The Mumbai Meteors continued their dominant form in the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia, defeating the defending champions Calicut Heroes in straight sets 15-9, 15-8, 15-12 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday.
The win not only maintained Mumbai’s perfect record this season but also sent a strong message to the rest of the league. Amit Gulia, Mumbai’s captain and on-court leader, was named Player of the Match for his commanding performance. From the very first serve, Mumbai exuded confidence and control. The Meteors’ ability to convert defensive stability into attacking momentum once again stood out. Calicut, known for their compact structure and strong middle play, tried to dictate the early exchanges through their experienced setter and captain Mohan Ukkrapandian, who attempted to draw Mumbai’s blockers by distributing the ball across zones.
However, Mumbai’s frontline, anchored by Abhinav Salar, quickly neutralized those attempts. Salar’s precise reading of the game and well-timed blocks made it difficult for Calicut to find attacking rhythm, particularly through their main hitter Dete Bosco, who was constantly challenged by Mumbai’s strong defensive wall.
An early double touch by Ukkrapandian handed Mumbai a super point, giving them the lead and momentum. From that point, the Meteors never looked back. Their attack, led by Shubham Chaudhary, struck with ruthless efficiency. Chaudhary’s powerful spikes from both wings left Calicut’s defenders scrambling, while Mathias Loftesnes, the Norwegian outside hitter, provided variety with his angled placements and deep serves.
The first set ended 15-9 in Mumbai’s favor a scoreline that reflected both their precision and Calicut’s uncharacteristic unforced errors.
Calicut Struggle to Settle, Mumbai Tighten Grip
The second set followed a similar pattern. Calicut looked to regroup, with Ukkrapandian trying to bring Santhosh and Vikas Maan into the attack to add width and unpredictability. For a brief phase, their rhythm seemed to return, as Santhosh delivered two consecutive spikes to narrow the gap. But Mumbai’s balance across the court soon tilted the contest again.
Setter Ashwin Rai orchestrated Mumbai’s play with poise, seamlessly switching between short quicks and long sets to keep Calicut guessing. His coordination with Amit Gulia was particularly effective — Gulia often found gaps in Calicut’s formation with well-timed dumps and deceptive second-touch attacks.
The Heroes’ defense, usually one of their strengths, faltered repeatedly under Mumbai’s relentless serving pressure. Dete Bosco, despite being Calicut’s standout performer, couldn’t find consistent support from his teammates. Calicut’s passing struggled under the weight of Mumbai’s aggressive serves and tactical placements. Mumbai closed the second set 15-8, asserting complete control. By this stage, their attack efficiency and defensive coordination had left the defending champions with few answers.
Gulia Leads by Example
The third set saw a more spirited fightback from Calicut. Vikas Maan began finding success down the middle, while Santhosh and Bosco combined for some sharp cross-court finishes. Calicut led briefly at 6-5, raising hopes of a comeback. But Amit Gulia’s leadership once again steadied the ship for Mumbai. His composure under pressure was evident as he rotated players effectively, ensuring energy levels and focus remained high. Gulia himself contributed key points one powerful spike down the line and another clever tip over the block to help Mumbai regain momentum.
As the set wore on, Mumbai’s superior fitness and tactical awareness came to the fore. Salar continued to dominate at the net, and Chaudhary’s consistency ensured Calicut couldn’t build any momentum. A crucial late block from Loftesnes put Mumbai within touching distance of victory, before Gulia sealed the match with a precise spike that bisected Calicut’s backline.
Mumbai claimed the third set 15-12, completing another straight-set win their third consecutive 3–0 result of the season.
With this result, the Mumbai Meteors cemented their status as the team to beat in PVL 2025. Their perfect blend of experience, tactical discipline, and fearless attacking has set them apart from the rest of the league. Gulia’s leadership continues to be the cornerstone of their success, while the team’s balanced squad depth ensures that momentum rarely dips, even during challenging phases.
What stood out once again was Mumbai’s collective cohesion. Every player executed their role with precision — from Salar’s imposing net presence and Ashwin’s intelligent setting to Chaudhary’s all-around dynamism and Loftesnes’ measured aggression.
Speaking after the match, Amit Gulia credited his team’s unity for their unbeaten run:
“We’ve been training hard on staying composed in every situation. It’s not just about individual brilliance it’s how we play together as one unit. Every match in this league is tough, and today’s win was about sticking to our plan and trusting each other.”
Calicut’s Struggles Continue
For Calicut Heroes, this defeat highlighted familiar issues inconsistency in reception and a lack of composure in key moments. As defending champions, they entered the season with high expectations, but their inability to close crucial rallies has proven costly. While Bosco and Maan continue to show flashes of quality, Calicut’s bench depth and defensive reliability will need addressing if they hope to turn their season around.
Head coach Ruben Wolochin admitted post-match that unforced errors were decisive:
“Mumbai capitalized on every small mistake. We started well, but our passing and decision-making under pressure let us down. We have the talent; now we need to bring more consistency and focus.”
With this win, Mumbai Meteors moved to the top of the PVL table, having dropped no sets so far in the tournament. Their form has been reminiscent of champions confident, structured, and ruthless when it matters most. Calicut, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next fixture to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As the Prime Volleyball League 2025 heats up in Hyderabad, Mumbai’s perfect record and polished performances make them early favorites to lift the title but in a league as competitive as PVL, momentum can shift quickly. For now, though, the Meteors look unstoppable.
