Stephen Bunting Weathers Significant Fright as The Indian pioneer Makes History for India.

The tournament's fourth seed edged through a tense battle to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on Sunday.

Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.

A Turbulent Encounter

Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 to power through the first set. Victory seemed assured after landing a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.

However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still taken to the wire before securing it 4-2.

“Performing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”

Kumar Creates Historic Win

Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who created a landmark by becoming the pioneering Indian at the event. He overcame Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.

The 40-year-old, who had been defeated in all four of his previous first-round matches, remarked this landmark win could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from India.

“I don’t know at this moment. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” said Kumar. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

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

Additional Opening Day Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an strong start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
• Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, dashed the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
• Dom Taylor: The other newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 scoreline.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
• Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
• James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.