New Year Polo: Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup

The final and concluding polo event of the Jodhpur Polo Season 2024 took place last week, closing the year with many jubilant memories to cherish. This season featured remarkable performances from six teams across seven thrilling matches, detailed as follows:

Participating Teams 

Match 1: Jaipur vs Dhariwal Tigers 

Date: 23 December 

The festivities for the last time in Jodhpur began with the leading game between Jaipur and Dhariwal Tigers. The latter had some points advantage going into the game. Despite being disadvantaged, Jaipur could calmly assess the situation at every phase of the game and score points whenever they got a chance. Dhariwal Tigers tried to beat the odds but could not do so in the given time, and Jaipur won the first game of the Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup.

Winner: Jaipur ( 6-4.5 )

Exhibition Game: Hermes Cup 2024

Date: 23 December

The winners of the Hermes Cup presented by Mons. Patrick Guerrand Hermes – Jaipur Polo Team. The chief guest, Md, gave the felicitation. Zaki and HH Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur.

Match 2: V-Polo vs Indian Navy 

Date: 24 December 

The next day, a doubleheader featured V-Polo and the Indian Navy in the first game. V-Polo dominated all four chukkers of the game and scored consecutive goals, all while keeping the opposite side in check. As a result, V-Polo easily won their first game by a huge lead of almost five points. 

Winner: V-Polo ( 7-2.5 )

Match 3: Jodhpur vs Dhariwal Tigers 

The second game for the day was contested between Jodhpur and Dhariwal Tigers. This was the first edge-of-the-seat thriller of the Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup. Dhariwal Tigers started with a points advantage and could score goals in between, keeping them alive and kicking in the game. Jodhpur, the hosts, were not ready to back off, and in the last few moments of the game, they scored some phenomenal goals to take the lead, which was just enough to push them over the winning line. 

Winners: Jodhpur ( 8-7.5 )

Exhibition Game (Bhanwar Baijilal Vaara Rajye Cup): Jodhpur-Jaipur vs Cavalry-Royal Enfield 

Date: 25 December 

An exhibition game showcasing talents embedded within the teams of Jodhpur-Jaipur and Cavalry-Royal Enfield was held amidst the heated ongoing competition of the tournament. Entertaining the crowd, both teams scored goals simultaneously and gave chances for their supporters to cherish moments from the game. However, both were so evenly matched that the game ended in a draw, and they were declared joint champions of the Bhanwar Baijilal Vaara Rajye Cup.

Winners: Both ( 4 each )

Match 4: Bedla/Chandna vs Indian Navy 

Date: 26 December 

The next day, Jodhpur Season was back with their ongoing league games, featuring Bedla/Chandna and Indian Navy. The Navy started with a points advantage. However, this advantage was not only quickly overcome by the side of Bedla/Chandna; they also went on to dominate the remaining time of the match and scored eight goals to win their first league game. 

Winners: Bedla/Chandna ( 8-4.5 )

Match 5: Jaipur vs Jodhpur 

The next game on the same day was held between Jaipur and Jodhpur. The first half of the game was quite anticipated as both teams were seen to be on equal footing. However, in the second half, Jaipur flew away with the game by going on a rampage and scoring twice the number of goals scored by their opponents. 

Winner: Jaipur (8-4)

Match 6: Bedla/Chandna vs V-Polo 

Date: 27 December 

The final league game featured the teams of Bedla/Chandna and V-Polo. This game was crucial for both teams as it would decide the second finalist to face Jaipur in the finals. Bedla/Chandna, coming during the latter part of the tournament, could clutch this game, too. Despite the valiant efforts of V-Polo, they were able to find cracks in their fortified armoured defences, which helped them score extra goals, taking them into the finals. 

Winner: Bedla/Chandna ( 5-3 )

Final: Jaipur vs Bedla/Chandna

Date: 29 December 

Amid the chilly, flowing breeze on the Jodhpur polo grounds, the stage was set for the showdown between Bedla/Chandna and Jaipur. As the bell rang, the thunder of galloping hooves echoed across the field. Bedla/Chandna started strong, dominating the initial chukkers and building a small lead to put Jaipur on the back foot. However, Jaipur was far from ready to concede. Defying the odds, they mounted a remarkable comeback, scoring consecutive goals to clinch the victory and the prestigious Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup.

Winner: Jaipur ( 7-5 )

Exhibition Game (The Abu Seir Cup): Jodhpur Colts vs Indian Navy Cubs

Date: 30 December 

After an ecstatic finish to the last tournament of the Jodhpur Polo Season, Jodhpur was not yet fully done with the ‘King of Sports.’ Both teams were on equal footing at the start of the game, being matched on handicap points. Jodhpur Colts had a flying start and scored three goals, in response to which the opposite side could only muster one goal. The Indian Navy Cubs made a comeback in the second chukker, but after the first half, the Jodhpur Colts flew away with the game, scoring one and four goals in the third and fourth chukkers, respectively, and became worthy of raising the Abu Seir Cup.

Winner: Jodhpur Colts ( 8-3 )