In a thrilling conclusion to the Habanos Cavalry Gold Cup 2025 polo tournament, Optiemus Achievers emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Jindal Panthers 8-7 in the final. The prestigious event, held at the Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi, saw a nail-biting contest that went into extra time. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff and President of the Indian Polo Association, graced the occasion as the chief guest, witnessing a spectacular display of equestrian skill. The tournament, which commenced on November 11, was organized by Chingari president Chetan Seth. Optiemus Achievers’ formidable lineup included national polo player Hurr Ali, alongside Gunner Uday Kumar Yadav, Shamsheer Ali, and Daniel Otamendi. Facing them were the Jindal Panthers, captained by Lok Sabha MP Naveen Jindal, and featuring Mahesh Sharma, Jaun Agustin G Grossi, and the esteemed Arjun awardee Simran Singh Shergill. The match unfolded over four seven-minute ‘chakras’. Optiemus Achievers took an early lead, securing two goals in the first chakra while Jindal Panthers managed one. The second chakra saw Optiemus Achievers extend their lead with three more goals, despite Jindal Panthers adding two. The third chakra proved a stalemate with no goals scored. The final chakra was a dramatic comeback for Jindal Panthers, who scored four goals to level the score at 7-7. This forced the match into extra time, where Shamsheer Ali of Optiemus Achievers scored the decisive eighth goal, securing the championship title.
