APL Season 2: Rajputana Royals beat Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 in opener
Synopsis
The Archery Premier League's second season got off to a thrilling start in Hyderabad as defending champions Rajputana Royals edged Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3, with World No. 1 Ella Gibson and Olympic champion Mete Gazoz delivering under pressure. A late 8 from Mexico's Mathias Grande proved the decisive moment.
Key Takeaways
Rajputana Royals defeated Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 in the APL Season 2 opener at People's Plaza, Hyderabad on 8 October 2026 .
Compound stars Ojas Deotale and World No.
1 Ella Gibson were the Royals' standout performers.
Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz repeatedly closed sets under the clock, including a match-sealing X in Set 4.
A costly 8 from Mexico's Mathias Grande in the final arrow denied the Yodhas a chance to force a shootoff.
APL , the world's first franchise-based archery league, features 6 teams and 48 archers (36 Indian, 12 international); the finale is on 18 October .
Rajputana Royals opened their Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 title defence with a commanding 5-3 victory over Prithviraaj Yodhas in the tournament opener at People's Plaza, Hyderabad, on 8 October 2026. Compound stars Ojas Deotale and World No. 1 Ella Gibson set the tone with high-scoring arrows, while Tokyo Olympic recurve champion Mete Gazoz proved the decisive closer throughout a tense contest.
How the Match Unfolded
The Royals drew first blood in Set 1, winning 73-69 as a costly 7 from Mexico's Mathias Grande with his opening arrow forced the Yodhas into catch-up mode from the outset. Deotale and Gibson maintained the pressure, with India's Ankita Bhakat providing solid support alongside Gazoz on the recurve end.
Set 2 produced a gripping finish. Abhishek Verma, who captains the Yodhas, opened with a 10 and Grande delivered a sensational last-arrow 10 under the clock. Gazoz's 9 cost the Royals an outright set win. A correction after the set end swung the score, allowing the Yodhas to level the match at 2-2.
Tactical Switches and a Tense Third Set
Before Set 3, the Yodhas made a personnel change, introducing Andrea Becerra in place of Raj Kaur. The compound shooters on both sides responded with X-ring 10s — Deotale and Verma opening, then Gibson and Becerra following suit. With both teams' recurve anchors racing the clock, Grande hit the required 10 to split a quality set that ended locked at 77-77.
Royals Seal the Win in Set 4
The Royals launched Set 4 with three consecutive 10s, opening a 39-37 lead at the halfway stage. Sixteen-year-old Gatha Anandrao Khadake had a mixed outing but contributed a crucial last-arrow 10 to keep Yodhas' shootoff hopes alive. It came down to the final arrows: Gazoz responded with a superb X, while Grande could manage only an 8, handing the Royals the set and the match 5-3.
About the Archery Premier League
The Archery Premier League, initiated by the Archery Association of India, is the world's first franchise-based archery league. The second edition features six teams and 48 archers — 36 Indians and 12 elite international stars — competing at People's Plaza in Hyderabad. The league culminates on 18 October with a grand finale comprising semifinals and a title clash between the top four teams.
What's Next
Day 2 of APL Season 2 sees Kakatiya Knights face Chola Chiefs in the first match, followed by defending champions Rajputana Royals taking on Chero Archers, and Mighty Marathas meeting Prithviraaj Yodhas in the day's final encounter.
Point of View
Gibson, and Grande — decided the match, not just the Indian contingent. That is the league's core proposition. Yet the format's reliance on the 120-second shot clock produced genuine drama, proving that archery's biggest challenge — making arrow-by-arrow tension legible to a casual audience — is being solved on the competition floor, not in the broadcast booth.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the APL Season 2 opening match?
Rajputana Royals defeated Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 in the Archery Premier League Season 2 opener held at People's Plaza, Hyderabad, on 8 October 2026. Compound archers Ojas Deotale and World No. 1 Ella Gibson, along with Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz, led the Royals to victory.
What is the Archery Premier League (APL)?
The Archery Premier League is the world's first franchise-based archery league, initiated by the Archery Association of India. Season 2 features six teams and 48 archers — 36 Indians and 12 international stars — competing in Hyderabad from 8 to 18 October 2026.
Why did Prithviraaj Yodhas lose the opener despite a strong fightback?
The Yodhas came close to forcing a shootoff but Mexico's Mathias Grande could only manage an 8 with the final arrow of Set 4, costing them the chance. An earlier set correction had brought the teams level at 2-2, but the Royals ultimately sealed the match 5-3.
When is the APL Season 2 finale?
The APL Season 2 grand finale is scheduled for 18 October 2026 in Hyderabad, featuring semifinals and a title clash between the top four teams in the league.
What are the APL Season 2 Day 2 fixtures?
Day 2 features three matches: Kakatiya Knights vs Chola Chiefs, Rajputana Royals vs Chero Archers, and Mighty Marathas vs Prithviraaj Yodhas — all at People's Plaza in Hyderabad.
