Hosts Odisha Juggernauts capped off a memorable end to their Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2, trumping Telugu Yoddhas by a score of 32-24 to clinch a third-place finish on Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.

The game began with the Telugu Yoddhas administering an early lead of 10-3 in Turn 1. Odisha Juggernauts pocketed points thanks to three Dream Runs by Gowtham MK. This turn also included a spectacular dodge from Avinash Desai - perhaps a spoiler of the action to come later in the contest. Rohan Shingade, part of the second batch, remained unbeaten.

Turn 2 would see the Juggernauts light the torch of a comeback. While the Yoddhas scored four Dream Runs thanks to Aditya Ganpule and Avdhut Patil, the hosts notched 10 Attack points as they reduced the deficit to one point (13-14) going into half-time.

The fourth batch of Odisha Juggernauts ran first in Turn 3 and would add three Dream Runs to the scoreboard. At this stage, the Telugu Yoddhas still had a 24-16 score in their favour. However, the tables would turn in Turn 4.

With 3:32 minutes remaining on the clock in Turn 4, the Odisha Juggernauts would level the score at 24-24 and, in the following minute, grab the ascendancy in the contest. Amidst the running and tagging, Kho Kho fans witnessed another ethereal dodge in the fixture, with Akash Togare displaying solid reflexes to dodge an incoming attack from the Juggernauts.

At the final whistle, and to the joy of all the Odisha fans in the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, the Odisha Juggernauts were adjudged as the second runners-up of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 with a winning score of 32-24 over the Telugu Yoddhas.

Match Awards

Attacker of the Match: Nikhil B (Odisha Juggernauts)

Defender of the Match: Aditya Ganpule (Telugu Yoddhas)

Ultimate Kho of the Match: Dilip Khandavi (Odisha Juggernauts)