Chennai-Odisha, Gujarat-Mumbai play thrilling ties: Ultimate Kho Kho

Tuesday’s Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack resulted in ties as lightning struck twice. Gujarat Giants versus Mumbai Khiladis ended 26-26 following the conclusion of the second consecutive tie between Chennai Quick Guns and Odisha Juggernauts. According to a UKK press release, the latter outcome saw Gujarat Giants mount an incredible comeback in the last quarter as they guarded a slim seven-point lead.

In the first innings, there wasn’t much separating the Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Khiladis; in fact, their statistics were identical to each other. The Mumbai Khiladis scored three dream run points, while the Gujarat Giants launched an offensive and scored ten points, including two skydive points. The Mumbai Khiladis then managed ten points in turn two, including two skydive points, but gave up three dream run points to their rivals. In turn three, the Mumbai Khiladis had the advantage in the match. The Gujarat Giants’ attack was frustrated by their initial group of Aniket Pote, Subhasis Santra, and Dhiraj Bhave, who helped their team score two dream run points.

The next batch of Rokeson Singh, Avik Singha and Abhishek Pathrode added one more as Gujarat Giants went into the final turn with just a seven-point lead. Faizankha Pathan complicated the equation for Mumbai Khiladis by scoring a couple of dream run points. Then Ram Mohan frustrated the Mumbai Khiladis by remaining unconquered and earning a dream run point as well. In an earlier match, Chennai Quick Guns and Odisha Juggernauts played out an exciting 30-30 tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cuttack. The reverse fixture between these two teams had also ended in a tie.

After winning the toss, the Odisha Juggernauts decided to attack, but this move backfired when Chennai Quick Guns managed three dream run points in the first turn. From the first batch, Laxman Gawas managed to evade the Odisha Juggernauts’ attackers long enough to score two dream run points. Subsequently, the season’s top all-rounder Ramji Kashyap remained unbeaten, scoring his thirteenth fantasy run point. The Odisha Juggernauts’ situation deteriorated further after their initial group was eliminated without spending much time on the mat. Then, Nikhil B scored three dream run points by single-handedly pulling the Odisha team back into the game. With the Chennai Quick Guns leading 15–13, the match was evenly balanced going into the second innings.

With roughly three and a half seconds remaining in Turn 3, the Odisha Juggernauts’ attackers forced the first two Chennai Quick Guns batches back, turning the tide of the match in their favour. Then, Ramji scored his typical dream run point, leaving his team’s attackers to close the final turn with a 13-point deficit. That quest got off to a decent start when Chennai Quick Guns successfully returned the first batch of the Odisha outfit with enough remaining time. But Rohan Singade stopped the Chennai Quick Guns’ attack, giving his team a crucial bonus point. The first game is scheduled for Wednesday and will pit Telugu Yoddhas against Mumbai Khiladis. The second game will pit the Odisha Juggernauts against the winless Rajasthan Warriors.