Jodhpur Polo Grandeur: Rajputana and Central India Cup

Six teams, 24 players, and a brigade of magnificent horses took centre stage this winter, igniting the chilly grounds of Jodhpur with the rhythm of thundering hooves. The past week was a spectacle of exhilaration and elegance at this year’s all-new Rajputana and Central India Cup. If you missed the action, here are the highlights!

Participating Teams 

Match 1: Jaipur vs Dhariwal Tigers 

Date: 17 December 

The event’s opening game saw a thrilling clash between two formidable teams, Jaipur and Dhariwal Tigers. Despite Dhariwal Tigers entering the match with a points advantage, it turned into a nail-biter as both sides struggled to gain a decisive lead. In the end, it was Jaipur who held their nerve, outlasting Dhariwal Tigers and successfully halting their advance on the scoreboard.

Winner: Jaipur ( 5-4.5 )

Match 2: Bedla/Chandna vs Jodhpur 

Date: 18 December 

The second game was played between Bedla/Chandna and Jodhpur. Both teams were so evenly matched that the game ended up in a draw by the end of the last round. Eventually, the game went into overtime, and the former team was able to score the golden goal to end up on the winning side of this match. 

Winner: Bedla/Chandna ( 6-5 )

Match 3: V-Polo vs Jodhpur 

Date: 19 December 

The next day was a doubleheader. The first game showcased talents from the V-Polo and Jodhpur teams. It was the first game featuring the hosts, and they lived up to the expectations of their fans by giving V-Polo a run for their money. Unfortunately, they could not close the gap completely and lost their first game by a margin of just one point.

Winner: V-Polo ( 7-6 )

Match 4: Navy vs Dhariwal Tigers

The second game of that day featured the teams of the Navy and Dhariwal Tigers. Dhariwal Tigers started with a points advantage, which helped them greatly maintain a slight lead by the end of the first half. In the second half, the Navy came on strong, fortified their defences and scored the deciding goals, which helped them clear this tournament stage and advance.

Winner: Navy ( 5-3.5 )

Match 5: Bedla/Chandna vs V-Polo 

Date: 20 December 

The last league game showcased the teams of Bedla/Chandna and V-Polo. In this another edge-of-the-seat thriller, both teams fought hard to sign off the league stages with an astounding battle. Both teams managed to score five points each during the concluding chukker. In the last moments, Bedla/Chadna scored one extra goal, which helped them secure the last league game.

Winner: Bedla/Chandna ( 6-5 )

Exhibition Game (Maharaja Sardar Singh Memorial Cup): Jaipur vs Navy 

Date: 20 December 

Amidst the intense competition, an exhibition match for the prestigious Maharaja Sardar Singh Memorial Cup featured teams representing Jaipur and the Navy. Although the Navy held an early advantage, Jaipur quickly turned the tables with a series of successive goals that left the Navy on the back foot. Despite a spirited comeback attempt in the second half, the Navy couldn’t close the gap within the allotted time, allowing Jaipur to secure a well-deserved victory.

Winner: Jaipur ( 6-5.5 )

Final: Jaipur vs Bedla/Chandna 

Date: 22 December 

The highly anticipated final of this coveted cup saw two deserving teams, Jaipur and Bedla/Chandna, face off in an intense showdown. Bedla/Chandna had a stellar start, scoring three goals in the opening round. However, Jaipur quickly turned the tide in the second round, pulling ahead on the scoreboard. The second half saw both teams adding to their tally in a tightly contested battle. Unfortunately, due to an on-field accident, the game was brought to an abrupt halt, leading to both teams being declared joint winners—a fitting conclusion to a fiercely fought match.

Winners: Jaipur and Bedla/Chandna 

( Joint Winners 6 points each )

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