Bengaluru Bulls entered the second game at their home venue on the back of a narrow win against Tamil Thalaivas, while U.P. Yoddha were looking to continue their explosive form from their first match where they thrashed Telugu Titans. With Rohit Kumar and Nitin Tomar, the two most expensive players in the league’s history leading the charge at either end, fans were ready for an explosive encounter.

Tomar won the toss and chose his side of the mat. From the very first minute, U.P. Yoddha were in sync. Ajay Kumar and Rohit opened the proceedings for the Bulls respectively, but both the raids went empty. At the other end, Nitin and Rishank Devadiga entered respectively and picked up a bonus point each. The 3rd minute saw the first do-or-die raid of the match where Ajay was tackled off the mat by Pankaj. The Bulls got their first point through Rohit’s high-kick while raiding.

The next 10 minutes were a Devadiga show as he picked up 5 raid points from 5 attempts. Unfortunately in the 12th minute, he twisted his ankle while raiding and looked in immense pain. He had to be substituted and Mahesh Goud entered the mix. A series of do-or-die raids followed and at the stroke of halftime, the Yoddha handed the Bulls an All-Out to take an impressive 10-point lead and end the half at 18-8.

The second half began with the two captains Kumar and Tomar starting the raids - though both ended empty. By the 27th minute, the Yoddha had a 12-point lead with both the main Bulls raiders Rohit and Ajay sitting out. Gurvinder Singh was introduced by the Bulls coach and had an immediate impact on the proceedings. He revived both Rohit and Ajay. This started the comeback for the Bulls. In the 32nd minute, Rohit showed why he is one of the best in the business by registering a super raid on the Yoddha and consequently an All-Out in one clean sweep to pick up 5 points as the scoreline now read 25-20. The very next minute, Tomar gave a fitting reply by picking up the Yoddha’s first super raid of the match to keep his team in the driver’s seat. Rohit tried to keep the battle alive and completed his third consecutive Super 10 this season but it eventually went in vain. As the full-time whistle blew, the score read 32-27 in favour of the Yoddha.

Both the teams will again play tomorrow at Nagpur with U.P. Yoddha drawing swords with Bengal Warriors, while Bengaluru Bulls entertain double defending champions Patna Pirates in another blockbuster duel.