Kho Kho World Cup: Ramji Kashyap, Subramani Shine as India Defeats Sri Lanka and Advances to Semifinals

New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) The Indian men's kho-kho team exhibited an outstanding performance, defeating Sri Lanka with a score of 100-40 to earn a place in the semifinals of the Kho Kho World Cup at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Friday. The women's team also triumphed, securing their semifinal spot with a decisive 109-16 victory.

Under the leadership of Ramji Kashyap, Pratik Waikar, and Aditya Ganpule, Team India accumulated 58 points in Turn 1. They successfully blocked the Sri Lankans from scoring any points through Dream Runs, establishing a strong foundation at the end of the first turn. The Sri Lankan team made efforts in Turn 2, spearheaded by Aniket Pote alongside Aditya Ganpule.

Ramji Kashyap quickly joined the scoring frenzy for his team, while the Sri Lankan attackers kept the Indian side on their toes throughout the second turn, creating critical moments. However, the Indian team already held a significant lead, setting them up for success at the beginning of Turn 3.

In Turn 3, the Indians unleashed an offensive onslaught. Siva Reddy, V Subramani, and Wazir Pratik Waikar executed numerous skydives and pole dives, silencing the Sri Lankan team. Despite the Sri Lankans attempting to regain control, they were unable to shift the momentum as the Indians reached 100 points by the end of the third turn, all but confirming their semifinal berth in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025.

Pabani Sabar joined Aniket Pote and Siva Reddy in the final turn’s first batch. The match concluded with a score of 100-40, allowing the Indians to advance to the semifinals with ease.

India's Women Dominate Bangladesh

In a remarkable showcase of skill and teamwork, the Indian women's kho-kho team clinched their place in the semifinals of the 2025 World Cup with a resounding 109-16 victory over Bangladesh. Led by captain Priyanka Ingle, the team displayed dominance from the outset, with seasoned players Nasreen Shaikh and Priyanka Ingle setting an impressive tone early in the match.

The defending champions continued their strong performance by executing an impressive Dream Run in Turn 2. The trio of Ingle, Ashwini Shinde, and Reshma Rathod maintained control of the game for an outstanding 5 minutes and 36 seconds, adding 6 crucial points to their significant lead. The match reached new heights in Turn 3 when Reshma Rathod's stunning skydive enabled India to achieve their fifth consecutive performance of over 100 points in the tournament. The dominance persisted into the final turn, where India executed another remarkable three-point Dream Run to secure the victory.

Bangladesh struggled to establish their rhythm throughout the match, managing only four simple touches in Turn 2 as India's defense remained unyielding. This convincing victory sets the stage for an eagerly awaited semifinal clash scheduled for Saturday, January 18, as India continues its pursuit of the coveted trophy.