APL Season 2: Chola Chiefs end 5-match losing streak with shoot-off win over Prithviraaj Yodhas
Synopsis
Down five matches in a row, Chola Chiefs rescued their campaign with a nerve-shredding shoot-off win — sealed 2-0 by Alejandra Usquiano's X and a perfect 80/80 in regulation. With only two round-robin matches left, Sunday's grand finale at Hyderabad's People's Plaza is now a four-team scramble.
Key Takeaways
Chola Chiefs ended a five-match losing streak on 15 October , beating Prithviraaj Yodhas via hit-or-miss shoot-off at People's Plaza, Hyderabad .
Regulation time ended 4-4 ; Chiefs won the shoot-off 2-0 with X-ring hits from Alejandra Usquiano and Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri .
Usquiano scored a perfect 80 out of 80 in regulation — one of the best individual performances of the season.
Chiefs climb to 4 points ; Yodhas remain on 6 points in the standings.
Chiefs face defending champions Rajputana Royals on Friday in a crucial round-robin fixture.
The APL Season 2 grand finale is scheduled for 18 October at Hyderabad.
Chola Chiefs snapped a punishing five-match losing run at the Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 on Thursday, 15 October, defeating Prithviraaj Yodhas via a dramatic hit-or-miss shoot-off after the two sides ended regulation time locked at 4-4 at People's Plaza, Hyderabad. The narrow victory — decided 2-0 in the tiebreak — could prove pivotal to Chiefs' survival hopes in the league standings.
How the Shoot-Off Was Decided
When the match was level after four sets, it came down to individual nerves in the tiebreaker. Colombia's Alejandra Usquiano set the tone immediately, landing a brilliant arrow into the golden X-ring — a Hit. India's Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri followed suit with another X-ring strike. All remaining archers from both sides registered misses, handing Chiefs a clean 2-0 scoreline in the shoot-off.
Usquiano's contribution extended far beyond the tiebreak. The Colombian compound archer delivered a near-flawless individual outing, finishing regulation time with a perfect 80 out of 80 — widely regarded as one of the standout individual performances of APL Season 2 so far.
The Regulation Drama That Set It Up
Chiefs had looked on course for a more comfortable victory after taking the first two sets convincingly. A straightforward path to a third set presented itself, but recurve archers Yuktha Sri and Marcus D'Almeida landed in the 7-ring — a critical drop in precision at a crucial moment. Yodhas seized the opportunity: Gatha Khadake delivered a superb X to help her side clinch the final set and level the match, forcing the shoot-off. Set scores read 76-72, 78-77, 73-75, 74-77 across the four regulation sets.
The near-collapse from a position of strength underlines the volatility that has characterised Chiefs' campaign this season, making the eventual win — however narrow — a significant psychological reset.
Table Standing and Playoff Implications
The win lifts Chola Chiefs to 4 points, keeping their top-four ambitions just about alive. Prithviraaj Yodhas remain on 6 points. Chiefs are currently at the foot of the standings, and with only a couple of round-robin matches remaining, they will need results to go their way across the board.
The APL Season 2 playoffs introduce a new format. Teams finishing first and second receive two chances to reach the grand final, while the third and fourth-placed sides contest Eliminator 1 on 17 October. The winner advances to Eliminator 2. On 18 October — the day of the grand finale — the top two sides clash in the Short-cut Decider, with the loser then facing the Eliminator 2 winner for the second final berth.
Friday's Schedule and Broadcast Details
Chiefs' next assignment arrives quickly: they face defending champions Rajputana Royals in Friday's opening match — a near must-win fixture given their precarious position. The second match pits Prithviraaj Yodhas against local franchise Kakatiya Knights, while Mighty Marathas take on Chero Archers in the final match of the day.
The Archery Premier League — the world's first franchise-based archery league, initiated by the Archery Association of India — features six teams and 48 archers, comprising 36 Indian players and 12 elite international stars. The tournament is broadcast on SonyLIV, Doordarshan, the Archery Association of India YouTube channel, and Archery+. Tickets are available via District by Zomato. All eyes now turn to Sunday's finale as the race for the last playoff spots enters its decisive phase.
Point of View
Late wobbles — has defined their entire campaign. Alejandra Usquiano's perfect 80/80 also raises a pointed question about team balance: if one overseas compound archer is consistently carrying the regulation-time load, Chiefs' Indian core needs to step up decisively against Rajputana Royals on Friday or the points revival will mean little. The new two-chance playoff format for the top two sides adds strategic depth that leagues of this scale rarely attempt early in their lifecycle — a design choice worth watching as APL tries to build broadcast and ticketing momentum in its second year.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Chola Chiefs vs Prithviraaj Yodhas match in APL Season 2?
Chola Chiefs defeated Prithviraaj Yodhas via a hit-or-miss shoot-off at People's Plaza, Hyderabad on 15 October, after both sides ended regulation time tied at 4-4. Chiefs won the tiebreak 2-0, with Alejandra Usquiano and Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri each landing in the X-ring.
Who was the standout performer for Chola Chiefs in this match?
Colombia's Alejandra Usquiano delivered an exceptional performance, scoring a perfect 80 out of 80 during regulation time — one of the best individual outings of APL Season 2. She also landed the decisive X in the shoot-off to set up Chiefs' victory.
How does the APL Season 2 playoffs format work?
The top two sides in the standings receive two opportunities to qualify for the grand final on 18 October. The third and fourth-placed teams play Eliminator 1 on 17 October, with the winner moving to Eliminator 2. On finale day, the top-two clash in a Short-cut Decider, and the loser faces the Eliminator 2 winner for the second final spot.
Where can viewers watch APL Season 2?
Archery Premier League Season 2 is broadcast on SonyLIV, Doordarshan, the Archery Association of India's YouTube channel, and Archery+. Tickets for matches at People's Plaza, Hyderabad are available on District by Zomato.
What are Chola Chiefs' chances of reaching the APL Season 2 playoffs?
The win takes Chiefs to 4 points, keeping their top-four hopes alive with a couple of round-robin matches remaining. However, they are currently at the foot of the table and must win their next fixture against defending champions Rajputana Royals to stay in contention.
