Pune

Suraj Lande's sensational sky dive helped Odisha Juggernauts to clinch the title of the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho after beating Telugu Yoddhas 46-45 in a thrilling final at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex on Sunday.

After Telugu Yoddhas, managed to add 21 points in the third turn to take a 41-27 lead, Sachin Bhargo provided two crucial points for his side and kept Odisha Juggernauts at bay for 2.44 minutes. When he was dismissed, Telugu Yoddhas were leading 45-43 with just 1.24 minutes left in the match.

However, Lande, who tested the defence of Telugu Yoddhas with his stay of 3.03 minutes in the third turn, had different plans for Odisha Juggernauts.

With just 14 seconds remaining in the game, Lande captured Avdhut Patil with a superb sky dive that not only added three winning points for Odisha Juggernauts but also helped them win the title. 

Lande scored nine points in attack for the winning side while Rohan Shingade secured 11 points for Telugu Yoddhas.

Champions Odisha Juggernauts were awarded 1 crore rupees prize money and the coveted trophy while the second-placed Telugu Yoddhas took home a cash prize of 50 lakh rupees.

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Gujarat Giants bagged the third-place finish.