Gujarat Giants stage spirited comeback to overcome U Mumba

U Mumba held a massive lead in the first half, but Gujarat Giants forged an emphatic comeback to defeat them 38-36 in vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 9 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday. Parteek Dahiya emerged as the best player for Gujarat Giants with 13 points in the match.

Pranay Rane picked up a few touch points as U Mumba took the lead at 6-3 in the 5th minute. Moments later, Mohit tackled Sandeep and helped his team inflict an All-Out to take a big lead at 10-4. Heidarali Ekrami pulled off a Super Raid soon after, catching out Shankar Gadai, Sourav Gulia and Arkam Shaikh as U Mumba took complete control of the match at 15-4 in the 8th minute. The Giants’ Rinku Narwal and Sandeep effected tackles, but U Mumba still held the lead at 15-8 in the 12th minute.

Ekrami continued to shine as U Mumba forged ahead. However, Rakesh effected a raid and the Giants tackled Guman Singh to stay in the game at 13-18. But, Rahul Sethpal pulled off a Super Tackle in the 20th minute as U Mumba led at 20-13 by the end of the first half.  

Parteek Dahiya effected a fantastic raid in the opening minutes of the second half and reduced U Mumba to just two players on the mat. Moments later, the Giants tackled Kamlesh and inflicted an All-Out to come back into the match at 19-22. 

However, Rane pulled off a multi-point raid and ensured that U Mumba stayed in the lead at 24-20. But Parteek Dahiya effected a few raids as the Giants reached within touching distance of U Mumba's score at 25-26 in the 28th minute. Sourav Gulia tackled Rane soon after and helped the Giants level the score at 26-26.

Thereafter, Ashish caught out Sourav Gulia and Arkam Shaikh as U Mumba inched ahead at 29-27 in the 31st minute. However, Gujarat Giants’ Manuj tackled Rane and Shankar Gadai effected a couple of raids as they again levelled the score at 30-30. 

Both sides then traded raid for raid and were locked at 32-32 in the 37th minute. However, Dahiya pulled off a magnificent raid in the 39th minute and helped his team inflict an All-Out and take the lead at 37-34. The Giants played their cards perfectly in the dying seconds of the match and clinched a thrilling win in the end.

Top Performers

U Mumba

Best Raider - Pranay Rane (10 Raid Points)

Best Defender - Mohit (3 Tackle Points)

Gujarat Giants

Best Raider - Parteek Dahiya (13 Raid Points)

Best Defender - Rinku Narwal (4 Tackle Points)

Where to watch vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 9 LIVE?

Catch all the LIVE action from vivo Pro Kabaddi Season 9 on the Star Sports Network and LIVE streaming on Disney+Hotstar.