Hyderabad: UP Yoddhas, the franchisee owned by GMR Group fell short of securing their much-needed fourth victory in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10, narrowly losing 31-34 to the Patna Pirates tonight. The game number 79 between the Yoddhas and Pirates played at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, saw intense action and drama when UP Yoddhas came close to the victory despite trailing by eight points but couldn’t translate their valiant efforts into a win. Shivam Chaudhary of the UP Yoddhas emerged as the top scorer of the game while Hitesh and Sumit, guarding right and left corners respectively for their side, earned their High 5s in the game. With three victories and 23 points to their kitty, UP Yoddhas are placed eleventh in the points table.
UP Yoddhas will now face Telugu Titans on 20th January 2024 at Hyderabad. The match between UP Yoddhas and Telugu Titans will be telecast LIVE on Star Sports Network and can be streamed LIVE on Disney Hotstar from 09:00 p.m. (IST) onwards.
UP Yoddhas, after losing the toss, were invited to raid first. The initial two raids from each side went empty, but it was Shivam Chaudhary of the Yoddhas who initiated the scoring by pinning down two opponents in a single raid. Subsequently, the Patna Pirates, with the assistance of quick bonus points, leveled the scorecard and demonstrated their early dominance. They inflicted the first All-Out of the game, surging ahead with a score of 9-4 by the fifth minute. Thereafter, the game witnessed a neck-and-neck competition, with both sides earning points primarily through their attackers. Shivam Chaudhary once again showcased his prowess by eliminating two opponents in a single raid, narrowing the gap in the score to 10-15, still in favor of the Patna Pirates. Impressively, Shivam Chaudhary accumulated six points, the highest from the first half, captivating kabaddi fans both in and out of the stadium, as the first half concluded with scorecard reading 15-21 in favor of the Patna Pirates.
The UP Yoddhas began the second half on a slow note, allowing their opponents to extend the lead by nine points in the initial minutes. However, another emerging player for the Yoddhas, Hitesh who took the mat as a right defender, replacing Nitesh today made a significant impact by assisting his teammates in executing a Super Tackle on the Pirates and earning his High 5 from the game. The scorecard read 21-28 to the Pirates favor with 12 minutes to go in the game. The latter part of the second half highlighted the defensive prowess of the Yoddhas, as they not only earned points through their defensive skills but also through raids. Sumit, on two occasions, showcased his raiding skills, preventing his team from experiencing another All-Out. Operating as the last man on the mat, Sumit secured three crucial points for the UP Yoddhas, keeping their hopes alive. Despite their valiant efforts, the Yoddhas went down to the Patna Pirates with a score of 31-34, ensuring an intense and exciting showdown until the end.
