Published: January 6, 2026 at 11:17 am
Sangam Challengers produced a composed and resilient performance to defeat Kanpur Warriors 37–32 in the opening match of Day 12 of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 in Noida on Monday, registering their third consecutive win and moving up from seventh position to second place on the league table.
Kanpur Warriors began the contest with aggression, applying early pressure and pushing Sangam close to an all-out situation. Just as Kanpur looked set to seize control, Sangam Challengers responded with a crucial super tackle, halting Kanpur’s momentum. Building on that defensive stand, Sangam quickly turned the tables by inflicting an all-out on Kanpur Warriors, swinging the match firmly in their favour.
Sangam did not allow Kanpur to settle after that phase and continued to apply pressure through disciplined defence and controlled raiding, extending their lead before halftime. The momentum carried into the second half, where Sangam struck early once again by forcing another all-out on Kanpur, opening up a significant cushion on the scoreboard.
Kanpur Warriors showed determination and attempted a comeback by tightening their defence, producing two back-to-back super tackles to reduce the deficit to ten points. However, Sangam responded intelligently by slowing the tempo of the game, managing raids carefully, and ensuring Kanpur were denied any sustained momentum.
A key factor in Sangam’s control was the defensive effort led by captain Mayank Malik, who delivered an outstanding performance with eight tackle points, repeatedly denying Kanpur’s raiders at crucial moments and preventing a late turnaround.
Sangam Challengers eventually closed out a 37–32 victory, continuing their upward surge and strengthening their position as the league enters its most decisive phase.
Kashi Kings scored a dominant 52–32 victory over Purvanchal Panthers
Yoddhas hold their nerve to down Kings
Yamuna Yoddhas held their nerve in a fiercely contested encounter to defeat Ganga Kings of Mirzapur 49–44, producing a strong finish after multiple momentum swings. Ganga responded well to an early Yamuna super raid by tightening their defence and inflicting an all-out to take a five-point lead. Yamuna gradually fought back, with Lakshay’s super raid reducing the margin before Yamuna forced an all-out to bring the scores level. The match then turned into an intense end-to-end battle, with both sides trading raids and tackles. In the final minute, Yamuna raised their intensity and inflicted a decisive all-out to seal the victory.
Lions assert their dominance over Tigers
Lucknow Lions asserted their dominance early to overpower Aligarh Tigers 52–35, controlling the match from the opening phase. Within the first five minutes, Lucknow forced an all-out and set the tone for the contest. The Lions rotated their squad confidently, giving opportunities to younger players, with Anurag Pandya producing a super raid that played a key role in destabilising Aligarh’s defence and leading to another all-out. Aligarh attempted to regroup in the second half, but the early damage proved too significant, as Lucknow maintained control through structured raiding and disciplined defence to close out a comprehensive win.
Kings returns to winning ways
Kashi Kings returned to winning ways with a dominant 52–32 victory over Purvanchal Panthers, producing a powerful second-half performance. The first half remained competitive, with both teams matching each other raid for raid and tackle for tackle. However, the match turned decisively after the break when Kashi tightened their defence and inflicted an all-out, triggering a surge in confidence. From there, Kashi maintained relentless pressure, forcing further all-outs and denying Purvanchal any chance of recovery, before closing out a commanding win.
Television actors Anup Upadhyay and Vishwajeet Soni soak up the atmosphere at the Uttar Pradesh Kabbadi League on Monday
With Day 12 concluded, the battle for the top two positions has intensified sharply, with teams separated by narrow margins and only three to four matches remaining for each side. As UPKL Season 2 moves deeper into its do-or-die phase, every result now carries heightened significance in the race at the top of the table.
The action at the Noida Indoor Stadium was witnessed by television actors Anup Upadhyay and Vishwajeet Soni, who were present at the venue. They interacted with players and officials and were seen enjoying the high-intensity kabaddi on display.
