'The Bullet' Weathers Significant Test as The Indian pioneer Creates A Landmark for India.

Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.

The Merseysider, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace.

An Eventful Battle

Bunting began in blistering fashion, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. Victory seemed assured after landing a spectacular 160 finish to seize the second set.

Nevertheless, his form dipped, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before taking it 4-2.

“Performing at Ally Pally you experience all the feelings,” Bunting stated on broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”

Kumar Makes Groundbreaking Victory

Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the championship. He beat the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.

The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from his homeland.

“Words fail me at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar stated. “If you dream it, anything is achievable. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He concluded with a humorous warning: “I’m sorry, ten years in the future if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”

Other First-Round Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won 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 fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle 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.