Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Oct 5: Bengaluru Torpedoes pulled off another remarkable comeback on Sunday, defeating the Kolkata Thunderbolts 11-15, 15-13, 15-11, 15-11 in a high-octane clash at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad during Season 4 of the Prime Volleyball League (PVL). Joel Benjamin’s explosive performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Kolkata started strong with Ashwal Rai and Iranian middle blocker Matin Takavar forming a solid defensive wall, frustrating Bengaluru’s early attacks. Matin’s powerful serves and a tight defensive setup gave Kolkata the edge in the first set.

But the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Jalen Penrose and Sethu launched a fierce counterattack for the Torpedoes, with Joel Benjamin’s spike during a crucial super point tipping the scales. As Joel grew into the game, Bengaluru found their rhythm and began to dominate rallies.

Suryansh Tomar tried to claw Kolkata back with aerial attacks, but the Torpedoes’ defense held firm. Mujeeb’s back-to-back blocks during super points further pushed Bengaluru ahead. A thunderous serve from Penrose sealed the momentum late in the game, and despite Pankaj Sharma’s valiant efforts for Kolkata, the Torpedoes held on for a well-deserved win.

This marked Bengaluru’s second straight victory of the season, following their earlier five-set thriller against the Goa team. In that match, Penrose had starred again, while skipper Matt West directed the offense with finesse.

For Kolkata, it was a disappointing debut, despite a promising lineup featuring Colombian outside hitter Sebastian Gomez and Matin Takavar. Their combination of aerial power and tactical defense looked strong early on, but Bengaluru’s grit and late-match surge proved decisive.

With back-to-back wins, the Torpedoes have announced themselves as serious contenders this season, blending explosive attack with strategic composure under pressure.