The Bengaluru Torpedoes extended their stunning unbeaten run in the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia, defeating the Chennai Blitz in a thrilling 3–1 encounter (17–15, 14–16, 17–15, 16–14) at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Monday night.
It was a contest defined by intensity, tactical adjustments, and clutch moments and once again, it was Bengaluru who rose to the occasion.
With this win, the Torpedoes made it four victories in a row, consolidating their position at the top end of the standings and asserting themselves as one of the most balanced sides of the season. Joel Benjamin led from the front and was deservedly named the Player of the Match, while the team’s collective composure under pressure once again stood out as their biggest strength. The match began with Chennai Blitz showing clear intent. Captain Jerome Vinith and Brazilian attacker Luiz Felipe Perotto were in top gear early, unleashing sharp spikes that tested Bengaluru’s defence. Setter Sameer distributed play efficiently, while Tarun Gowda provided additional attacking spark from the wings.
The Blitz raced to a narrow lead midway through the opening set, but Bengaluru refused to panic. The Torpedoes gradually found rhythm, with Joel Benjamin and Sethu combining seamlessly in attack. Their counter-attacking play, coupled with quick reflexes at the net from Mujeeb and Jishnu, began to turn the tide. When Nitin Minhas joined the action with two perfectly timed blocks, Bengaluru’s middle zone dominance became evident. The Torpedoes saved two set points and clinched the opener 17–15 after a clutch serve from Joel caught the Chennai defence flat-footed.
Blitz Bounce Back in Set Two
Chennai regrouped quickly in the second set. Their captain, Jerome Vinith, showcased why he remains one of India’s finest finishers, combining power with precision to pierce through Bengaluru’s defence. Perotto, too, began finding the lines with greater accuracy, while Aditya Rana’s presence in the middle strengthened Chennai’s block.
A few unforced errors from the Torpedoes particularly on serve allowed Chennai to sneak ahead. Setter Sameer’s variations kept Bengaluru guessing, and the Blitz capitalized on crucial points to edge the set 16–14, levelling the match at 1–1. Despite the setback, Bengaluru’s body language remained confident, a testament to coach David Lee’s calming influence from the sidelines.
The third set proved to be the turning point of the match. Bengaluru’s coordination tightened, with libero Midhunkumar producing outstanding digs and defensive covers to thwart Chennai’s high-velocity attacks. His reflexes and positioning kept rallies alive that seemed lost. At the other end, Mathew West, the Bengaluru captain and setter, orchestrated the offence brilliantly distributing the ball with sharp awareness, mixing quick sets for Sethu and high balls for Joel Benjamin. The duo’s chemistry consistently broke Chennai’s defensive rhythm.
The Blitz, though, continued to threaten through Perotto and Jerome. A series of intense exchanges saw both sides trade set points before Joel Benjamin sealed it 17–15 with a thunderous spike down the middle. His aggression and confidence under pressure once again underlined why he’s been one of the breakout stars of PVL 2025. The fourth set brought even more drama. Chennai started strongly, leading 8–5 at one stage, courtesy of sharp blocking and a few lapses from Bengaluru’s attack. But the Torpedoes mounted yet another comeback, driven by tactical substitutions and defensive discipline.
Coach David Lee’s timely challenges proved decisive both of his reviews overturned crucial points in Bengaluru’s favour, swinging momentum back their way. The experienced Penrose, who had been quiet in the early stages, found his rhythm late in the set. His calmness at key moments particularly a clever off-speed shot followed by a powerful winner helped Bengaluru inch ahead 15–14.
With the match on the line, it was again Penrose who delivered the killer blow. A precise spike off a quick set from West ended the contest at 16–14, sealing a 3–1 victory for the Torpedoes and sparking celebrations on the Bengaluru bench.
Coach’s Impact and Team Cohesion Key to Success
Bengaluru’s fourth straight victory highlights not just individual brilliance but a collective system that’s functioning with clarity and confidence. Coach David Lee, a former Olympic gold medallist, has instilled a winning mentality and tactical discipline in this young squad. From the libero to the frontcourt hitters, every player has contributed. The team’s ability to bounce back from mini-slumps within sets a sign of mental resilience has been a recurring theme this season. Their balance between aggression and patience underlines why they’ve emerged as the team to beat.
Despite the defeat, Chennai Blitz showed plenty of positives. Jerome Vinith’s leadership and consistency, coupled with Perotto’s offensive firepower, gave them several opportunities to control the match. The addition of Aditya Rana in the middle provided defensive solidity, and setter Sameer’s growing maturity continues to be a bright spot for the franchise. However, Chennai’s inability to close out tight sets a recurring issue this season once again proved costly. Still, their performance suggested that a turnaround might be on the horizon if they can tighten their blocking structure and reduce unforced errors.
With this win, Bengaluru Torpedoes move firmly into contention for a top-two finish in the league stage, having now won four matches on the trot. Their next fixture will be a crucial test against the Hyderabad Black Hawks, who have also shown solid form in recent weeks. As for Chennai, they’ll need to regroup quickly, as their playoff hopes hinge on consistency in their upcoming games.
For Bengaluru, though, the message is clear the Torpedoes are firing on all cylinders, and with Joel Benjamin and Penrose in peak form, their march toward the PVL 2025 playoffs looks unstoppable.
Final Score: Bengaluru Torpedoes def. Chennai Blitz 3–1 (17–15, 14–16, 17–15, 16–14)
Player of the Match: Joel Benjamin 🏐
