With their semi-final spot already booked, the Kolkata Thunderbolts, partnered by The Telegraph My Kolkata, could have been forgiven for taking it lightly against the Kochi Blue Spikers in the final round-robin game of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League (PVL). But Kolkata were in no mood to mess around in Hyderabad on Wednesday evening and rounded off their group-stage campaign with a comfortable 3-2 victory against the Blue Spikers.
The result means that the Thunderbolts finish second in the league table and will square off against third-placed Calicut in the second semi-final on Friday. Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Defenders, who topped the table, will go head-to-head against the Hyderabad Black Hawks on Thursday to become the first PVL finalists.
Vinit Kumar at his stupendous best
Vinit Kumar is finding his best form just as the tournament enters its most critical phase Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
Peaking at the right time is crucial for the best players in a tournament, for they want to hit top form just as the competition enters its business end. This is precisely what is happening with Vinit Kumar, who put in another man-of-the-match display against Kochi to illustrate why he is consistently regarded as India’s finest Universal.
In the decisive fourth set, Kumar was irrepressible, coming up with spike after spike to tilt the match Kolkata’s way. His incredible arm speed combined with his ferocious leap proved too hot to handle for Kochi, who lost an important super point at 7-10 and never looked like coming back into the set. Kolkata eventually took the fourth set by 15-8 to seal their fourth win out of six.
Kolkata always in control
Kochi had their moments, but Kolkata were far too compact to ever be seriously threatened by the Blue Spikers Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
The match, Kochi’s last this season, had begun on the wrong foot for Kolkata. Cody Caldwell’s service accuracy alongside his teammates’ greater composure in blocks had helped the men in blue draw first blood by claiming the opening set by 15-13. Kolkata, however, bounced back quickly, drawing level in the second with Matthew August very much in his groove.
The third set, as is often the case with the Thunderbolts, was won with the combined brilliance of Kumar and skipper Ashwal Rai, both of whom hit multiple wonderful spikes to put Kolkata ahead in the game. The turning point of the set, and arguably the match, arrived when Kolkata clinched a super point at 9-11 to seize the momentum.
The fifth and final set went the way of the Blue Spikers as they won consecutive super points to exit the PVL on a high Courtesy: Kolkata Thunderbolts
Over the next two sets, Thunderbolts coach Sunny Joseph would have been heartened to see the delicate touch play of setter Janshad U, who even managed to produce a surprise winner in the fifth. Ian Satterfiled, who was in the reserves, got court time in the fifth set and made merry with a thunderous winner, before pointing at the tireless Pawan Kumar Patodia, co-owner of the Thunderbolts, in the stands.
Although consecutive super points closed out the fifth set in favour of Kochi, the Thunderbolts had done enough by then to revive the good vibes ahead of their all-important knockout clash.
Promised land beckons
With a day off before the semi-final against Calicut, Kolkata are well aware that they have entered the territory of sudden death in the PVL. One big mistake could see them knocked out just as one big winner can take them closer to lifting the championship.
Ahead of the game against the Blue Spikers, Thunderbolts’s mentor Abhijit Bhattacharya had told The Telegraph My Kolkata that “the team doesn’t overthink results, but focuses on the process. Most importantly, the players try to enjoy their time with each other on court”.
Should this spirit of enjoyment continue against Calicut, it is difficult to imagine a final on Sunday without Kolkata. The Thunderbolts already have a psychological advantage over Calicut having beaten them in the round-robin stage, and with their service game better than ever, Rai and Co. will start as favourites on paper.
All that remains to be seen is whether Kolkata can convert their momentum into another comprehensive performance on Friday. If they succeed, the promised land of glory will just be one step away.
