U.P. Yoddhas, the team owned by GMR Group, fell short of securing their much-needed fourth victory in Pro Kabaddi 2023-24, narrowly losing 31-34 to the Patna Pirates.

Game number 79 between the Yoddhas and Pirates, played at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, saw intense action and drama when U.P. 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 U.P. 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, U.P. Yoddhas are placed eleventh in the points table.

U.P. Yoddhas will now face Telugu Titans in Hyderabad on January 20, 2024. The match between U.P. 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.

U.P. Yoddhas, after losing the toss, were invited to raid first. The initial two raids from each side went empty, but Shivam Chaudhary of the Yoddhas initiated the scoring by pinning down two opponents in a single raid. Subsequently, with quick bonus points, the Patna Pirates levelled 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.

After that, 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 favour 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 a scorecard reading 15-21 in favour of the Patna Pirates.

The U.P. Yoddhas began the second half slowly, 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 in the Pirates’ favour with 12 minutes to go.

The latter part of the second half highlighted the defensive prowess of the Yoddhas, as they earned points through their defensive skills and raids. On two occasions, Sumit 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 U.P. 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.