How Did Kurnool Knights Triumph Twice While Amravati Crushers Keep Their Unbeaten Streak on Day 5 of Yuva Andhra Championship?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kurnool Knights won two matches, reclaiming the top spot in Pool A.
- Amravati Crushers maintained their unbeaten streak in Pool B.
- Key players delivered outstanding performances, significantly impacting their teams.
- Close matches showcased the competitive spirit of the tournament.
- The Yuva Andhra Championship is vital for the growth of Kabaddi.
Vijayawada, Aug 20 (NationPress) Day 5 of the Yuva Andhra Championship 2025, a precursor to the Telugu Kabaddi League, delivered a blend of excitement and stellar performances at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium.
Kurnool Knights emerged victorious in two matches, while the Amravati Crushers, Vizag Commandos, and Bhimavaram Guardians also secured wins, significantly altering the standings. Kurnool reclaimed the lead in Pool A, and Amravati maintained their unbeaten record in Pool B.
The day kicked off with a thrilling match where Kurnool Knights narrowly defeated Bhimavaram Guardians 46-45. The Knights seemed poised for an easy victory, but the Guardians rallied fiercely in the closing moments, narrowing the gap to just one point.
V Durga Prasanth spearheaded Kurnool's efforts with 13 points, while Kunchala Srikanth added 7 points across both defense and offense. For the Guardians, Abilash Reddy shone with 19 raid points, and substitute RH Rahul contributed 6 tackle points, but their efforts fell short.
The action shifted to Pool B in the next match, where Amravati Crushers demonstrated their dominance with a high-scoring 61-54 victory against Tirupati Raiders. Potla Gopi Chand led the charge with 16 raid and 2 tackle points, while Kolamgari Rambabu added 12 raid points, and Ankalu Jampana achieved a High 5.
Despite a standout performance from R Sai Sankar of Tirupati, who scored 20 raid and 3 tackle points, the Raiders couldn't keep pace with Amravati's overall strength.
The third match featured Vizag Commandos defeating Krishna Defenders 49-36, with both Nolli Theja and Durga Prasad notching Super 10s, while Rayi Narendra anchored the defense with 7 tackle points.
Krishna's resistance was led by G Lakshma Reddy, who scored 17 raid points, but a lack of support around him proved costly.
The fourth match saw Bhimavaram Guardians bounce back from their earlier defeat, edging out Kakinada Kraken 35-32 in a closely contested battle. Abilash Reddy scored 11 raid points, while Venkata Durga Rao contributed 8 raid and 2 tackle points. Varri Mahesh led the Kraken with 10 raid and 1 tackle point, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.
The day concluded with a key matchup in Pool A, where Kurnool Knights overwhelmed Vizianagaram Ninjas 42-26 to reclaim the top position. Pelleti Brahmareddy dominated the raids with 15 points, supported effectively by his teammates. Chekka Nagababu scored 12 raid points for the Ninjas, but the absence of additional contributions led to their downfall in the second half.
These outcomes have once again reshaped the standings in Pool A. The Kurnool Knights now sit at the top with 24 points after six matches, just ahead of Vizianagaram Ninjas at 23. Bhimavaram Guardians improved to 16 points, while Kakinada Kraken languished at the bottom with 9 points. In Pool B, Amravati Crushers continued their unbeaten streak, leading with 29 points from five consecutive wins, followed by Vizag Commandos with 18, Tirupati Raiders at 8, and Krishna Defenders with 5.