The Maharaja Ranjit Singh National Polo Tournament, currently underway at the Chandigarh Polo Club in Khuda Lahora, showcased an electrifying second day as the Indian Navy and 16 Cavalry displayed remarkable prowess on the field, while the local hosts faced another setback, marking their second consecutive defeat.
In a thrilling match, the Indian Navy emerged victorious against the Artillery with a commanding score of 9-5. The standout player was Dhruv Pal Godhara, hailing from Jaipur, who delivered an exceptional performance by netting six goals for the Indian Navy. Godhara’s brilliance was evident from the outset, as he scored three goals in the first round, helping his team establish a solid 4-1 lead. He continued to dominate in the second round, adding two more goals for the Navy that pushed the score to 9-2. Despite Grenadier Uday Kumar of the Artillery showing commendable effort by scoring three goals in a bid to rally his team, it was ultimately insufficient to prevent the defeat.
Earlier in the day, the Army’s 61 Cavalry further solidified their status as the tournament favorites with an overwhelming victory over the Remount and Veterinary Corps, finishing with a staggering score of 15-0.5. Lt Col Vishal Chauhan played a pivotal role in this remarkable triumph, almost single-handedly leading the charge by scoring eight goals. Initially, the match seemed balanced with a scoreline of 2-0.5 until the first round concluded, but Chauhan’s five goals in the second round shifted the momentum entirely, bringing the score to 10-0.5. Alongside Chauhan, his teammates Major Anant Rajpurohit and Captain Anmol Waraich contributed significantly to the final tally, ensuring a dominant 15-0.5 victory.
In the Young Riders Cup, held in the morning, Panchkula clinched a win against Chandigarh, finishing the match at 5-1. Vijay Shakya was the star of the match, netting four goals for Panchkula, while Amaan Warring managed a solitary goal for the Chandigarh team.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement continues to build, with each team demonstrating its skills and determination to clinch the championship title.
