Bengaluru Raptors wins Premier Badminton League

Bengaluru Raptors beat Mumbai Rockets 4-3 in the final of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) in Bengaluru to win their maiden title. Kidambi Srikanth, Vu Ji Trang and men’s doubles pair of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Satiawan won their matches for Bengaluru Raptors.

Sameer Verma of Mumbai Rockets had fought back in the men's singles tie against B Sai Praneeth to put his team in the hunt but the men's doubles pair of Bengaluru Raptors proved too good for their opponents in the end. Kim Gi Jung and Pia Zebadiah of Mumbai Rockets started the contest by winning the Trump match against Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith of Bengaluru Raptors 15-8 15-14 in the mixed doubles. The victory put Mumbai Rockets 2-0 up after the first tie.

But Kidambi Srikanth had other plans as he thrashed Anders Antonsen of Mumbai Rockets 15-7 15-10 in the men's singles to keep Bengaluru alive. Vu Ji Trang then won her women's singles tie against Shriyanshi Pardeshi in straight games. It was a Trump game for Bengaluru and the victory put them 3-2 ahead in the contest.

However, Sameer Verma registered a come-from-behind victory over B Sai Praneeth to put Mumbai on level terms and send the match into the decider. Bengaluru's men's doubles pair then beat Kim Gi Jung and Lee Yong Dae of Mumbai Rockets 15-13 15-10 in the winners-take-all contest to seal the victory. Bengaluru have become the fifth team after Chennai Smashers, Delhi Dashers, Hyderabad Hotshots and Hyderabad Hunters to win the title.

Bengaluru Bulls lift Pro Kabaddi 2018 Cup

Pawan Sehrawat produced a raiding master class to lead Bengaluru Bulls to their maiden title as they were crowned champions of Vivo Pro Kabaddi League season 6. Sehrawat scored 22 raid points as Bengaluru Bulls beat Gujarat Fortune Giants 38-33 in a thrilling final in front of a house packed in Mumbai.

Sehrawat single handedly led Bulls to the title as he turned the match around in the second half with a terrific performance. Gujarat Fortune giants were in the match till the last five minutes and fought really hard but couldn’t contain Sehrawat. Sachin got a super 10 for Gujarat Fortune Giants but just fell short to lead his team to the title.

Bengaluru Bulls got off the mark with a tackle point as they sent Gujarat’s danger man Sachin to the bench. Prapanjan made a successful raid to give Gujarat Fortune giants their first point. Pawan Sehrawat got his point as he secured a bonus as Bengaluru Bulls tied the match at 2-2 after four minutes. It took more than six minutes for Gujarat’s famed defence to get their first tackle point. 

The first half was closely contested as after 10 minutes both teams were level at 6-6. Gujarat Fortune giants burst into life in the last five minutes as they reduced Bengaluru Bulls to lead 10-7. In the 19th minute Prapanjan made a two-point raid to inflict an all-out and give 15-9 lead. At the end of the first half, Gujarat Fortune giants led 16-9. 

Bengaluru Bulls’ defence started the second half strongly as they picked up a couple of tackle points. Gujarat though kept their noses in front till the 27th minute as they maintained a six-point lead. Pawan Sehrawat then turned the match on its head with a slew of successful raids. He picked up a couple of two-point raids including one in the 31st minute that led to Bengaluru Bulls inflicting an all-out and taking 23-22 lead.

Rohit Gulia produced a super raid for Gujarat Fortune giants in the 36th minute as they led 27-25. Pawan Sehrawat picked a couple of more points and Mahendra put in a strong tackle as Bengaluru Bulls leveled the match at 29-29 in the 37th minute. In the 39th minute Pawan Sehrawat made a two-point raid as Bengaluru Bulls inflicted a critical all out to lead 36-29.  Gujarat Fortune giants picked up a few raid points as they trailed 32-37 in the last minute. Sehrawat produced another two-point raid as Bengaluru inflicted another all out in the 39th minute as they were crowned champions for the first time.