🔗 Share this article Stephen Bunting Endures Huge Scare as 'The Royal Bengal' Creates History for Indian Darts. Stephen Bunting edged through a tense battle to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend. Bunting, who reached losing semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before securing a hard-fought victory at Alexandra Palace. A Turbulent Battle Bunting made a flying start, posting a superb 119.4 en route to powering through the opening set. Victory seemed assured after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set. However, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp landed on his shoulder – to square the match. Bunting regained his composure 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 feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he kept fighting. I am lucky to come through that one.” Kumar Secures Groundbreaking Win Bunting's next opponent will be Nitin Kumar, who made history by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest. The 40-year-old, who had lost in all four of his prior first-round appearances, suggested this landmark win could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from India. “Words fail me today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “With belief, 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, ten years from now if you have multiple players in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.” Other First-Round Results Darren Beveridge: The Scotland's debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg. Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended 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 identical 3-0 scoreline. Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0. Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1. James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.