New Delhi: India prevailed over Nepal in the opening match of the Kho Kho World Cup played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The Pratik Waikar-led team registered 42-37 win after attacking first in the first turn. The match started only after a grand opening ceremony with many government officials present at the venue. Former professional wrestler Great Khali also was among the list of guests who turned up in the national capital as India’s indigenous game went global.
Within the first minute into the match, India managed to inflict all-out on the first batch of Nepal. Thanks to Pratik Waikar and Suyash Karkare going full throttle in the attack with captain Pratik donning the jersey of the Wazir – a special attacker who can freely go in a to and fro motion rather the linear one of a regular attack.
The first-ever match of the #KhoKhoWorldCup is here! 🔥
Mr. M.S. Tyagi (General Secretary KKFI), Ms. P.T. Usha (President, Indian Olympic Association), Raksha Khadse (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India), The Great Khali (Former Indian professional wrestler), Mr Rajiv… pic.twitter.com/LgPiem2SQ7
— Kho Kho World Cup India 2025 (@Kkwcindia) January 13, 2025
The Indian team went full on their attack as they managed to impose three more all-out of the next three more batches and that too with 48 seconds left in the first turn. After the third batch was dimissed entirely, there were a few substitutions from the Indians, with the Wazir also being changed.
The Indians were allowed to attack for the remaining 48 seconds but didn’t add any points further to their tally
Pratik and Aditya and Gautam were on the mat as India’s starting three defenders. Nepal took 1 minute and 51 seconds to dismiss the first batch of the Indians. The second batch of Indians showed dogged defence as they denied the touch from Nepal for close to two minutes before Suyash was dismissed. That was the moment Nepal quickly managed to get the second batch out with their Wazir putting gargantuan effort to wrap the proceedings.
The third batch was even more vigil and made the Nepal defenders to sweat on. Only with 44 seconds left on the clock, Nepal had to ensure the final batch of the hosts were back in the hut in the stipulated time. However, only one of the three defenders was tagged by Nepal as India led by 24-20 at the end of the second turn.
India overcomes Nepal’s resurgent defense in second half
Nepal were really sharp in their defense as they kept India in the hunt with the first batch running for 1 minute and 11 seconds. Nepal earned a dream run after successfully denying India a point for three minutes. They carried on the momentum and their last batch remained unbeaten after the third turn. India led at 42-21, adding just 18 points in the third turn.
Just 14 seconds into the start of the fourth turn, Nepal tagged their first point. Pratik and Ganpule showed brilliance by resisting on the mat and deceiving the Nepal attackers, though they fell short of the dream run by over 37 seconds. Subhu grinded the opposition as the second batch was dismissed with two minutes and 14 seconds left on the clock.
As Nepal were under tremendous pressure to tag five Indian players in the remaining time, Ramji Kashyap departed after the umpire review showed he was touched. Pabani and Suyash were left to dodge for the last 90 seconds.
Nepal challenged for a touch on Pabani but to no avail as the duo managed to survive till the final minute, giving India won the first encounter by 42-37 score line after the final whistle. Aditya Ganpule was awarded as the player of the match for his amazing performance in the match.
India secured a thrilling 42-37 victory over Nepal in the opening match of the Kho Kho World Cup. Pratik Waikar led India’s attack, securing multiple all-outs. Nepal mounted a strong defense in the latter half, but India held on for the win. Aditya Ganpule was named player of the match. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
