Pune: Odisha Juggernauts are one win away from being crowned champions of the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho League.
On Friday evening, the Juggernauts dominated from start to finish to overcome arch-rivals Gujarat Giants 57-43 in Qualifier 1 and cruise into Sunday’s championship round.
The Giants will get another chance to seal a berth in the final when they face Telugu Yoddhas in Qualifier 2 on Saturday. Telugu Yoddhas outplayed Chennai Quick Guns 61-43 in the Eliminator earlier in the evening to keep their hopes alive.
League toppers Gujarat Giants and second-placed Odisha Juggernauts had won a match apiece in their two clashes earlier. On the day it mattered most, however, Juggernauts brought their A-game to the court at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.
Spearheaded admirably by Suraj Lande, Odisha led 27-18 at the halfway stage. The Juggernauts piled on the pressure in the third turn and swelled their lead to 51-20.
Gujarat Giants went for broke in the final turn and managed to close the gap, but they were left with too much to do in the final 7 minutes.
Odisha’s Suraj was adjudged best attacker of the match.
