APL Season 2: Mighty Marathas beat Chero Archers in shootoff to win 3rd straight
Synopsis
Mighty Marathas were staring at another defeat when Chero Archers led after the first set — but a perfect-60 performance from Aman Saini and a crucial arrow upgrade turned the match on its head. The shootoff win, Marathas' third straight, puts them level with Chero on six points and sets up a pivotal second half of APL Season 2.
Key Takeaways
Mighty Marathas defeated Chero Archers 2-1 in the APL Season 2 shootoff on 12 October 2026 in Hyderabad , after a 4-4 draw in regulation.
Aman Saini scored a flawless 60 out of 60 in regulation and added a shootoff hit to finish the night unbeaten.
1 Mathias Fullerton scored a hit for Chero in the shootoff, but the other three Chero archers registered misses.
This is Chero's second tiebreaker loss of the season despite starting the match in strong form.
Mighty Marathas have won three matches in a row and are now level with Chero on six points .
The second half of the league phase begins Tuesday , with Chero vs defending champions Rajputana Royals headlining the card.
Mighty Marathas staged a gritty comeback to defeat Chero Archers in a nail-biting shootoff at the Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 in Hyderabad on Monday, 12 October 2026. The match, which ended 4-4 in regulation, was settled in the signature hit-or-miss tiebreaker, with Marathas prevailing 2-1 to claim their third consecutive victory.
How the Shootoff Unfolded
Aman Saini and Dhiraj Bommadevara both nailed hits for the Marathas in the shootoff, sealing the result decisively. For Chero, compound World No. 1 Mathias Fullerton delivered a hit, but the other three Chero archers registered misses — a costly breakdown that handed the match to their opponents. It was Chero's second tiebreaker defeat of the season, a pattern that will concern their coaching setup heading into the second half of the league phase.
Set-by-Set Story
Chero started the stronger side, with Yashdeep Bhoge — nominated in place of the in-form Atanu Das — shooting two fine arrows in the opening set to give his team a 2-0 lead. The second and third sets were shared, with Marathas' recurve star Dhiraj Bommadevara and Asian Games double gold medallist Kumkum Mohod trading nines as the set wound down. In the third set, Kumkum produced a sensational 10 into the centre of the target face to level scores.
The fourth set proved decisive. Both Bommadevara and Kumkum finished with 10s, but Saini's first arrow was upgraded from a 9 to a 10 upon review, handing the set — and ultimately the match lead into the shootoff — to the Marathas. Saini ended the night with a remarkable 60 out of 60 in regulation before adding the shootoff hit to his tally.
'It's easy for me,' Saini joked after the match. 'There is a process behind all this, a lot of hard work. It gives a lot of joy when results pay off for the team.'
Standings and What It Means
The win moves Mighty Marathas level with Chero Archers on six points after the Marathas had stumbled with two defeats to open the season. The turnaround represents one of the more compelling form reversals of APL Season 2 so far. Chero, despite fielding world-class talent including Fullerton, have now been unable to close out tight matches when it matters most.
Fixtures Ahead as Second Half Begins
Tuesday, 13 October marks the start of the second half of the league phase, with three matches scheduled in Hyderabad. The opening contest sees in-form Chero Archers face defending champions Rajputana Royals, which could shape the semi-final picture significantly. Prithviraaj Yodhas and Mighty Marathas then meet in what will be a battle for consolidation in the standings. The day concludes with the Southern Derby between Kakatiya Knights and Chola Chiefs. With the race for the semi-finals tightening, every set point will carry added weight.
Point of View
By contrast, have found momentum precisely when it matters: three straight wins after a stuttering start is a turnaround that should make them genuine semi-final contenders. The APL's hit-or-miss shootoff format is ruthlessly exposing which franchises have built mental fortitude alongside technical skill, and that distinction will likely decide who lifts the trophy.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Mighty Marathas vs Chero Archers match in APL Season 2?
Mighty Marathas defeated Chero Archers 2-1 in the shootoff tiebreaker on 12 October 2026 in Hyderabad, after the match ended 4-4 in regulation time. It was Marathas' third consecutive win of the season.
Who was the standout performer for Mighty Marathas in the match?
Aman Saini was the standout performer, scoring a perfect 60 out of 60 in regulation and then hitting his arrow in the shootoff as well. Dhiraj Bommadevara also contributed a crucial shootoff hit.
How did Chero Archers perform in the shootoff?
Chero's compound World No. 1 Mathias Fullerton scored a hit in the shootoff, but the other three Chero archers missed, resulting in a 2-1 loss. This was Chero's second tiebreaker defeat of APL Season 2.
What does this result mean for the APL Season 2 standings?
Mighty Marathas are now level with Chero Archers on six points after three straight wins, having initially lost their first two matches. The result tightens the semi-final race as the second half of the league phase begins on Tuesday.
What matches are scheduled next in APL Season 2?
Tuesday marks the start of the second half of the league phase in Hyderabad. Chero Archers face defending champions Rajputana Royals in the first match, followed by Prithviraaj Yodhas vs Mighty Marathas, and a Southern Derby between Kakatiya Knights and Chola Chiefs.
