🔗 Share this article The Merseyside thrower Survives Major Test as The Indian pioneer Makes A Landmark for India. The 2024 semi-finalist narrowly avoided an early exit to advance into the second round of the world darts championship on Sunday. 'The Bullet', who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue. A Rollercoaster 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 seize the second set. Yet, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting steadied himself in the final set, but was still taken to the wire before taking it 4-2. “Competing at Ally Pally you go through all the emotions,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am lucky to come through that one.” Kumar Creates Landmark Win Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the initial victor from India at the tournament. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a closely-fought contest. The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, implied this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India. “I don’t know at this moment. I’m emotional, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I watched Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.” He added with a light-hearted warning: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Indian film songs, you know who started it.” Further First-Round Action Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg. Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory. Dom Taylor: The other newcomer defeated Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin. 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.