Kho Kho World Cup: Resilient India Secures Final Spot with Thrilling Win Against South Africa
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Synopsis
On January 18, the Indian men's Kho Kho team displayed remarkable resilience and skill, defeating South Africa 62-42 to earn their place in the World Cup 2025 final, showcasing exceptional gameplay at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- India's men's Kho Kho team wins against South Africa.
- Secured a spot in the World Cup 2025 final.
- Final score was 62-42.
- Next match against Nepal on January 19.
- Exceptional performances from key players like Pratik Waikar and Nikhil B.
New Delhi, Jan 18 (NationPress) In a thrilling exhibition of talent and determination, the Indian men's Kho Kho team triumphed over a formidable South African squad, clinching their place in the World Cup 2025 final with a score of 62-42 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
The match highlighted remarkable defensive skills and tactical gameplay from both teams until India surged ahead in the crucial final turn.
A robust start from the South Africans thwarted Pratik Waikar and Aditya Ganpule from achieving a Dream Run, largely due to their Wazir's efforts. Their attackers presented a tough challenge for Mehul and Sachin Bhargo during batch two, but Aniket Pote managed to extend his batch to 2 minutes and 38 seconds. This concluded Turn 1, with South Africa accumulating 18 points.
The Indian squad retaliated fiercely in Turn 2, with Nikhil B showcasing his skills as they faced a tough challenge. Despite scoring only 14 points compared to South Africa's 20, Aditya Ganpule and Gowtham M revitalized the team with their expansive play, ending Turn 2 with a score of 24-20.
Khozi of South Africa posed a significant threat to the Indian defense in Turn 3, leading to an All Out within 2 minutes, thereby equalizing the score. Ramji Kashyap, Pabani Sabar, and Suyash Gargate enhanced their performance to 2 minutes and 30 seconds for batch 2, allowing South Africa to increase their lead to 38. As Turn 3 concluded, the score stood at 42-28, setting the stage for an exhilarating final turn in the quest for a final berth.
Akash Kumar's efforts against Khoza and Mehul provided India with a crucial start to Turn 4. With only 5 minutes and 10 seconds remaining, the score difference was a mere 4 points. However, skipper and Wazir Pratik Waikar executed an extraordinary sky dive to take down Khoza. At this juncture, Mehul amplified the intensity with a move that propelled them past their rivals. The match concluded with an impressive 62-42 score, despite a valiant effort from the South Africans.
The Indian team is set to face Nepal in the final at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Sunday, January 19.
The Nepal men's team secured their spot in the finals of the Men's division of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 by defeating IR Iran 72-29 in their semifinal match.
