<p>The Bengaluru Bulls’ homecoming began on a disappointing note here at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Saturday.</p>.<p>The defending champions of the Pro Kabaddi League received a vociferous welcome from the near-capacity crowd but they failed to produce a winning show against Gujarat Fortunegiants. In the clash of last year’s finalists, the Gujarat unit thumped Bengaluru 32-23.</p>.<p>Rohit Kumar and Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, two of the best raiders of the league, flopped against a solid Gujarat defence. The duo bagged just six points (three each) and that told Bengaluru’s story.</p>.<p>In a fine team work from the Fortunegiants, raiders GB More (5 points) and Sachin (5) were the standout performers. Gujarat’s coach Neer Gulia, praised his team’s collective effort.</p>.<p>“We are under pressure to make the playoffs and every match is crucial. Team work always gives you positive results and these kind of performances lift your confidence,” said Gulia.</p>.<p>Keeping Pawan silent throughout the match played a big factor in Gujarat’s win. The gifted raider appeared as if he was troubled by an ankle issue but credit must go to Fortunegiants’ defence, which was very calculative.</p>.<p>“Pawan is known for picking a point in every raid. He hardly does an empty raid. But Gujarat has always tasted success against such players. He is a master at inside raiding and we were prepared for it,” Gulia said. Having succumbed to their fifth defeat in seven games, the Bulls next face Tamil Thalaivas on Sunday.</p>.<p>Bengaluru enjoyed a two-point lead early on but it was More who pulled things level to 9-9 for Gujarat with two brilliant raids. With six minutes left for the first-half to end, the Fortunegiants took out Pawan and surged to 14-10 lead.</p>.<p>To make matters worse for Bengaluru, their opponents inflicted an All Out in the dying moments of first-half. Gujarat walked into the break leading 18-2.</p>.<p>Courtesy two Super Tackles, fashioned by Mahender Singh and Nandal, the Bulls clawed their way back into the game. Both teams adopted a defensive approach as the clock kept ticking away.</p>.<p>Down 22-24, Bulls erred to give away two points on Sachin’s Do-or-Die raid and that virtually ended the home team’s chances. Rubbing salt into Bulls’ wounds, Gujarat inflicted the second All Out and won the contest in style.</p>.<p>The Bulls’ dependence on Rohit and Pawan cost them dear.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">U Mumba win big</p>.<p>In another match, U Mumba drubbed arch-rivals Jaipur Pink Panthers 47-21.</p>
<p>The Bengaluru Bulls’ homecoming began on a disappointing note here at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Saturday.</p>.<p>The defending champions of the Pro Kabaddi League received a vociferous welcome from the near-capacity crowd but they failed to produce a winning show against Gujarat Fortunegiants. In the clash of last year’s finalists, the Gujarat unit thumped Bengaluru 32-23.</p>.<p>Rohit Kumar and Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, two of the best raiders of the league, flopped against a solid Gujarat defence. The duo bagged just six points (three each) and that told Bengaluru’s story.</p>.<p>In a fine team work from the Fortunegiants, raiders GB More (5 points) and Sachin (5) were the standout performers. Gujarat’s coach Neer Gulia, praised his team’s collective effort.</p>.<p>“We are under pressure to make the playoffs and every match is crucial. Team work always gives you positive results and these kind of performances lift your confidence,” said Gulia.</p>.<p>Keeping Pawan silent throughout the match played a big factor in Gujarat’s win. The gifted raider appeared as if he was troubled by an ankle issue but credit must go to Fortunegiants’ defence, which was very calculative.</p>.<p>“Pawan is known for picking a point in every raid. He hardly does an empty raid. But Gujarat has always tasted success against such players. He is a master at inside raiding and we were prepared for it,” Gulia said. Having succumbed to their fifth defeat in seven games, the Bulls next face Tamil Thalaivas on Sunday.</p>.<p>Bengaluru enjoyed a two-point lead early on but it was More who pulled things level to 9-9 for Gujarat with two brilliant raids. With six minutes left for the first-half to end, the Fortunegiants took out Pawan and surged to 14-10 lead.</p>.<p>To make matters worse for Bengaluru, their opponents inflicted an All Out in the dying moments of first-half. Gujarat walked into the break leading 18-2.</p>.<p>Courtesy two Super Tackles, fashioned by Mahender Singh and Nandal, the Bulls clawed their way back into the game. Both teams adopted a defensive approach as the clock kept ticking away.</p>.<p>Down 22-24, Bulls erred to give away two points on Sachin’s Do-or-Die raid and that virtually ended the home team’s chances. Rubbing salt into Bulls’ wounds, Gujarat inflicted the second All Out and won the contest in style.</p>.<p>The Bulls’ dependence on Rohit and Pawan cost them dear.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">U Mumba win big</p>.<p>In another match, U Mumba drubbed arch-rivals Jaipur Pink Panthers 47-21.</p>