Purvanchal Panthers delivered a crucial and confidence-boosting performance on Day 13 of the do-or-die week of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2, defeating Kanpur Warriors 45–30 to keep their campaign firmly alive in Nodia on Tuesday evening.
The contest began with both sides testing each other cautiously, with Kanpur Warriors attempting to apply early pressure. Purvanchal Panthers stayed composed despite being pushed into difficult situations and ensured the first half remained closely fought, with neither team able to establish a decisive advantage before the break.
The momentum shifted decisively in the second half. Purvanchal Panthers showed resilience under pressure, producing a series of timely super tackles to halt Kanpur’s charge. Building on that defensive stand, Purvanchal turned the tables by inflicting two all-outs on Kanpur Warriors, swinging the match firmly in their favour. As the defence tightened, the raiding unit grew more aggressive and decisive, allowing Purvanchal to steadily extend their lead.
Raid leader Hritik Rathi played a pivotal role in the victory, finishing with 14 raid points and repeatedly breaching the Kanpur defence at key moments. At the other end, Shivam Teotia anchored the defensive unit superbly, collecting nine tackle points and ensuring Kanpur were denied any chance of a comeback.
Purvanchal Panthers eventually closed out a comprehensive 45–30 victory, a result that surprised many and proved vital in keeping their playoff hopes alive as UPKL Season 2 moves deeper into its decisive phase.
Sangam Challengers overcome Noida Ninjas
Sangam Challengers continued their strong run by overcoming JD Noida Ninjas 34–28 in a must-win encounter. JD Noida began the match with disciplined defence and took early control by forcing an all-out, carrying a narrow lead into halftime. Sangam responded with greater intensity in the second half, combining consistent raiding with improved defensive coordination to first level the scores and then push ahead. By keeping JD Noida under sustained pressure, Sangam closed out the contest with composure, further strengthening their position during the decisive phase of the league.
Ghaziabad Gazab edge Awadh Ramdoots
The clash between Awadh Ramdoots and Gazab Ghaziabad proved to be one of the most intense matches of UPKL Season 2, with Gazab edging out a dramatic 34–30 victory. The first half was played cautiously by both sides, with defences on top and little separating the teams. Awadh raised the tempo after the interval and inflicted an all-out to open up a five-point lead, but Gazab responded with remarkable resilience. A crucial super tackle followed by a stunning super raid from Vishal Kumar, which brought in five points including an all-out, completely shifted momentum. With Uday Dabas absent, Vishal stepped up decisively as Gazab held their nerve in the closing stages to seal a memorable win amid loud support from the stands.
Brij Stars overcome Ganga Kings
Brij Stars rounded off the day with a hard-fought 34–30 win over Ganga Kings of Mirzapur, producing a strong response after a mid-match setback. Brij dominated the early exchanges and eventually forced an all-out to build a four-point lead. Ganga fought back in the second half through a super raid and briefly turned the tables by all-outing Brij to take a two-point advantage. Brij, however, regrouped quickly, tightened their defence, and responded with an all-out of their own to regain control. Managing the final phase efficiently, Brij Stars closed out the contest to cap off an eventful day.
With Day 13 completed, the do-or-die week has further intensified the playoff race. With only a handful of matches remaining for each team, the coming days are set to decisively shape the standings, as UPKL Season 2 moves closer to revealing its final top four contenders.
