Pro Kabaddi 2018, Telugu Titans vs UP Yoddha Highlights: As it Happened

It was close till the end, but @Telugu_Titans finally brush past the challenge of @UpYoddha 34-29, to keep their winning start to #VivoProKabaddi Season 6 intact! #HYDvUP

— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) October 13, 2018

A super raid here from Telugu Titans to finish the game here! Rahul Choudhari makes his most significant contribution of the match, albeit towards the end. 

Time out taken by Yoddha, and the UP coach is emphasizing to his players how they need not go in for the win now. Protect the seven point deficit, and they won't go back from this tie empty-handed.

Nilesh Salunkhe has come back for the raid now, and he won't make the same mistake again this time. He patiently tries to run down the clock.

It's slowly getting away from @UpYoddha, as @Telugu_Titans keep on picking up points regularly!
Is there a way back for the men from the north? Watch #HYDvUP's climax, LIVE on Star Sports. #VivoProKabaddi

— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) October 13, 2018

A break has been taken here, and the lead has now been reduced to five points.

Two vital points for UP Yoddha here! Nilesh Salunkhe goes in aggressive for a do-or-die raid, and all he needed to do was kill time. Yet, he tries to get the touch and extend the lead for his team, but the Yoddha duo of defenders do well to contain him.

The UP Yoddhas' next job here would be to ensure that even if they go down, they go down with a margin of less than seven to claim the bonus point in the match. Such has been the dominance of the Telugu Titans defence in this match.

21-28 to Telugu Titans now. It has been staggering how the lead has not been below four points after a certain stage in the first half. Consistent Kabaddi from the Telugu Titans.

The score now reads 26-19 to the Telugu Titans. They've had a vice like grip on this match throughout, and Rahul Choudhari finally does well in a do-or die raid to extend the lead. He gets a touch here, and the score reads 27-19 to Telugu Titans now.

Banter from the Telugu Titans here.

Mohsen: ENOUGH-
Nilesh: -IS ENOUGH!
Gotta hand it to our boys for working in such unity tonight! 💛
25-17#HYDvUP #EeRanamMaadhe pic.twitter.com/6Xt1pIIS2F

— Telugu Titans (@Telugu_Titans) October 13, 2018

Vishal Bhardwaj from the Telugu Titans is now on the raid, and they would be hoping to run the clock down to play on the bonus point now.

Rahul Choudhari though, has really not been at the top of his game today. He is contained once again by the Yoddha defence, The fact that Telugu Titans are now up 23-17 in the game is more a testament to their defence, rather than their raiding skills.

The score now reads 21-14 to Telugu Titans, and they are maintaining a steady lead as the match goes on.

A do or die raid for Prashant Rai of Yoddha is on right now, with no bonus point on. Abozar Meghani is at the top of his game once again, and Yoddha increase their lead with a super tackle.

The match resumes, and two quickfire defensive performances by Telugu Titans means that they now lead 20-13.

The score reads 18-13 to Telugu Titans at Half time.

Abozar Meghani is at it again! There was super tackle opportunity on for UP Yoddha but his leg hold ensures that the Yoddha raider cannot make it back into his half. Super stuff here from the Iranian.

Telugu Titans challenges, they say only one point was gained, while the TV umpires gave two. Rishank Devadiga is adamant that he earned two points, and the decision stands as the TV umpire agrees. Good comeback here by UP Yoddha, and these two points could be vital by the end of the match should things get tight.

It's been such a cagey encounter so far, where top raiders have struggled so far. Quite opposite to what was initially expected from the match.

Just about three minutes are remaining, and some smart defending by Telugu Titans, backing off UP Yoddha captain Rishank Devadiga means that the score now reads 15-10 to Telugu Titans.

It has been a tactical battle so far from both sides, a good example in displaying that Kabaddi is not always about the might and brawn. The score reads 11-9 to Telugu Titans currently.

Fantastic work from Sagar Krishna and the right corner to counter the threat of Nilesh Salunkhe of the Telugu Titans! He asks for the bonus though, and it has been referred to the review umpire. From replays, it looks like a close call. and the bonus is eventually given. Good work by Salunkhe there, even after being contained.

Rahul Choudhari is back on the raid, but recedes once again without scoring a point. He might be playing for the away side here, but all you can hear when he's on the mat are cheers from the crowd. That's how popular Rahul Choudhari is in Sonepat!

The do-or-die raid has come fast here, and Rishank Devadiga picks up the bonus on the left hand side. This might be a strategy here, as he leaves the scoring and touches to the other raiders in his team while he fishes for the bonuses.

The score now reads 4-2. Teugu Titans raider Nilesh Salunkhe executes a well worked toe touch and glides back into his half. Well done by the raider here. By the end of the raid, the score reads 5-2.

Rishank Devadiga is on the attack and he decides against taking a risk in the initial stages of the match, wanting to fully avoid the corner which is occupied by Abozar. He goes back without even venturing for a bonus point.

Abozar Meghani is at the top of his game here as he thwarts an attack from the UP Yoddha to lead a defensive swoop. 3-0 to Telugu Titans.

Telugu Titans has opened the scoring with a cheeky bonus. 1-0 to the away side here. UP might use the left raiders Shrikanth Jadhav and Prashant Rai a bit more in this match.

The match has started, and Rahul Choudhari has begun the raid for Telugu Titans.