The 65th Senior National Kabaddi Championships is all set to reach its conclusion with the Men's semi-finals and final to be played today at the Gachibowli indoor stadium in Hyderabad.
Nitin Tomar's (L) Services take on Anup Kumar's (R) Haryana in the 2nd Semi-final of Kabaddi nationals
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and Services booked their place in the last four stage of the competition after prevailing in closely-fought encounters at the quarter-final stage and will be looking to against bring their A game to the table as they aim to secure the traditional holy grail in Indian kabaddi.
In the first semi-final, Sukesh Hegde will lead his well-balanced Haryana side against Maharashtra that possesses players like Rishank Devadiga, Nitin Madane, Sachin Shingade and Girish Ernak in their ranks. So it will be a battle between Karnataka's raiders and Maharashtra's defence.
In the second semi-final the mighty Haryana led by the iconic Anup Kumar will seek an improved show against defending champions Services than what his troops managed against Rajasthan side that came pretty close to knocking them out. This clash will see the competition's two most well-rounded teams go head to head and a very tight encounter that's likely to go the distance is expected.
The final will be played an hour after the two semi-finals.
Updated Date: Jan 05, 2018 22:14 PM
Highlights
HT: Maharashtra 17-12 Services
Rishank Devadiga's brilliance has kept Maharashtra in front but but with just two men on the court for the west-Indian state, this game is right in the balance. Big 2nd half coming up!
SERVICES into the final!
Defending champions Services qualify for the final with a 32-28 win over Haryana. Complete performance from Nitin Tomar's men
HT: Services 20-12 Haryana
A late surge from the defending champions cleans up Haryana just before HT. Services with a healthy lead
MAHARASHTRA WIN!
Rishank Devadiga delivers in the do-or-die raid and Maharashtra win the game by 35-34. What a game! Kabaddi you beauty!
HT: Maharashtra 22-11 Karnataka
Maharashtra's all-round show has put them in a commanding position in this 1st semi-final. Karnataka have a mountain to climb in the 2nd half especially with the Maharashtrian defence going great guns
22:14 (IST)
That's it from us. It was scintillating Kabaddi Nationals yet again and Maharashtra courtesy their captain Rishank Devadiga are crowned champions. We will keep bringing you all the developments from the world of kabaddi. Keep following Firstpost. Good night!
22:10 (IST)
Rishank Devadiga lifts the winners' trophy. Maharashtra are Champions of India after 11 years
22:07 (IST)
Surjeet is awarded the runners-up trophy. No second gold medal for Ram Mehar Singh after win in ProKabaddi with Patna Pirates
22:04 (IST)
The presentation ceremony has begun.
21:58 (IST)
Rishank Devadiga on victory: I had the belief that I will score points whenever necessary. We defended well too. We have made all Maharashtrians proud. Now it's time to party hard
21:56 (IST)
Maharashtra win Senior National Kabaddi Championship after 11 years
21:55 (IST)
Jai Bhavani! Jai Shivaji! These chants echo the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium as Maharashtra claim the title in stunning fashin
21:54 (IST)
MAHARASHTRA ARE CHAMPIONS!
Rishank Devadiga's fantastic show helps Maharashtra upstage Services by 34-29. Fantastic performance from Rishank Devadiga's men. Deserved champions
21:51 (IST)
TUSHAR PATIL AGAIN! Another point in a do-or-die raid and Maharashtra now lead by 4 points with just 52 seconds left. That should be it for Maharashtra!
21:49 (IST)
BIG MOMENT! Brilliant from Tushar Patil as he scores in the do-or-die raid. Services down to just three men. Maharashtra now lead 30-26 with 3 minutes to play
21:46 (IST)
Maharashtra coming back strongly. Nitin Tomar and Ajay Kumar perish. Maharashtra now lead 29-26 with four minutes to go
21:44 (IST)
SUPER TACKLE!
Once again Monu Goyat is out. Maharashtra now in the lead at 27-26 and more importantly Rishank Devadiga is back in court. This raid could be pivotal5 minutes to play
21:41 (IST)
SUPER TACKLE!
Maharashtra with a crucial tackle. 25-25! This game is impossible to call.
21:40 (IST)
Monu Goyat again! 2-point raid and Services are in front with Rishank Devadiga on the bench. 25-23 the score with less than 9 minutes left
21:39 (IST)
RISHANK OUT!
Big moment for Services as Maharashtra captain sent to the bench. 23-23!
21:36 (IST)
22-22! Services have leveled things up. Monu Goyat with another 2-point raid. He is proving to be talisman for the defending champions
21:35 (IST)
What Monu can do, Rishank can do better!
