Big players crave to seize big moments in big games. With the fourth set between the Kolkata Thunderbolts, partnered by The Telegraph My Kolkata, and the Ahmedabad Defenders locked at 14-14, the biggest moment of them all was there to be seized.
As Ashwal Rai rose to meet the ball, he knew that a successful spike would clinch a semi-final spot for his team. However, in keeping with the trend for most of the match, Rai and Kolkata fell short. As Rai's spike landed out of play, the Defenders erupted in ecstasy. They had become the first team to make it to the semis of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League (PVL).
The Thunderbolts missed out on a golden chance on Saturday evening to secure a spot in the knockout rounds Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
Error-prone Thunderbolts their own worst enemies
Errors were the story of the day for the Thunderbolts, with a total of 29 unforced mistakes leaving Sunny Joseph's men with too much ground to make up against the ruthlessly efficient Ahmedabad Defenders.
Ahmedabad were the more disciplined team on the evening and made far fewer mistakes than the Thunderbolts Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
In a furiously contested fourth set, which is a definite contender for set of the tournament, Vinit Kumar seemed to have given Kolkata the edge with his powerful spikes. But man-of-the-match Shon T John had other ideas and it was his super point that brought the Defenders back into contention, before Rai's misplaced spike eventually cost the Thunderbolts both the set and the match.
The Thunderbolts had begun the game in style with Matthew August’s super block and Rahul Ramesh K’s super spike handing them the initiative in the opening set. Rai then went on a rampage to create daylight between the two teams, before consecutive super points went the way of the Thunderbolts to hand them the first set by a commanding 15-7.
Shon T John was on a roll against the Thunderbolts, especially in the third and fourth sets Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
Kolkata, however, could not capitalise on their sensational start and capitulated in the second set, with a mixture of faulty service and ineffective blocking giving the Defenders a way back into the match. The third set quickly became the Shon T John show, as the spirited spiker proved unblockable, puncturing Kolkata’s progress in the process.
When Shon T John was not producing explosive winners, Manoj LM and an indefatigable Angamuthu were holding fort to keep the Defenders ahead. After Rai gave Kolkata some hope by bagging another super point, it was the Defenders who closed out the third set at 15-13 following an impressive rally.
Kolkata still have everything to play for in their final round robin match against the Kochi Blue Spikers Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
Consolation and contemplation
With the result a foregone conclusion, the Thunderbolts came back in the fifth set to reduce the margin of defeat and maintain a good set ratio, which could prove to be the difference in the race for semi-final spots. Rai was once again instrumental as a distracted Ahmedabad slowed down considerably to concede the final set 10-15.
Ahead of their last match against the Kochi Blue Spikers on Wednesday, the equation continues to be straightforward for the Thunderbolts. Win and a place in the semi-finals is guaranteed. Lose and they cease to control their destiny. While there is a slim chance that the Thunderbolts could actually seal qualification into the last four ahead of their next game should other results go their way, Rai and Co. will still be desperate to return to winning ways against the Spikers.
After a hat-trick of victories, back-to-back defeats have derailed the Thunderbolts somewhat. Their service problems are back, along with serious doubts about blocking at the net. The form of key men like Matthew August has also been suspect.
But with plenty of volleyball still left to be played in the PVL, Kolkata will know that they still have a lot more to offer. This is a team that has the fortitude to weather the storms and come out on top. Many more big moments will be up for play, and sooner or later, Kolkata’s big guns will hope to seize them.
