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Lucknow Lions Crush Yamuna Yoddhas 60-44 in Crucial UPKL Do-or-Die Clash

Lucknow Lions delivered a commanding performance to defeat Yamuna Yoddhas 60-44 in a high-stakes Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League match. The victory denied Yamuna Yoddhas a chance to move into second place during the critical Do-or-Die Week. Young raider Shivam was flawless, scoring 19 raid points from 19 attempts for a 100% strike rate. The win, sealed with late all-outs, solidifies Lucknow's position at the top end of the league table.

Key Points: UPKL: Lucknow Lions Defeat Yamuna Yoddhas 60-44

  • Lucknow wins 60-44
  • Shivam scores 19/19 raid points
  • Yamuna denied 2nd place
  • Two decisive all-outs by Lucknow
  • UPKL playoff race intensifies
2 min read

UPKL: Lucknow Lions halt Yamuna Yoddhas' surge in high-stakes clash

Lucknow Lions halt Yamuna Yoddhas' surge with a dominant 60-44 win in UPKL's Do-or-Die Week, led by Shivam's perfect 19-raid performance.

"Their defence tightened further in the closing stages... effectively sealing the contest. - UPKL Press Release"

Noida, January 7

The pressure of the Do-or-Die Week was evident in the opening match of Day 14 of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League season two, as Lucknow Lions produced a statement performance to defeat Yamuna Yoddhas 60-44, denying Yamuna the opportunity to move into second place on the league table at a critical stage of the season.

With a potential jump to the second position at stake during the Do-or-Die Week, Yamuna Yoddhas began the contest with clear intent and urgency. Their aggressive approach paid early dividends as they managed to force an all-out on Lucknow Lions, signalling their hunger in a high-pressure encounter. League-leading raider Ritik Sharma led the charge, repeatedly testing the Lucknow defence and keeping the contest finely balanced in the opening exchanges, as per a press release from UPKL.

Lucknow Lions, however, responded with composure and experience. Led by senior campaigner Arjun Deshwal and supported by a sharp defensive unit, the defending champions gradually wrestled back control. The momentum swung decisively when Lucknow inflicted two all-outs on Yamuna Yoddhas, turning the tide and opening up a clear gap on the scoreboard.

Despite the setback, Yamuna Yoddhas refused to back down. Ritik Sharma continued to apply pressure through relentless raiding, attempting to drag his side back into contention. The match remained tense through the middle phase, with Yamuna repeatedly searching for momentum-changing moments.

Lucknow Lions ensured those moments never arrived. Their defence tightened further in the closing stages, and in the dying minutes, they delivered the decisive blow by forcing another all-out on Yamuna Yoddhas, effectively sealing the contest.

A standout performance came from Lucknow's young raider Shivam, who delivered a flawless display, scoring 19 raid points from 19 raids to register a remarkable 100 per cent strike rate. His consistency, combined with Arjun Deshwal's leadership, ensured Lucknow Lions closed out a dominant 60-44 victory, reinforcing their position at the top end of the table and halting Yamuna's push for second place.

Later on Day 14, matches were also played between Kanpur Warriors vs Kashi Kings, JD Noida Ninjas vs Purvanchal Panthers, and Awadh Ramdoots vs Sangam Challengers, as the race for the top positions continued to intensify.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Shivam's performance was unbelievable! 19 raids, 19 points? That's a 100% strike rate! Such a young talent. UPKL is really unearthing some future stars for the national team. 🇮🇳
V
Vikram M
Tough loss for Yamuna Yoddhas. They started so well but Lucknow's defence was just too strong in the end. Ritik Sharma tried his best, but kabaddi is a team sport. The race for the top 4 is getting very interesting now!
S
Sarah B
As a new fan following UPKL from abroad, the intensity is amazing! The "Do-or-Die Week" concept really adds drama. The production and commentary are also top-notch, making it easy to follow.
R
Rohit P
While the match was exciting, I feel the article focuses too much on Lucknow. Yamuna's fightback in the middle phase deserved a bit more highlight. Ritik Sharma was a warrior out there. Respect to both teams!
K
Kavya N
State leagues like UPKL are so important for grassroots development. Seeing local players from towns across UP become heroes is fantastic. More power to our traditional sports! 🙏

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