The match was a captivating display of skill and determination from the outset. Bharat Hooda’s impactful raids, including a significant two-point raid early on, helped the Titans establish a slight advantage. The defensive units also shone, with players like Shubham Shinde and Deepak Sankar making crucial tackles. The Bulls managed to equalize the score at 6-6 through solid defensive plays from Satyappa Matti and scoring raids from Akash Shinde.

As the first quarter concluded, Chetan Sahu’s two-point raid restored the Titans’ lead, making it 10-8. Bharat Hooda and Aman further extended this lead, but Akash Shinde’s aggressive raiding brought the Bulls back within a single point.

The Titans maintained a narrow four-point lead heading into halftime, with contributions from Chetan Sahu and Bharat Hooda, alongside defensive efforts from Aman. However, the Bulls finished the half strongly with Akash Shinde and Satyappa Matti, keeping the score at a close 16-14.

The second half saw a more strategic approach, with defenders taking prominence. Ajit Pawar and Sanjay made key tackles for their respective teams. The Bulls then intensified their play, with Aashish Malik securing a two-point raid, and a decisive ALL OUT, aided by Satyappa Matti’s tackling, saw them take the lead at 24-21.

Bharat Hooda responded for the Titans with a crucial two-point raid, and an Ajit Pawar tackle brought the scores level at 24-24 with ten minutes remaining. In the tense final minutes, the Titans surged ahead. Bharat Hooda achieved his Super 10, and Shankar Gadai’s tackle led to an ALL OUT, giving the Titans a 31-28 lead. Vijay Malik delivered vital raids in the closing moments, securing the Titans’ four-point advantage. Despite Alireza Mirzaian’s Super 10 for the Bulls, Vijay Malik’s own Super 10 sealed the 37-32 victory for the Telugu Titans, marking a memorable win in the Southern Derby and securing their spot in Eliminator 3.

The initial phase of the match saw both teams exercising caution, with successful defensive plays from both sides. Gagan Gowda broke the deadlock with a vital Do-Or-Die Raid, providing the Yoddhas with an early advantage. While the Yoddhas’ defense, anchored by Mahender Singh, showed early promise by stopping Moein Shafaghi twice, the Tamil Thalaivas gradually found their footing, primarily through the efforts of their lead raider, Arjun Deshwal. Deshwal consistently breached the Yoddhas’ defense, while Sagar Rathee’s strong tackling led to an All Out against the UP side.

Despite the setback, the Yoddhas fought back tenaciously. Gagan Gowda and Bhavani Rajput kept the scoreboard ticking with their sharp raids and crucial touchpoints. The defensive partnership of Mahender and Hitesh also made significant tackles, preventing the Thalaivas from establishing a commanding lead. The first half concluded with the Tamil Thalaivas holding a narrow 17-14 advantage, setting the stage for an intense second half.

The second half commenced with a more measured approach from both sides. However, the UP Yoddhas’ defense soon asserted control, with Hitesh delivering a masterclass in tackling, executing consecutive takedowns on Aashish and Moein Shafaghi, thereby stifling the Thalaivas’ momentum. The game evolved into a tactical battle, but Guman Singh found his offensive stride, delivering a game-changing double-point raid that eliminated key Thalaivas players. Though the Thalaivas attempted a late surge, the Yoddhas maintained their composure, with Guman Singh sealing a remarkable comeback win.

The Paltan’s offense was spearheaded by stellar performances from raiders Pankaj Mohite, who bagged nine points, and Aslam Inamdar, contributing seven points. The match, despite a valiant effort from the Thalaivas, largely remained one-sided. Adding to the Paltan’s strength, defender Gurdeep achieved a High Five, bolstering their defensive efforts.

From the outset, Puneri Paltan established control, led by captain Aslam Inamdar. The early minutes saw raiders dominate, with the first tackle of the game leading to an All Out against the Tamil Thalaivas. This early setback put the Thalaivas on the defensive, and they struggled to recover their momentum.

Pankaj Mohite’s agility and Aslam Inamdar’s all-round contribution proved crucial in Puneri Paltan building a significant lead. While Arjun Deshwal put up a consistent fight for the Thalaivas, their defense began to buckle under the relentless pressure from the Paltan. A key turning point was Mohite’s two-point raid, which severely impacted the Thalaivas’ confidence. Despite some strong defensive plays from the Thalaivas, Puneri Paltan maintained their advantage, heading into halftime with a comfortable nine-point lead at 20-11.

The second half saw the Thalaivas show flashes of brilliance, with Nitesh Kumar and Ronak making crucial tackles. However, Puneri Paltan’s balanced attack and solid defense, particularly from Vishal Bhardwaj and Gurdeep, ensured they never relinquished control. The final All Out, inflicted by Aslam Inamdar on key Thalaivas defenders, sealed the dominant victory for Puneri Paltan, confirming their playoff berth.

At the Viswanadh Sports Club Stadium, Bengaluru faced the three-time champions Patna in the 17th match of the season. Bengaluru, having lost their initial three matches, desperately needed a win, and their attack and defense proved formidable in this match. With excellent performances from Alireza Mirjafari (10 points) and Ashish Malik (8 points), Bengaluru defeated Patna with a score of 38-30.