A Ramji Kashyap masterclass inspired the Chennai Quick Guns to break Odisha Juggernauts’ hearts for the second time this season and snatch a 30-30 draw in the dying seconds of their Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 clash on Tuesday.

The stalemate preserved the Quick Guns’ position as the league leaders, while the Odisha Juggernauts remained fourth following the tie result.

Defending champion Odisha won the toss and opted to attack, winning 10 attack points. However, they were frustrated early on as Laxman Gawas, from the first batch, dodged the Odisha attackers long enough to accrue two Dream Run points. And towards the last half of Turn 1, star all-rounder Ramji Kashyap notched his 13th Dream Run of UKK Season 2 to take the score to 3-10.

In Turn 2, barring a spirited effort from Nikhil B (three Dream Runs), the Juggernauts were at the mercy of the Chennai Quick Guns, and the latter would claim the lead as the game went into half-time 15-13 in favour of Chennai.

The second half had something brewing, and it began with the match shifting first in favour of the Odisha Juggernauts. They dismissed the first two batches of the Chennai Quick Guns with almost three-and-a-half seconds left on the clock. But, a confident Ramji did what he does best - get a Dream Run when you least expect it. Going into Turn 4, the Quick Guns had to chase 13 points to have the last laugh.

That quest started with Chennai Quick Guns managing to get the defending champions’ first batch. However, a Dream Run from Rohan Singade would keep Odisha slightly ahead and count their blessings for time to run out in their favour. But….

With just 0:05 seconds separating them from a win, the Juggernauts could only keep staring as Ramji Kashyap took out defender Vishal to earn a hard-fought game-equalling point, and the game finished with the honours being split between both teams.

While the Chennai Quick Guns take on Telugu Yoddhas in the first game on January 5, the Odisha Juggernauts welcome a winless Rajasthan Warriors in the second game of the day tomorrow, January 3.

Match Awards

Attacker of the Match: Mahesha P (Odisha Juggernauts)

Defender of the Match: Ramji Kashyap (Chennai Quick Guns)

Ultimate Kho of the Match: Rohan Shingade (Odisha Juggernauts)