In a low-scoring encounter, Ajay Kumar’s crucial point off the penultimate raid of the match helped Gujarat Giants tie 24-24 against U Mumba in Pro Kabaddi Season 8 at the Sheraton Grand, Whitefield in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Comeback man Ajay Kumar scored seven points including a tackle point while Girish Ernak managed three tackle points. Rakesh Narwal complemented Ajay with six raid points in the match.

For U Mumba, V Ajith Kumar scored eight raid points while defender Rinku scored a high 5.

Gujarat Giants made early inroads in the match as Ajay Kumar’s two-point raid helped them gain a five-point lead. After an exchange of points, Gujarat gained a slender three-point advantage to lead 13-10 at halftime.

U Mumba started the second half aggressively to bring scores to parity but some neat work by the Gujarat defence backed by crucial raids from Rakesh Narwal helped Gujarat claw their way back into the match. V Ajith Kumar’s points off successive raids enabled U Mumba to gain a narrow one-point lead with under three minutes of play left.

However, Ajay Kumar’s crucial raid point in the final minute of the game enabled Gujarat to level on points with the Season 2 champions.

During the course of the match, Ajay Kumar reached the milestone of 200 raid points in Pro Kabaddi.

The tie took Gujarat to the 10th spot in the standings with 23 points from 10 matches. Whereas U Mumba climbed to the sixth spot with 31 points from 11 outings.

Gujarat Giants play Tamil Thalaivas next on Thursday.