Hyderabad, Oct 17 – In a decisive opening match of Prime Volleyball League (PVL) Season 4, the defending champions Calicut Heroes triumphed over the Kolkata Thunderbolts 15‑10, 15‑11, 15‑12 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. Mohan Ukkrapandian earned Player‑of‑the‑Match honors after orchestrating a smooth offense and setting up key attacks for the Heroes.
The game began with strong service pressure from Ashok Bishnoi that gave Calicut an early edge. Calicut’s Shameemudheen stole the show with solid blocks on Ashwal Rai’s attacks and power plays from the middle zone. Meanwhile, Kolkata’s import Matin Takavar rattled back the pressure with powerful spikes, but service errors let the Heroes regain momentum.
Set after set, Calicut’s teamwork shone. Captain and setter Mohan Ukkrapandian delivered crisp passes to Santhosh, who powered relentless attacks. The pair of Vikas Maan and Shameem formed a formidable block line that made it hard for Kolkata’s hitters to find gaps. When the Heroes’ servers faltered and Kolkata tried a comeback, Pankaj Sharma’s cross‑body spike landed wide, giving Calicut a 2‑0 lead. Shameem’s defense then shut down Kolkata’s main attacker Rahul K, sealing the first two sets.
Kolkata’s Rao Jithin, the reserve setter, could not convert the opportunities into points as Calicut’s defense did not allow real lapses. Consistent attacks from Santhosh and Tharusha Chamath pushed the Heroes to a 3‑0 sweep, earning all three points in the best‑of‑five format.
After this victory, a sharp contrast emerged in the PVL schedule. Bengaluru Torpedoes, who edged out Calicut in a five‑set thriller previously, will look to keep that winning streak going as they face the home side Hyderabad Black Hawks on Saturday. The Torpedoes clinched a 20‑18, 20‑18, 7‑15, 11‑15, 15‑12 win over Calicut, led by Sethu and Joel Benjamin, with the team’s composure in the climactic fifth set proving decisive.
Hyderabad’s hosts come in on a high after a convincing 3‑1 win over Goa Guardians. Brazilian attacker Yudi Yamamoto spearheaded the Black Hawks’ offense, while Sahil Kumar dazzled at the net with an all‑round display.
The PVL’s early matches highlight the competitive spirit of the league’s top teams. Calicut’s dominant performance positions them as a serious title contender, while Bengaluru’s victory over a defending champion shows their growing power. Hyderabad’s Black Hawks are set to use their home‑court advantage to maintain momentum. Fans can expect more thrilling matches as the season progresses, with strong action from the league’s standout players and teams.
Source: ianslive
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