'The Bullet' Weathers Significant Fright as Nitin Kumar Secures History for Indian Darts.
The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to progress into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday.
'The Bullet', who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Encounter
Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after landing a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.
Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to get away with that one.”
Kumar Creates Historic Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I don’t know at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “Dream big, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, don’t blame me.”
Further First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
