Forget cricket god Sachin Tendulkar. India’s new slinger joins Darts superstar Nitin Kumar, who made a name for himself at the World Darts Championship.
Kumar created history on stage at Alexandra Palace by beating Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 and setting up an exciting showdown with world number four Stephen Bunting to become India’s first winner.
The 40-year-old had lost all four of their previous first-round encounters, but his win saw him advance to the last 64 of the competition and face ‘The Bullet’ on Saturday.
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“Anything is possible if you dream it,” Nitin Kumar said after defeating Richard Veenstra in the first round of the World Championship.
Kumar, nicknamed ‘Royal Bengal’, said, “I have been playing for 30 years and my dream has always been to become a world champion.
“My blood pressure is so high I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack. I love it.”
Kumar is now hoping to inspire a generation after India’s historic victory. “I opened the floodgates to billions of people. I’m sorry. If in 10 years there are eight people listening to Bollywood music at the World Championships, don’t blame me. It’s happening!”
The Indian cult hero had a local pub playing darts in his victory over Veenstra, but he didn’t stop there as he prepared to face Bunting. Who survived a great horror to overcome Sebastian Bialecki.
Dubai, the hotbed of darts
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Look how Kumar beat Veenstra in the first round…
“I play in a lot of local tournaments in Dubai, where I work. My average performance there is good, but no one sees that. Match practice has had an impact on me, but it’s different on the World Championship stage. It’s different at Ally Pally.”
Dubai has become a thriving darts hub with foreigners now enjoying the sport thanks to the Luke Littler effect.
Kumar said. “I play darts three to four days a week. I should be there working and saving money, but I can’t do that. I just play darts all the time.”
“There are a lot of expats, a lot of Asians, Filipinos, Scots, English, a lot of great players. It’s fun because ex-players come every weekend and mop the floor with me.”
Sky Sports Darts’ Laura Turner was impressed by the way Kumar maintained his composure despite a five-ton checkout from his Dutch opponent.
“It’s about the story that is being created here at Alexandra Palace,” she said. “It’s sure to stay in our memories for quite some time.”
“What impressed me the most was Nitin Kumar. He had won only one set before, and that came in his fifth attempt last year.
“But it was the best stage version of Kumar I have ever seen. He maintained high standards and excellent finishing.
“And the fact that he was able to keep his composure and get over the line even though he had big finishes coming at him was even more impressive.”
Kumar wants to focus on improving his performance ahead of the clash with two-time semi-finalists Bunting. “Lightning never strikes the same place twice,” he said. “I’ll take the positives, but I know I need to be more consistent in the triples. Whoever I face next time, that’s what I’ll be working on.”
Bunting: I am the people’s champion.
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Highlights of the first round match between Stephen Bunting and Sebastian Bialecki at the World Darts Championship
Despite the overwhelming support for Kumar, Bunting expects the majority of the crowd will still be on his side.
“I’m Stephen Bunting. I’m the people’s champion. Whatever happens, they’re all going to Bunting Mental,” the St Helens bowler said.
“The crowd is amazing. I think I have close to 100,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel, but I’m just a normal person. I like being able to relate to the crowd and give people back to my normality.”
“If that’s the case (and the crowd is against me) I’ll have to deal with that, but to be honest, I can’t see that happening.
“No matter who I play, I played Luke Littler on this stage last year and the whole crowd was on my side, I believe I have the best fan base in darts.
“I have the best social media in darts, I have the best management in darts. I have the best family in darts. The only thing I lack is the World Championships, and that’s coming up this year.”
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Veenstra produced this stunning finish to save the third set before claiming victory over Kumar…
The only previous meeting between Bunting and Kumar came in January this year at the Bahrain Darts Masters, where Bunting won 6-2 over legs and said he “loves Kumar to bits”.
“Nitin is a fantastic player. What he has done for Indian darts is exceptional. I have known him for quite some time and we played against each other in Bahrain. Luckily, I was able to win that game,” Bunting said.
“But the World Championships are so different. I’m really looking forward to playing. He got the crowd on his side in the first round. I’m sure the crowd will be on their toes when he plays next week.”
speaking behind the body“The impact he had on him and Indian darts was unbelievable. It was a brilliant moment,” said Glenn Durant.
“Bunting has to show some humility, but it takes two hard-hitting walk-ons.”
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky Channel 407 from December 10 until January 3). Stream darts and other top sports with NOW.
