Season 5 approaches 50-match mark with lip-smacking encounters

Sunday evening will witness VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 5 reaching the 50-match mark at the Dome@NSCI SVP Stadium in Mumbai. In keeping with the trend so far, both the matches in the Maximum City are expected to be high-octane encounters. Let’s take a look at these battles.

Match 49 (Zone B): Bengal Warriors vs Bengaluru Bulls

Head-to-head: Bengal Warriors 2-7 Bengaluru Bulls

Bengal Warriors’ track record against Bengaluru Bulls may tell a different story, but their current momentum in the league does give them an advantage over their struggling rivals. They have been undefeated in their last three encounters with one win and two draws and currently sit third in the Zone B table with 22 points from 7 matches. Their incredible comeback against Patna Pirates in the previous match would give them a lot of confidence. Deepak Narwal is in scintillating form with captain Surjeet Singh also finding back his groove. It’s also a big opportunity for the Warriors to avenge their defeat to Bengaluru earlier in the season.  

Bengaluru Bulls have a better win-record against the Warriors but they will enter tonight’s match after three successive defeats, sitting a berth lower than their rivals at fourth. The fact that they have won only three of their nine matches, which includes a disappointing home leg, the morale and confidence of the Bulls needs a major boost. Rohit Kumar is in glorious form and has been ably aided by Ajay Kumar, but it’s the team’s defence that needs to up the ante. With some of the best raiders in the business raiding for the Warriors, the Bulls need an all-round display to get back to winning ways on Sunday.

Match 50 (Zone A): U Mumba vs Dabang Delhi K.C.

Head-to-head: U Mumba 8-1 Dabang Delhi K.C.

U Mumba boast a fabulous record against the team from the capital, and have also routed them in their encounter earlier this season. However, U Mumba are yet to win at home after two consecutive losses, having also lost to Telugu Titans before their home leg  began. Sitting fifth in the Zone A points table with a mere 18 points from their 8 matches, Anup Kumar’s men need to put up a steady display and hold their nerve in the dying minutes. With a struggling opponent lined up, U Mumba have a great opportunity to return to winning ways.

Dabang Delhi K.C. started off brilliantly but are currently going through a slump in form. Sitting at the bottom of Zone A with 14 points from seven matches, the team from the capital needs to pull up their socks before it’s too late. Captain Meraj Sheykh has been highly inconsistent up front and so has been the defence. Abolfazl Maghsodlou’s crisp form, however, is positive news for the team. Facing one of the most consistent teams in VIVO Pro Kabaddi history, they need to rework their overall strategy and play exceptionally well to pull off a win.

Catch the matches live on Star Sports network and hotstar from 7.30 pm IST onwards.