The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to move into the second round of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you experience all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to come through that one.”
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He defeated Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest.
The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, implied this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“I’m lost for words at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “With belief, anything is achievable. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
