the second half, the Thalaivas were soon back on level terms, before Mohit Sehrawat produced an outstanding Super Tackle on Ajay Thakur to guide the Bulls back into the lead. From thereon, the Bulls continued their dominance and later inflicted an All-Out to secure a nine-point lead. While the Thalaivas fought hard till the very end, it was the Bulls that recorded a comprehensive 33-27 win in Bengaluru.

Season 10, Match 50

Match 50 of Pro Kabaddi Season 10 witnessed a nail-biting clash between Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls at the Noida Indoor Stadium. It was neck and neck between the two Southern rivals, before star raider Narender stole the limelight with a Super Raid to guide the Thalaivas to a 10-7 lead. However, the Bulls soon levelled the scores. Meanwhile, Narender continued his brilliant performance to help the Thalaivas secure a two-point lead. While the Bulls rode on a Super Tackle from Saurabh Nandal to reduce the gap, the Chennai-based team later inflicted an All-Out to register a 20-17 lead at half-time. The Bulls then started the second half with a Super Raid, before the Thalaivas made the most of the Super Tackle opportunities to reclaim the lead. The Bulls soon imposed an All-Out as the match headed into the final five minutes tied on points. Despite the resilience of the Thalaivas, it was the Bulls that pulled off a thrilling 38-37 win. With nine points, Bharat Hooda was the match-winner for the Bulls in the Southern Derby in Noida.

Season 5, Match 12

Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls were involved in an edge-of-the-seat thriller in Match 12 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 at the Mankapur Indoor Stadium in Nagpur. Led by captain Rohit Kumar, the Bulls put on a commanding show as they registered a 23-8 lead at the end of the first half. However, the Thalaivas bounced back strongly in the second half to produce a sensational comeback. For the Thalaivas, skipper Ajay Thakur led from the front, along with crucial contributions from the likes of raider K. Prapanjan, all-rounder D. Pradap, Amit Hooda and Dong Geon Lee to reduce the deficit to 31-30. However, the Bulls later held their nerve in the dying minutes to eke out a thrilling 32-31 win in Nagpur.

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