In a vibrant display of skill and strategy typical of the sport, the Puneri Paltan seized victory from U Mumba in the much-anticipated ‘Maha Maharashtra Derby’ at the GMCB Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, clinching a 35-28 win. Skipper Aslam Inamdar emerged as the standout player, chalking up an impressive 10 points, including a phenomenal 9 from raids. His commanding performance was complemented by Gaurav Khatri, who notched up 7 crucial tackle points, and Mohit Goyat, who contributed substantially with 9 raid points. On the opposite end, Ajit Chavan fought valiantly, securing 9 raid points for U Mumba but ultimately falling short.
The encounter kicked off with both teams exchanging early blows, a veritable tug-of-war on the mat. Aslam Inamdar showcased his prowess, weaving through defenders and toppling U Mumba players with remarkable finesse. Yet, Sunil Kumar, the stalwart defender and captain of U Mumba, retaliated brilliantly, executing a Super Tackle that saw him ensnare Pankaj Mohite with just three of his teammates left on the mat.
As the first half unfolded, the Puneri Paltan found their rhythm. Mohit Goyat joined forces with Inamdar, and together, they orchestrated a string of successful raids that culminated in the first ALL OUT of the match. This pivotal moment allowed them to build a formidable six-point lead as they strode into halftime with the scoreboard reading 22-16 in their favor.
The second half saw Gaurav Khatri attaining a well-deserved High 5 early on, further solidifying Puneri Paltan’s burgeoning lead. Still, U Mumba refused to yield, keeping the pressure alive; Amirmohammad Zafardanesh executed a critical Do-Or-Die raid to seize Pankaj Mohite, and Ajit turned the tide momentarily by ousting Abinesh Nadarajan.
Nevertheless, the Puneri Paltan remained steadfast, maintaining the upper hand throughout the contest. For every point Ajit Chavan engineered for U Mumba, the likes of Mohit Goyat and Akash Shinde were there to respond, rendering efforts largely futile. The climax of the match arrived when Mohit executed a breathtaking Super Raid, capturing Rinku, Sombir, and Ajit in one seamless sweep. This triumphant endeavor sealed the fate of the game, marking the defending champions’ fourth victory of the season, a testament to their relentless tenacity and strategic brilliance.
