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After trailing 9-16 at half-time, Bengaluru Bulls beat Gujarat Fortunegiants 38-33 to win their maiden Pro Kabaddi League title in Mumbai on Saturday, 5 January.
Adjudged the Most Valuable Player of season, Pawan Sehrawat starred in the finale, scoring 22 out of Bengaluru’s 38 points. He singlehandedly led Bulls to the title, turning the match around in the second half with a terrific performance. Sachin got a super 10 for Gujarat Fortunegiants 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. The first half was closely contested as after 10 minutes both teams were level at 6-6. Gujarat Fortunegiants 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 Fortunegiants 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 Gulua produced a super raid for Gujarat Fortunegiants in the 36th minute as they led 27-25.
In the 39th minute Pawan Sehrawat made a two-point raid as Bengaluru Bulls inflicted a critical all out to lead 36-29. Gujarat Fortunegiants 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.
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