Mainpat Titans delivered a commanding 5-2 victory over Rajdhani Royals in the evening fixture of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League on Sunday, 25 October in Raipur, effectively ending Royals' tournament run. Led by Pardeep Mor, the Titans were clinical across all departments, exposing every weakness in the Royals' game to seal a comprehensive win.

How the Match Unfolded

The opening quarter was largely uneventful, with both sides content to work the ball through midfield and rarely threatening the circle. That changed late in the first period when a brisk Mainpat attack saw Manish Vatti break the deadlock to put the Titans ahead.

Royals hit back almost immediately through Aniket, who converted after being set up by Raushan from outside the circle. In a dramatic twist, Raushan beat Titans keeper Alfaz Khan seconds later, only for the goal to be disallowed — a decision that visibly stunned the forward. Mainpat capitalised on that reprieve when Sandeep Thakur latched onto a precise midfield pass to restore the lead, sending the teams into the break at 2-1.

A Moment of Magic — and Mainpat's Surge

The second half opened with arguably the highlight of the match: Lalit delivered a long-range scoop to Raushan, who deflected it expertly into the goal — a move already being hailed as a contender for goal of the tournament. Royals had briefly pulled back to 2-2, but Mainpat responded sharply as Mohit Nayak converted through a precise reverse flick to reclaim the lead.

Royals' failure to convert penalty corners — a recurring weakness throughout the tournament — proved costly once again. Prince added a fourth for the Titans as the contest slipped away, and Mainpat closed out the game at 5-2, with Royals unable to mount any meaningful late challenge.

Player Honours and Royals' Exit

Mohit Nayak was named both the striker and player of the tournament at the post-match ceremony, recognising his decisive contributions across the competition. For Royals, the defeat confirms their early elimination — they failed across attack, defence, and set pieces.

Knights Cruise to 4-1 Win, Near Semi-Final Spot

In the day's earlier match, Nyayadhani Knights defeated Bailadila Bulls 4-1 to move to the top of the points table with three wins from three games, all but sealing a semi-final berth in the inaugural Chhattisgarh Hockey League. Bulls, by contrast, remain without a win at the bottom of the standings.

The match was attended by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Arun Sao, and former hockey player Neeta Dumre. Drag-flicker Chirag was the standout performer, completing a hat-trick, while Jaskaran Singh scored the Bulls' consolation goal. Chirag was named the striker and player of the match.

What's Next

The league continues on 26 October, with Sanskardhani Strikers facing Bailadila Bulls and Chakradhar Champions taking on Mainpat Titans — fixtures that could further clarify the semi-final picture.