The Bengaluru Torpedoes displayed remarkable resilience and tactical sharpness to defeat defending champions Ahmedabad Defenders 10-15, 15-11, 15-13, 15-13 in the second semifinal of the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Friday.
Sandeep’s outstanding all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award as the Torpedoes booked their spot in the final against the Mumbai Meteors. The championship clash is set for Sunday, October 26, promising a thrilling showdown between two of PVL 2025’s most balanced teams. Ahmedabad began the semifinal with authority, quickly asserting themselves through Nandhagopal’s aggressive play and Angamuthu’s commanding presence at the net. Their defensive structure was well-organized, cutting off Bengaluru’s early attacks.
Jalen Penrose, however, made his mark immediately for Bengaluru, firing a few sharp spikes to keep the Torpedoes in contention. Sethu added service pressure, but Angamuthu’s decisive block on him earned Ahmedabad a crucial super point, helping them take the first set 15-10 and seize early control. Trailing a set down, Bengaluru responded with determination. Middle blocker Mujeeb was introduced more actively into play, and his explosive attacks helped relieve pressure on Penrose. The momentum shifted when Sethu produced a superb super serve that brought the Torpedoes back into rhythm.
Setter Sandeep began dictating the tempo with intelligent distribution, finding Penrose and Joel Benjamin in ideal attacking positions. As the set progressed, Sethu’s ability to exploit tiny defensive gaps on Ahmedabad’s side became pivotal. Supported by libero Midhunkumar’s strong backcourt defence, Bengaluru equalized with a 15-11 win in the second set a crucial confidence boost.
The third set turned into a tense battle of nerves. Ahmedabad captain Muthusamy Appavu tried to reassert control from the middle, but Penrose’s relentless attacking and Sandeep’s precision passing kept Bengaluru ahead. A key moment came when Jishnu delivered a vital block against Batsuuri, earning Bengaluru a super point that tilted the balance. Joel Benjamin’s smart positioning and subtle touches at the net frustrated Ahmedabad, forcing their blockers into errors. Despite the Defenders’ late push, Bengaluru closed the third set 15-13 to move within one step of the final.
Composed Finish Seals Bengaluru’s Victory
The fourth set mirrored the intensity of the third. Ahmedabad looked to regroup through Muthusamy and Nandhagopal, but their attacks found limited success against Bengaluru’s disciplined defence. Penrose continued to serve with menace, drawing errors from the Defenders’ receivers. Jishnu once again proved decisive with a crucial block on Batsuuri, securing another super point for the Torpedoes. Setter Sandeep maintained his composure, mixing quick sets and deceptive passes that kept Ahmedabad guessing. Joel Benjamin then rose to the occasion, delivering a powerful spike that sealed the set 15-13 and with it, Bengaluru’s ticket to the grand finale.
For the Bengaluru Torpedoes, this win marked a statement of intent a blend of composure under pressure and clinical execution at key moments. Sandeep’s consistency, Penrose’s firepower, and Jishnu’s defensive brilliance formed the backbone of their comeback. Ahmedabad, on the other hand, will rue missed chances after a strong start. Despite flashes of brilliance from Nandhagopal and Angamuthu, they struggled to sustain momentum against a confident Bengaluru side.
As the dust settles on a dramatic semifinal night, attention now shifts to the grand finale on Sunday Bengaluru Torpedoes vs Mumbai Meteors, two teams peaking at the right time and promising a fitting end to the 2025 PVL season.