Maharashtra captain sends Nitin Tomar packing. Maharashtra leading by a siungle point with 13 minutes left to play
21:33 (IST)
25' Maharashtra 20-19 Services
21:30 (IST)
ALL OUT!
Monu Goyat cleans up Maharashtra and Services are back in it. Maharashtra still lead 19-17!
21:29 (IST)
Rishank to the rescue again! What an evening he is having. Another 2-point raid. Maharashtra lead 19-13
21:28 (IST)
Second half starts!
21:25 (IST)
HT: Maharashtra 17-12 Services
Rishank Devadiga's brilliance has kept Maharashtra in front but but with just two men on the court for the west-Indian state, this game is right in the balance. Big 2nd half coming up!
21:24 (IST)
Rishank Devadiga rescues Maharashtra! 2-point raid for the captain and Maharashtra revive one member. Maharashtra lead 17-12
21:22 (IST)
Monu strikes again! Another 2-point raid and the deficit is just 3 points. Maharashtra are just down to 2 men. Services have come back strongly
21:19 (IST)
MONU GOYAT!
2-point raid by Monu Goyat. Pounces on an advanced tackle by Ruturaj Koravi. Maharashtra still lead 14-8
21:18 (IST)
15' Maharashtra 13-5 Services
The defending champions have struggled in all departments. Maharashtra have excelled in each one. All players are equally contributing for Maharashtra and that has been the key for them
21:15 (IST)
ALL OUT!
Maharashtra on the fire. Services have been cleaned up. Girish Ernak with another tackle. a 13-4 lead for the west Indian state
21:12 (IST)
Ajay Kumar perishes in do-or-die raid just seconds after being revived. Maharashtra leading 7-4. Services have just 4 men on the mat. 10 minutes to play in the first half
21:10 (IST)
Nitin Tomar, Monu Goyat and Ajay Kumar are all on the bench. Maharashtra in control of the game in the early stages
21:08 (IST)
Maharashtra's defence strikes! Monu Goyat is heading back to the bench. Good start by Maharashtra who are leading 5-3 after 8 minutes of the first half
21:07 (IST)
21:04 (IST)
Monu Goyat picks up Services' first point. Maharashtra lead 3-1
21:03 (IST)
3-0! Rishank Devadiga puts Maharashtra on the scoreboard with an excellent super raid. What a night he's been having!!!
21:01 (IST)
The Finals begins with Maharashtra's Nitin Madane starting with an empty raid
20:57 (IST)
20:52 (IST)
The Services' strong point throughout this tournament has been their defence which has wrestled the team out of tight positions
20:51 (IST)
Both teams are led by star players of Pro Kabaddi who in an interesting twist of fate turned up for the same team in the 2017 edition- UP Yoddha.
While the defending champions are led by Nitin Tomar, the challengers are led by Rishank Devadiga who is on a high after taking his team to the summit clash with a last-second do-or-die raid
20:49 (IST)
It is almost time for the title clash between defending champions Services and Maharashtra
20:07 (IST)
Final - 8:45 PM IST
Maharashtra vs Services
Stay tuned for all the updates of the summit clash
20:06 (IST)
Fine all-round performance from Services to get past a strong Haryana in the semi-final
20:04 (IST)
SERVICES into the final!
Defending champions Services qualify for the final with a 32-28 win over Haryana. Complete performance from Nitin Tomar's men
20:02 (IST)
SUPER TACKLE by Haryana
Services' lead now 31-28 with a minute to go
20:00 (IST)
SUPER TACKLE!
Ravinder Pahal's super tackle revives some hope for Haryana. Services leading 30-25 with 2 minutes to play
19:59 (IST)
Surjeet removes Anup! Services' lead now 30-22. The defending champions are inching towards the final
19:57 (IST)
Nitin Tomar removes Manjeet Chhillar!
Big moment in the game. Manjeet who has been Haryana's best player is out as Services stretch their lead to 6 points with 4 minutes to play
19:56 (IST)
19:52 (IST)
Monu Goyat comes up trumps in a do-or-die raid. Sends Surender Nada to the bench. Services leading 27-21 with 7 minutes to play
19:51 (IST)
Manjeet Chhillar with a crucial point for Haryana who have revivbed 2 players. The deficit is still six points but Haryana now have five men on the court
19:50 (IST)
Surjeet is playing a captain's part! Anup Kumar is tackled and Haryana are down to just three men on the mat. Services lead 26-18.
19:48 (IST)
Services maintaining the lead. Unlike Haryana, Services getting support from their raiders. With 12 minutes left to play, Services lead 24-17!