Jaipur Pink Panthers ease past U Mumba to kickstart campaign

Jaipur Pink Panthers ease past U Mumba to kickstart campaign

HYDERABAD: Jaipur Pink Panthers started their campaign with a resounding 42-23 win over U Mumba in a vibrant atmosphere at the Gachibowli stadium here on Monday. U Mumba came into the match on the back of a win over hosts Telugu Titans but just could not show on the day.

The match started with some drama in the first raid itself. Pink Panthers’ star raider Deepak Hooda was handed three points in a ‘Super Raid’ when it looked like he took out three U Mumba defenders, including captain Fazel Atrachali. U Mumba called for a review claiming they had conceded two points and they had the Super Raid successfully overturned, in the first of only two moments of the first half that went their way.

Watched by their famous owner Abhishek Bachchan, the Pink Panthers continued to apply the pressure and inflicted a first ‘all-out’ on U Mumba in the 8th minute with the score at 10-2.

The only other moment that went U Mumba’s way in the half came when Jaipur’s Deepal Narwal was denied by a fine ‘Super Tackle’ attempt from defender Surinder after Narwal got a touch on Fazel.

The team from Jaipur struck right back, inflicting a second all-out on the Mumbai-based team just seconds before the end of the first half, romping to a 22-9 lead.

In a rather subdued start to the second half, Pink Panthers defended strongly with U Mumba playing catch up throughout. At one point, both teams returned three back-to-back empty raids, working well in the Pink Panthers’ favour who were happy to run down the clock.

U Mumba were spot on with another review as Abhishek Singh’s touch point on Vishal Lather was denied, only to be overturned. They fought hard, trying to make a comeback but Pink Panthers showed defensive might again to keep them at bay.

The Deepak Hooda-led side then delivered a knock-out blow on U Mumba, inflicting a third-all out with just under two minutes to go in the match.

Captain Deepak Hooda led from the front with 11 raid points on the night, and Amit Hooda returned a ‘High 5’ in defense.

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