Telugu Titans vs UP Yoddhas match was blockbuster as Telugu Titans defeated UP Yoddhas 40-35 in a thrill ride, earning their fourth win in a row in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 at the SDAT Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai last night.
Bharat Hooda’s Super 10 and 700-Point Milestone
Star raider Bharat Hooda was back to being the game-changer, scoring a Super 10 and crossing 700 career raid points in PKL history. He also reached 100 raid points for the season. Hooda was merciless with his attacking raids, allowing the Titans to keep a narrow margin all through the match.
Shubham Shinde’s Defensive Masterclass
Defensively, Shubham Shinde gave a High Five performance as well, with two late-match game-changing Super Tackles that pretty much sealed the victory for the Titans. His timely tackles prevented UP Yoddhas from making a comeback in the dying seconds.
Vijay Malik and Praful Zaware Add Crucial Support
Captain Vijay Malik also reached the 100-raid point milestone for the season, adding nine points, while Praful Zaware came in handy towards the end with a four-point cameo including clutch raids when he was the sole man remaining on the mat. Zaware’s intelligent play under pressure was critical to stave off an inspiring Yoddhas comeback.
Bhavani Rajput Stars for UP Yoddhas with Career-Best Super 10
The loss notwithstanding, Bhavani Rajput shone for UP Yoddhas on the night with a career-high 16-point Super 10. His raiding incisions kept the Yoddhas in contention till the last few minutes. Guman Singh also contributed eight points, while Gagan Gowda and Hitesh offered defensive cover.
First Half: Titans Build a Steady Lead
The game started on a belligerent tone, with both the teams trading blows early on. Vijay Malik opened the scoring with a multi-point raid, but Bharat soon took control. A Super Tackle by Chetan Sahu and Shinde’s defense saw the Titans take a five-point lead.
Midway through the half, Bharat Hooda’s successful Do-or-Die Raid extended the Titans’ lead to nine. At halftime, Telugu Titans led 22-16, with Bharat and Bhavani Rajput both scoring nine points apiece in the first 20 minutes.
Second Half: UP Yoddhas Fight Back But Fall Short
During the latter section, Bhavani Rajput wrapped his Super 10 in the first raid. The momentum was shifted for a moment when UP Yoddhas inflicted an All Out and cut the scoring margin down to three points. However, key defensive efforts by Shubham Shinde put a stop to their momentum.
With less than three minutes on the clock and the Titans leading 33-30, Shinde executed a second Super Tackle, advancing the Titans again. In a nail-biting finale, Praful Zaware’s raids, along with Bharat’s last raid, made sure the Telugu Titans vs UP Yoddhas match resulted in the Titans’ favor.
| Category | Telugu Titans | UP Yoddhas |
|---|---|---|
| Top Raider | Bharat Hooda (Super 10, 700 PKL points) | Bhavani Rajput (16 points, career-best) |
| Top Defender | Shubham Shinde (High Five) | Gagan Gowda, Hitesh (Key Tackles) |
| Notable Cameos | Praful Zaware (4 points) | Guman Singh (8 points) |
| Halftime Score | 22 – 16 | |
| Full-Time Score | 40 – 35 |
What’s Next in PKL Season 12?
Match 1: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Dabang Delhi K.C.
Match 2: UP Yoddhas vs Patna Pirates
ALSO READ: Gujarat Giants vs Bengal Warriorz: Rakesh’s 18 Points Power Giants To PKL 12 Dominant Win
