The Bengaluru Torpedoes had a remarkable Season 2 of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League Powered by A23 2023, finishing as the runners-up under the guidance of their new Head Coach and double Olympic medallist, David Lee. After narrowly missing out on qualification in the previous year's competition, the team showed tremendous grit and determination to make it to the final this year.
The Torpedoes' campaign began on a difficult note with a disappointing 2-3 defeat against Kolkata Thunderbolts followed by another against the Ahmedabad Defenders. Despite the setbacks, the team bounced back with three consecutive wins against Mumbai Meteors, Chennai Blitz, and Kochi Blue Spikers.
Three wins in five games, Pankaj Sharma and his team were in a commanding position. However, a loss against Hyderabad Black Hawks meant that the Torpedoes had to put in their best effort to win against Calicut Heroes. They managed to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory, and a defeat for Mumbai Meteors against Kochi Blue Spikers confirmed Bengaluru Torpedoes' spot in the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, the Torpedoes put on a glorious performance to stun the Kolkata Thunderbolts, winning convincingly 3-1. The team then advanced to the nail-biting final against Ahmedabad Defenders, where Pankaj Sharma and Co. came back from two sets down to take the finals to a decider which they unfortunately lost in a nail gripping final..
Top Performers:
The Bengaluru skipper led from the front with inspirational performances when his team needed it the most. Pankaj Sharma was especially influential in their victory in the semi-finals against Kolkata Thunderbolts.
Amassing a total of 75 points in the league’s 2023 edition, Sharma’s aggressive attacking ability and the desire to guide the team to victories resulted in these special numbers.
A debut season to be proud of! Ibin Jose played a crucial role in his team’s run to the final of the RuPay Prime Volleyball League Powered by A23 Season 2. A terrific all-round performance by the Bengaluru Torpedoes youngster earned him the Amul Kool Emerging Player of the Season award.
Jose scored a total of 78 points this season, more than any other player from his team. With a combination of 61 Attack Points, 10 Block Points and 7 Serve Points, he was a key player of the Bengaluru Torpedoes squad and surely a player to watch out for in the future.
Coach’s Corner
Top Performances:
Mumbai Meteors 1:4 Bengaluru Torpedoes
Bengaluru Torpedoes picked up their first win of the season with a thumping 4-1 victory against league debutants Mumbai Meteors. The Bulgarian powerhouse, Tsvetelin Tsvetanov, picked up the Player of the Match in a must-win game for the Bengaluru Torpedoes. This win gave the team a significant confidence boost and marked the beginning of a good set of results.
Kolkata Thunderbolts 1:3 Bengaluru Torpedoes
A thrilling 3-1 win over the 2022 season champions Kolkata Thunderbolts was a highlight performance by the team this season. Bengaluru Torpedoes went big right from the start of the game. Captain Pankaj Sharma was handed the Player of the Match award for playing a pivotal role in the important clash. A complete team display by the Torpedoes ensured that the team qualified comfortably for the final.
