UPKL Season 2 Updates: The seventh day of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 at the Noida Indoor Stadium unfolded as a blend of inspiration and high-octane action, as World Cup–winning player Anu Sen was felicitated at the venue, followed by four matches that showcased defensive dominance, individual brilliance, one-sided authority, and a tense finish to close the day.
Anu Sen, a member of India’s Women’s Kabaddi World Cup–winning squad, was honoured during the day’s proceedings. She expressed her happiness at being invited to witness UPKL Season 2 and appreciated the presence of platforms like UPKL, highlighting how such leagues strengthen the sport and create more competitive opportunities, including for women players.
UPKL Founder and Director Sambhav Jain reiterated that grassroots development remains central to the league’s vision and confirmed that plans are being explored to introduce women’s initiatives under the UPKL framework in the future.
Purvanchal Panthers step up defensively to outclass Brij Stars
The opening match of the day saw Purvanchal Panthers deliver a composed and structured performance to defeat Brij Stars 48–35, marking their second win of the season.
Both teams began the contest with confidence in attack, trading raids and keeping the scoreboard moving. However, Purvanchal’s growing control in defence began to show as the first half progressed. The defining phase came when Purvanchal Panthers forced an all-out on Brij Stars, allowing them to create separation on the scoreboard.
Raider Hritik Rathi was instrumental during this phase, applying steady pressure and helping Purvanchal head into halftime with a five-point advantage.
The second half saw Purvanchal elevate its defensive intensity further, producing what was arguably their most disciplined showing of the season. An early all-out after the break widened the gap, and Brij Stars struggled to recover rhythm in defence. In the closing stages, Bhanu Pratap delivered a decisive super raid, collecting three points and effectively shutting the door on any comeback attempt. Another late all-out ensured Purvanchal maintained full control until the final whistle.
Uday Dabas leads from the front as Gazab Ghaziabad down Sangam Challengers
The second match of Day 7 once again belonged to Gazab Ghaziabad captain Uday Dabas, who produced a commanding performance to guide his side to a 38–33 victory over Sangam Challengers.
Gazab Ghaziabad asserted themselves early, with Dabas dictating the tempo through fearless and consistent raiding. His ability to extract points even under pressure allowed Gazab to steadily build momentum, resulting in an 11-point lead at halftime. Sangam struggled to find answers in the first half, as Gazab combined aggressive raiding with timely defensive stops.
After the break, Sangam Challengers attempted to shift tactics by focusing on keeping Dabas off the mat. While this slowed Gazab momentarily, the gap widened again when Sangam were forced into an all-out situation. Sangam mounted a late fightback through Pankaj Thakur, who finished with 12 raid points, but Gazab managed the game smartly in the closing minutes.
Uday Dabas finished with an outstanding 23 points (16 touch points and seven bonus points), underlining his leadership and impact as Gazab Ghaziabad secured their second win of UPKL Season 2.
Yamuna Yoddhas overwhelm Kanpur Warriors with authority
The third match of the day turned into a one-sided affair as Yamuna Yoddhas delivered a dominant 51–32 win over Kanpur Warriors.
Yamuna took control early and never allowed Kanpur to settle, combining sharp raiding with relentless defensive pressure. The Warriors were forced into errors repeatedly, resulting in four all-outs across the match. Yamuna also executed two super raids, stretching the contest well beyond Kanpur’s reach.
Ritik Sharma starred for Yamuna Yoddhas, finishing with 16 points and repeatedly breaching the Kanpur defence. Kanpur showed isolated resistance through super tackles and individual effort from Sushant, who scored 15 points, but the overall balance of the match remained firmly in Yamuna’s favour. The result was sealed comfortably well before the final whistle.
JD Noida Ninjas stay composed to edge Aligarh Tigers in close finish
The final match of Day 7 delivered a tense contest, with JD Noida Ninjas holding on for a narrow 38–36 victory over Aligarh Tigers.
Aligarh entered the match without key raider Vinay, while Kunal Bhati was still managing discomfort following an injury sustained in the previous game. JD Noida capitalised in the first half, applying pressure through aggressive raids and compact defence. Their efforts paid off when they inflicted an all-out on Aligarh, allowing them to open up a nine-point lead at halftime.
The second half saw Aligarh Tigers respond with greater urgency. They tightened their defence, managed to inflict an all-out on JD Noida, and gradually reduced the gap, keeping the contest alive until the closing minutes. Despite the late surge, JD Noida Ninjas displayed composure under pressure, executing key raids and tackles at crucial moments to protect their slim advantage and close out the match.