UP YODDHA completely annihilated Dabang Delhi K.C. to hand the hosts their fifth straight home loss at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex on Wednesday and record the biggest victory margin of the season (29 points). Nitin Tomar scored a match-high 15 points aided ably by Sagar Krishna who picked up a High 5. Rohit Baliyan’s 7- point show was the only highlight of an otherwise insignificant Delhi performance.
Rishank Devadiga set the scoreboard in motion with his bonus point but was at the receiving end of Baliyan’s running hand-touch in the very next raid, which opened Delhi’s account. Tomar and Satpal continued their good forms for their respective teams by initiating successful raids and tackles respectively as the scoreline read 7-4 in Lucknow’s favour at the end of the first quarter.
Lucknow started their onslaught from the second quarter onwards with Tomar leading the pack. His two-point raid in the 15th minute paved the way for Delhi’s first All-Out of the match. Baliyan tried to pull Delhi back into the match but Tomar’s spectacular super raid in the 19th minute ensured Lucknow entered the breather with a 20-10 lead. Tomar also completed his sixth Super 10 of the season in the process.
Lucknow started the second half with similar dominance. Tomar’s brilliance could not be handled by Delhi’s disjointed defence as they fell to their second All-Out of the match in the 26th minute, trailing 11-24. Devadiga also aided his captain in piling the agony on Delhi to ensure they entered the last 10 minutes with a massive 21-point lead.
Delhi’s plan to play defensive backfired as Lucknow’s attack rolled them over. Surender Singh’s two-point raid took Delhi to the brink of their third All-Out, which eventually happened in the 32nd minute. Trailing by an unassailable 27 points, Meraj Sheykh managed to pick his day’s first point in the 33rd minute but it was too late. Lucknow continued their assault with both their departments combining wonderfully to rout the hosts and register a 45-16 win.
Pro Kabaddi Release.