Kashiling’s super raid helps Bengaluru win Southern derby

Sonepat: Kashiling Adake struck in the very second minute with a super raid to set the tone early on as Bengaluru Bulls defeated Tamil Thalaivas 44-35 in the Southern derby on the Day 6 of action in the Sonepat leg of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 6, on Wednesday.

Kashiling, who once was touted as champion material, but a string of injuries waylaid him from Mumbai to Delhi and out of the national reckoning, showed some glimpses of his art and came up with a super raid to rekindle his confidence. He earned 12 points in total as Bengaluru rode roughshod over the team from Chennai before winning by a margin of 9 points.

Bragging rights were earned without doubt by Bengaluru and besides Kashiling, it was Pawan Sehrawat, who made quick and fast raids, turned the star performers as Bulls scored their second win on the trot.

This was Tamil Thalaivas’ fifth straight defeat and they haven’t won a match since the opening day of the season. Ajay Thakur was once again tried to salvage the match for Thalaivas but couldn’t get enough support.

When Bulls led 4-1, Ajay Thakur got his first point of the match to make it 2-4 for Thalaivas. Kashiling made another successful raid as Bulls inflicted an all out to lead 9-2.

Pawan Sehrawat then came up with a four-point raid to give Bengaluru Bulls 14-3 lead leaving Thalaivas defence in tatters. At the end of the first half Bulls led 25-14 with Kashiling scoring 10 points.

Tamil Thalaivas tried to salvage some pride in the second half by inflicting an all-out in the 24th minute to cut the deficit to 21-29. With their lead cut to just six points.

Big blow to Thalaivas came when their skipper Ajay Thakur was stretchered off the mat following an injury. With less than five minutes left, Bengaluru Bulls had 11-point gap, but still Thalaivas made a super tackle to bridge the gap further, but failed to overturn the result. On Thursday, Haryana Steelers will take on Dabang Delhi while Gujarat Fortunegiants meet Puneri Paltan in a big face-off.

Result: Bengaluru Bulls 44 beat Tamil Thalaivas 35
Raider of the match: Pawan Kumar (Bengaluru Bulls)
Defender of the match: Ashish Kumar Sangwan (Bengaluru Bulls)