🔗 Share this article 'The Bullet' Endures Huge Test as The Indian pioneer Secures History for Indian Darts. Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to progress into the next stage of the prestigious tournament on the opening weekend. Bunting, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue. A Rollercoaster Match Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set. Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This let Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2. “Competing at Ally Pally you experience all the feelings,” Bunting explained to broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to come through that one.” Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Victory Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the event. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest. The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland. “Words fail me today. I’m ecstatic, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “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 down the line if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.” Additional First-Round Results Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a one-sided 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg. Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory. Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline. Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he comfortably defeated Bradley Brooks 3-0. Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman 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.