PVL 2025, Season 4, Match 31: Kolkata Thunderbolts Shine Bright with 3–1 Diwali Victory Over Hyderabad Black Hawks

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 23: The Kolkata Thunderbolts lit up Diwali night with a commanding 15–9, 15–13, 9–15, 15–13 victory over hosts Hyderabad Black Hawks in the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia — Season 4 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, on Monday. Pankaj Sharma delivered a standout performance to earn the Player of the Match award. With this win, the Thunderbolts climbed to sixth place on the table with nine points.

Team Director Sumedh Patodia expressed his satisfaction with the team’s renewed form, commending Head Coach Naser Shahnazi and the players for “working in overdrive mode” to bounce back stronger.

The Hawks started on the front foot, with setter Preet Karan distributing precise passes to Sahil Kumar and Yudi Yamamoto, keeping Kolkata’s defence on its toes. But Pankaj Sharma and Muhammad Iqbal formed a solid defensive wall, blocking Hyderabad’s attacks with precision and composure.

Kolkata’s defence looked razor-sharp, denying the Hawks any easy breakthroughs. A mistimed spike from Yudi Yamamoto handed Kolkata a crucial super point, helping the Thunderbolts seize the early momentum — and ultimately, the match.

Jithin orchestrated Kolkata’s tactics with precision, allowing Ashwal Rai and Matin Takavar to execute powerful attacking plays. Iqbal’s dominant presence in the middle provided defensive stability as Kolkata tightened its grip on the match.

Hyderabad made tactical adjustments, bringing in John Joseph, Guru Prashanth, and Paulo Lamounier. Paulo’s crucial block on Pankaj ignited the home crowd as momentum shifted briefly. Niyas Abdul Salam rediscovered his rhythm, while John’s sharp block on Rahul secured a vital super point, helping the Hawks clinch the third set and reopen the contest.

In the fourth set, Lamounier set the pace for Hyderabad’s attacks, but Pankaj and Ashwal responded with powerful cross-court strikes to relieve the pressure. Kolkata regained control after winning a key super point. Rahul’s thunderous spike earned another crucial point, and when Shikar missed his shot from the middle, the Thunderbolts sealed a sensational 3–1 victory.

CA Pawan Kumar Patodia, Chairman & Principal Owner of the Thunderbolts, said, “The boys have given me the best Diwali gift I could imagine, keeping us alive as strong contenders in the league for the playoffs!”

At the post-match presentation, captain Ashwal Rai shared a heartfelt message with the fans: “Diwali is a happy occasion, and we wish to send our best wishes to all of you in the stadium and those watching at home — Happy Diwali!”

The Thunderbolts will next face the Delhi Toofans in their final league-stage encounter on October 22, 2025, a decisive match that will determine their fate in the race for the Semifinals.