In a match of contrasting halves, UP Yoddha hit the ground running but Dabang Delhi KC scripted a comeback to win 37-33 in the Pro Kabaddi Season 8 match at Sheraton Grand, Whitefield in Bengaluru on Saturday.

With this result, UP Yoddha have 15 points from seven matches and Dabang Delhi KC climbed to the top of the table with 31 points in as many games.

Pardeep Narwal was UP Yoddha’s top raider, picking nine raid points, while Shubham Kumar and Ashu Singh picked three tackle points each and were the top defenders.

Naveen Kumar picked up 17 raid points, making him the most successful raider for Dabang Delhi KC. Manjeet Chillar was their top defender with four tackle points.

Pardeep started well for UP Yoddha, sending back the dangerous Manjeet Chillar twice in his first three raids. However, UP Yoddha were soon reduced to three defenders, but a super raid from Shubham levelled the scores at six-all.

From there on, UP Yoddha picked up momentum and inflicted an all-out on Dabang Delhi KC, to lead 15-9. UP Yoddha went on to stretch the lead to a match-high seven points at 18-11.

Pardeep Narwal had picked up seven raid points in the first half, and Naveen was sent back five times, the most in Pro Kabaddi Season 8, with only three points in his kitty. UP Yoddha finished the first 20 minutes with an 18-13 lead.

The tables turned almost immediately, with Naveen picking up six raid points in the first six minutes of the second half, as Dabang Delhi KC now led 21-20.

UP Yoddha fought to equalise the scoreboard at 22-all, however, Dabang Delhi KC affected an all-out soon to take a 26-25 lead.

A Naveen Kumar tackle against Pardeep Narwal took the team to a 31-28 lead with five minutes left on the clock.

A few successful raids from Surender Gill brought the deficit down to two points at 33-35 with two minutes left.

However, Gill’s failed execution of UP Yoddha’s final raid, coupled with a successful last raid from Naveen Kumar, gave Dabang Delhi KC a four-point lead to end the match with.

With this loss, UP Yoddha have extended their winless streak to five games, and are yet to earn the second win of the Pro Kabaddi Season 8.

UP Yoddha will next play against the Bengaluru Bulls on Sunday.