Noida: On Day 13 of the do-or-die week of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2, Purvanchal Panthers delivered a crucial, confidence-boosting performance, defeating Kanpur Warriors 45–30 to firmly keep their season alive.
The contest began cautiously, with both teams feeling each other out as Kanpur Warriors tried to apply early pressure. Purvanchal Panthers, however, stayed composed under testing conditions and ensured the first half remained tightly contested. By halftime, neither side had managed to build a decisive advantage.
The match turned decisively in the second half. Showing tremendous resilience under pressure, Purvanchal produced a series of timely super tackles that halted Kanpur’s momentum. Riding on this solid defensive foundation, the Panthers launched a strong counterattack, inflicting two all-outs on Kanpur Warriors and swinging the game firmly in their favour. As the defence tightened, the raiding unit also stepped up with aggressive and clinical raids, allowing Purvanchal to steadily extend their lead.
Raid leader Ritik Rathi played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring an impressive 14 raid points and repeatedly breaching Kanpur’s defence at crucial moments. At the other end, Shivam Tewatia marshalled the defence superbly, collecting nine tackle points and ensuring Kanpur never found a way back into the contest.
In the end, Purvanchal Panthers sealed a commanding 45–30 win—an outcome that surprised many and proved vital for their playoff aspirations as UPKL Season 2 enters its decisive phase.
In other Day 13 fixtures, JD Noida Ninjas took on Sangam Challengers, Awadh Ramdoots faced Gazab Ghaziabad, while Ganga Kings of Mirzapur went head-to-head with Bridge Stars, further intensifying the race on the points table.
