Abhinandhan Patil, an all-around player for Gujarat Giants, surpassed Durvesh Salunke of Mumbai Khiladis (30 points) to become the league’s top wazir thus far with 35 points after scoring six points in the game.
Odisha Juggernauts defeated Gujarat Giants by three points in the opening round of Ultimate Kho Kho on Sunday at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mahalunge, riding on the defensive prowess of Dilip Khandvi and Vishal.
In the dramatic game that ended with a score of 50-47, Dilip defended for four minutes and 33 seconds while Vishal did so for three minutes and four seconds. For Odisha Juggernauts, it was their third victory in the league. By ejecting four players, Wazir Subhasis Santra scored 10 points for the Odisha Juggernauts, and Milind Chavarekar added seven.
Aniket Pote and Suyash Gargate each scored nine and eight points for the Gujarat Giants. Abhinandhan Patil, an all-around player for Gujarat Giants, topped Mumbai Khiladis’ Durvesh Salunke, who had 30 points, to become the league’s best wazir with 35 points after scoring six points in the game.
Odisha Juggernauts won the toss and decided to defend earlier. Prior to being eliminated by wazir Akshay Bhangare, Vishal, who was in the second batch, won his team four extra points while defending for more than three minutes. But after the first turn, Gujarat Giants had a 22-4 advantage. Odisha Juggernauts, who entered the game having defeated Rajasthan Warriors, battled back admirably by scoring 24 more points in the attack to take a 28-24 lead at the end of the first inning.
This time, Dilip played outstanding defence for the Odisha Juggernauts, lasting three minutes and 32 seconds in the third turn and scoring six extra points for the squad. He had already spent more than a minute defending on the first turn. Gujarat only managed to score 19 points during the attack as a result of Dilip’s defence, giving them a slim 43-34 lead at the conclusion. When Gowtham MK dismissed Sagar Potdar, the Odisha Juggernauts secured a thrilling victory and snapped Gujarat Giants’ winning streak.
Rajasthan Warriors will take on Telugu Yoddhas later on Sunday in their pursuit of the season’s first victory. Telugu Yoddhas will take on Mumbai Khiladis on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday, while Gujarat Giants will face Chennai Quick Guns in the second game of the day.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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