The Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 lived up to its promise of providing a Running Touch of excitement, a Pole Dive of angst, a Sky Dive of anticipation and a Dream Run of emotions. And it drew to a close with a riveting finale that saw the Gujarat Giants defy the odds to triumph over Chennai Quick Guns with a 31-26 victory.
From December 24, 2023, to January 13, 2024, fans of the indigenous sport of Kho Kho were given a fabulous treat of individual performances, team domination, nerve-wracking finishes and lastly, the ascension of the sporting league to stand toe-to-toe with the other franchise-based tournaments in the country.
This was possible through the efforts of all the participants in UKK Season 2, but special credits go to this set of players who went above and beyond their limits to prove to the world that Kho Kho is a sport that can spread its wings to the international forum.
So, here we are presenting the Kings of the mat in Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2.
Player of the Tournament: RAMJI KASHYAP
The record-breaker set the trend of excellence in UKK Season 1 and took it up a notch in Season 2 despite ending his stellar campaign with a runners-up medal.
With 84 attack points, 36 powerplay points, a defending time of 33:03 minutes, and 20 Dream Runs, Ramji Kashyap proved to onlookers that he was a 'class apart' and a beacon of hope whenever Chennai Quick Guns took the mat for a game in Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2.
Rising Star of the Tournament: SHUBHAM THORAT
Young Shubham Thorat was a vital cog in Gujarat Giants' journey to becoming the champions of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2. Energetic, enthusiastic and determined, Shubham accrued 20 attack points, eight powerplay points, seven Dream Runs and an active time of 1048 seconds in a UKK campaign that showcased the brilliant sparks of promise that he is a superstar in the making.
Attacker of the Tournament: PRATIK WAIKAR
Pratik Waikar, perhaps, could be called the Wazir of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2. Why? Because the Telugu Yoddhas captain registered a whopping 68 points as a Wazir, 30 clear of the second-placed Durvesh Salunkhe of Chennai Quick Guns.
The all-rounder was an omnipresent figure on the mat, but more so when it came for him to chase down opponents. Waikar led his Yoddhas team to the Playoffs while registering 68 attack points and 24 powerplay points in 11 games.
Defender of the Tournament: ADITYA GANPULE
"Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee" is how we can associate Aditya Ganpule's emphatic Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 adventure with the Telugu Yoddhas. The all-rounder spent a total active time of 23:15 minutes on the mat, which meant he effortlessly defended himself whilst taking on the attacking prowess of the likes of Ramji Kashyap (Chennai Quick Guns), Gajanan Shengal (Mumbai Khiladis) and Nilesh Patil (Rajasthan Warriors).