Sunday, January 19, 2025
News

Indian men surge past South Africa in thrilling Kho Kho World Cup 2025 semifinal

   SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

New Delhi | January 18, 2025 11:12:40 PM IST
In a captivating display of skill and resilience, the Indian men's Kho Kho team overcame a strong South African challenge to secure their spot in the World Cup 2025 final with a 62-42 victory at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

The match showcased exceptional defensive prowess and strategic gameplay from both sides before India pulled away in the decisive final turn.

A strong start from the South Africans prevented Pratik Waikar and Aditya Ganpule from going on a Dream Run, with a lot of the credit going to their Wazir. Their attackers then got Mehul and Sachin Bhargo in a tough fight for batch two, but Aniket Pote dragged his batch to 2 minutes and 38 seconds. This summed up Turn 1, as the South Africans managed to score 18 points, a release from Kho Kho World Cup 2025 stated.

An attacking Indian team came back hard in Turn 2, with Nikhil B in fine form as they had a tough fight on their hands. With just 14 points compared to the South Africans' 20 points, Aditya Ganpule and Gowtham M got the team back into the game with their expansive play, ensuring the score was 24-20 at the end of Turn 2.

Khozi of South Africa was the main threat to the Indian defenders in Turn 3. He ensured that the Men in Blue were all-out within 2 minutes to prevent the Dream Run, equalizing the score in the process. Ramji Kashyap, Pabani Sabar, and Suyash Gargate improved this time to 2 minutes and 30 seconds for batch 2, as the South Africans increased the lead to 38. As Turn 3 came to an end, the score was at 42-28, setting up an exciting final turn in the search for a place in the final.

Akash Kumar got Khoza and Mehul to give India an extremely important start to Turn 4. With 5 minutes and 10 seconds left on the clock, the score difference was just 4 points, but the skipper and Wazir Pratik Waikar got Khoza with an exceptional skydive. It was at this point that Mehul turned up the heat with a move that took them above their opponents. The match eventually ended with an impressive scoreline of 62-42, despite a tough fight from the South Africans.

The Indian team will face Nepal in the final at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Sunday, January 19.

The Nepal Men qualified for the finals of the Men's division of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 after beating IR Iran 72-29 in their semifinal clash. (ANI)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS (0)
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE SPORTS NEWS
Karnataka crowned Vijay Hazare Trophy 20...
Legend 90 League to kick off from Februa...
ISL: 10-men Kerala Blasters FC snatch a ...
Indian men surge past South Africa in th...
HIL: UP Rudras win 1-0 against Team Gona...
Ankita Raina wins ITF W50 doubles title ...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
Tripura Police Week 2025 focuses on publ...
Congress' Sandeep Dikshit slams BJP's De...
'Arvind Kejriwal's car ran over BJP work...
'Rahul Gandhi wants to fight with Consti...
Maharashtra: TV Actor Aman Jaiswal kille...
Fresh tussle starts between BJP, AAP ahe...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
Unable to move forward until we rec... 
Karnataka crowned Vijay Hazare Trop... 
Protesters gather in Washington DC ... 
"Can't imagine glueing more story..... 
Functioning of biological membranes... 
"This date in my 2025 calendar will... 
Pakistan: Jeay Sindh Freedom Moveme... 
Sheikha Bodour inaugurates 1st Shar...