Bengaluru Torpedoes Edge Calicut Heroes in a Five-Set PVL Thriller

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 16: In a pulsating contest at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru Torpedoes edged out Calicut Heroes 20-18, 20-18, 7-15, 11-15, 15-12 in a five-set thriller in the ongoing RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia. Shameemudheen of Calicut earned the Player of the Match title for his outstanding defensive display.

Among the spectators was badminton star H.S. Prannoy, who watched as Bengaluru surged ahead by winning the first two sets before Calicut mounted a spirited comeback. Ultimately, Bengaluru’s calm execution in the decisive moments sealed their victory, while Calicut gained their first point of the season.

The opening set saw Sethu T.R. masterfully directing Bengaluru’s offense with sharp drop shots and precision plays. Though Calicut kept pace, it was Sethu’s powerful super serve that closed out the set after a series of tense rallies.

In another deuce-heavy second set, Sivanesan’s serves put Calicut ahead before Jalen Penrose and Joel Benjamin swung momentum back. Benjamin’s final strike through a double block gave Bengaluru a two-set cushion.

Calicut refused to fade. Tharusha Chamath inspired the third-set recovery, with Vikas Maan ruling the net. Shameemudheen’s towering blocks and Santosh S.’s conversion of the super point gave Calicut a lifeline. They carried that rhythm into the fourth set, exploiting Bengaluru’s service lapses to level the match.

The final set saw end-to-end rallies. Joel and Jalen powered Bengaluru’s attack, while Tharusha and Shameemudheen kept Calicut alive. But in the tense closing moments, Jalen Penrose’s decisive spike sealed the Torpedoes’ victory, capping a memorable evening of high-intensity volleyball.