While the Indian Women’s team sink the South Africans in the semi final, the Men’s team had to fight a thrilling battle to enter the final of the Kho Kho World Cup.
The Indian Women’s team continued to dominate and has entered the final of the Kho Kho World Cup with a statement 66-16 victory over South Africa.
India won the toss and strategically opted to defend first, showcasing their tactical mastery in choosing between attack and defense.
The match began positively for India but took an unfortunate turn as they were forced to substitute a player due to injury. Batch 1, featuring Nirmala, Chaitra, and Nazira, took their positions on the mat to defend.
South Africa launched continuous rallies, showcasing exceptional moves, but it was Chaitra who stole the show. Delivering a sensational 5-minute dream run, she captivated the crowd and earned a standing ovation by scoring 5 crucial points for India. The defenders held strong, requiring South Africa 5mins 23 secs to clear this resilient batch scoring 10-5 in the 1st turn.
India came out swinging in attack mode, with the first point stolen by the dynamic Wazir Nirmala, followed by Priyanka’s brilliant touch-out. The aggressive South African defense was met with India’s defensive brilliance, utilizing their Wazir in spin skills, sky dives, post dives, and flawless ground touches. The relentless display of skill and precision brought the score to an impressive 33-10 in India’s favour by the end of Turn 2.
India’s defenders showcased their expertise, flawlessly anticipating hops, dodges, and lures in front of the Wazir. Vaishnavi delivered another dream run to earn the title of Player of the Match. Meanwhile, South Africa, focused on attacking, missed crucial opportunities, struggling to make an impact in Turn 3.
In the final turn, India unleashed its repertoire of skills, with the cheers from the crowd echoing through the stadium. The women in blue, led by the captain Priyanka, demonstrated great teamwork, leaving no stone unturned. Despite South Africa’s solid defensive setup, it was tough luck for them as India dominated the play secured the victory, paving their way to finals.
The Indian Men’s team triumphed against South Africa securing their spot in the finals.
South Africa won the toss and chose to attack first, setting the stage for a thrilling start. Their incredible speed and unique kho moments caught India off guard, allowing the Africans to clean 4 batches in just 7 minutes and rack up 20 points. For the first time in the World Cup, India struggled under pressure.
Turn 2 marked a stunning comeback for India. Batch1 lasted for 72 seconds adding 6 points for the team. Spectacular sky dive from Nikhil and Pote added another 6 points. The crowd erupted as Gowtham’s sensational dive blazed across the field, adding more intensity to the moment. India delivered more powerful sky dives, they moved ahead with an 8-point lead, maintaining relentless momentum.
South Africa showcased exceptional coordination and blistering speed, wiping out the first batch in just 1 minute and 4 seconds. Ramji executed a brilliant dodge with quick, fluid movements, setting the tone for a fierce contest. A sensational pole by Mtsweni left India struggling to keep pace, and Wazir Phiri’s extreme sky dives added another layer of intensity, racking up 8 points.
In the final turn, India struggled under pressure, failing to score for the first 50 seconds. But then, Akash delivered the first sky dive, igniting the hunt for points. Wazir Pratik, back in action after a long break, pulled off a remarkable sky dive with a hefty touch, displaying true sportsmanship. With crucial sky dives from Sachin and Pote, India sealed their entry into the finals. In the end, India triumphed 60-42, securing a hard-fought victory over South Africa.
South Africa showcased remarkable skills and pushed India to their limits. Unlike any other team, they kept India on the run, maintaining pressure with every attack and keeping them on edge throughout, delivering a tough fight.
Both the Men’s and the Women’s team will face Nepal in the final.
