PKL Season 11: Gagan Gowda Shines as UP Yoddhas Rally to Overcome Telugu Titans

Pune, Dec 4 (NationPress) Gagan Gowda emerged as the standout performer as UP Yoddhas triumphed over Telugu Titans in an exhilarating match in Match 91 of Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League held at the Badminton Hall in the Balewadi Sports Complex, here on Wednesday. In a thrilling contest, the UP Yoddhas were behind at halftime but came back strong in the second half to secure a 36-33 victory. Gowda contributed significantly with 15 points while Bhavani Rajput added six more to the team's tally.

The match began with Vijay Malik and Ashish Narwal scoring for the Telugu Titans, which gave them an early advantage despite a slow start. In the initial exchanges, the Telugu Titans showcased a solid defense, while their raiders executed quick and strategic raids. This early dominance paid off when the Telugu Titans managed an All Out against the UP Yoddhas in the 8th minute, establishing a 6-point lead and taking control midway through the first half. However, players like Hitesh and Bhavani Rajput were determined to rally the UP Yoddhas, despite the efforts of Malik, Narwal, and Sagar.

As the first half progressed, the UP Yoddhas struggled to breach the Telugu Titans' defense, who were capitalizing on their advantage. At halftime, the Telugu Titans held a lead of 17-10.

The UP Yoddhas quickly found their rhythm in the second half, with Gowda making a significant impact through a series of rapid raids. They scored the first five points of the half, narrowing the gap to just two points. In the sixth minute, the UP Yoddhas executed an All Out on the Telugu Titans, seizing the lead. The momentum shifted in favor of the UP Yoddhas, which was evident in their attacking play as they aimed to extend their advantage.

By the half-hour mark, the UP Yoddhas maintained a 3-point lead. During the first ten minutes of the second half, the Telugu Titans managed only 2 points while the UP Yoddhas surged with 12 points, turning the game around. Shortly after, Gowda accomplished his Super 10 and executed a stunning three-point raid with seven minutes remaining, extending the UP Yoddhas' lead to 6 points. The Telugu Titans faced a significant challenge until Manjeet stepped up with a remarkable six-point raid, bringing his team back into contention. Notably, this was the highest points scored in a single raid this season.

In the final moments, the Telugu Titans achieved an ALL OUT on the UP Yoddhas, giving them a slight advantage in a thrilling finish. However, the UP Yoddhas managed to regain their footing as Vijay Malik went out of bounds on the mat, positioning them favorably. In the end, the UP Yoddhas secured a narrow win by scoring a few more points in the dying seconds of the match.