The Bengaluru Torpedoes overcame a strong challenge from Calicut Heroes to clinch a thrilling five-set victory 20-18, 20-18, 7-15, 11-15, 15-12 in the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.
The win marked Bengaluru’s third of the season and came after a rollercoaster contest that swung dramatically between the two sides. For Calicut, it was yet another heartbreak as they picked up their first point of the season but still remain winless. Shameemudheen, who was exceptional in defence and blocking, was named the Player of the Match.
The stands were buzzing not just with fans but also with the presence of Indian badminton star H.S. Prannoy, who witnessed an encounter that had everything power serves, aggressive rallies, and a dramatic final set finish.
The opening set began with Sethu T.R. leading the charge for the Torpedoes. His deft drop shots and variations in attack quickly put Calicut on the defensive. However, Calicut’s collective effort, anchored by Santosh S and Tharusha Chamath, kept them level through the mid-phase of the set. Both sides traded super points early, showcasing aggressive intent from the service line. As the tension built, Sethu’s thunderous super serve one of the highlights of the evening gave Bengaluru a narrow lead. Despite a few unforced errors, the Torpedoes’ high-tempo game and well-coordinated block formations helped them close the set 20–18.
Bengaluru Hold Nerve in Another Close Set
The second set followed a familiar pattern fast exchanges, tactical serving, and intense duels at the net. Calicut’s Sivanesan gave his team a brief edge with consistent serves that troubled the Bengaluru receivers. But the Torpedoes quickly responded, with Jalen Penrose coming alive in attack. His powerful smashes and quick transition play kept the scoreboard ticking.
The set saw multiple deuce situations as both sides struggled to break free. Bengaluru’s Santosh S found his rhythm midway, landing critical spikes to counter Tharusha’s hitting prowess for Calicut. In the decisive phase, Joel Benjamin broke through a double block with a fierce spike to clinch another tight set 20–18 in Bengaluru’s favour.
At 2–0 up, the Torpedoes looked poised for a straight-sets win, but Calicut had other ideas.
The third set marked a turning point as Calicut regrouped with renewed intensity. Tharusha Chamath, who had been quiet early on, began to dictate play from the left flank. His combination with Vikas Maan at the net added both precision and pressure. Shameemudheen’s blocking performance was the difference-maker. Reading Bengaluru’s front-line attacks superbly, he produced multiple solo and team blocks that frustrated Penrose and Benjamin. Calicut’s discipline and reduced unforced errors allowed them to establish control.
Santosh S capped off the set by converting a crucial super point, handing Calicut a comfortable 15–7 win and pulling a set back.
Heroes Force a Decider
The momentum firmly shifted in the fourth set, as Calicut built on their defensive rhythm. Shameemudheen continued to be a wall at the net, while Tharusha and Santosh used clever angles to outsmart the Bengaluru blockers. The Torpedoes, on the other hand, began to falter under the mounting pressure. Service errors at crucial junctures including two missed serves during super point opportunities allowed Calicut to stay ahead.
Bengaluru’s attempts to rebuild through quick attacks were repeatedly neutralised, and with Calicut executing perfectly-timed serves, the Heroes closed out the fourth set 15–11, forcing the match into a decisive fifth. With both teams evenly matched after four sets, the decider turned into a test of nerves. The set opened with both sides trading points in rapid succession Joel Benjamin powering through the middle for Bengaluru, while Tharusha and Shameemudheen answered for Calicut.
Every rally became a battle of attrition. Calicut’s defensive coverage was exceptional, but Bengaluru’s attackers led by Jalen Penrose began finding space with sharper cross-court hits. At 10–10, the tension inside the stadium was palpable. A crucial block by Joel Benjamin on Tharusha’s spike gave Bengaluru the slender edge. Calicut clawed back again through a quick combination play, but at 13–12, Jalen produced a thunderous spike from the right flank to set up match point.
Moments later, he sealed the deal with another powerful attack, as Bengaluru clinched the fifth set 15–12 and with it, a hard-fought 3–2 win.
What the Numbers Say, the match was a near statistical deadlock:
- Aces: Bengaluru 5, Calicut 4
- Super Points Won: 3 each
- Blocks: Calicut edged 9–8, but Bengaluru converted more attack points (56 to 52)
- Longest Rally: 21 exchanges, won by Bengaluru in the decider
While Calicut were superior defensively, their late-stage errors and missed serves at crucial junctures cost them dearly. Bengaluru’s ability to produce winners under pressure particularly from Penrose and Joel proved decisive.
For Bengaluru Torpedoes, the win showcased both resilience and squad depth. Sethu T.R. and Joel Benjamin stepped up when it mattered most, while Penrose’s late heroics underlined why he remains one of the league’s most impactful overseas players. Head Coach David Lee will take heart from how his side closed the fifth set after losing momentum mid-match an area that had previously troubled them.
For Calicut Heroes, there were plenty of positives despite the defeat. Shameemudheen’s defensive dominance, Santosh S’s consistency in attack, and Tharusha’s creative finishing showed signs of progress. However, the inability to maintain serve accuracy under pressure continues to haunt them. With this result, Bengaluru climb further up the PVL 2025 standings, strengthening their bid for a semifinal spot, while Calicut earn their first point but remain winless, still searching for that elusive breakthrough.
As the Prime Volleyball League continues in Hyderabad, the competition only intensifies and if this match was any indication, the road to the playoffs will be anything but predictable.
