The prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh National Polo Trophy is set to culminate in an exciting final as the Indian Navy prepares to clash with 61 Cavalry on Saturday. This thrilling tournament entered the spotlight during the semi-finals held at the Chandigarh Polo Club, which showcased two electrifying matchups that determined the finalists.
In the first semi-final, the Indian Navy emerged victorious against the Army Service Corps (ASC) in a nail-biting contest that concluded with a score of 10-7. The match commenced with ASC taking a narrow lead of 4-3 at the end of the first round. Dhruvpal Godara was a standout performer for the Navy, making significant contributions with a remarkable hat-trick. Major Karamat Ali of ASC matched the intensity with a strong performance, scoring three goals for his team.
As the game progressed, the Indian Navy regrouped in the second round, gaining momentum and securing a 5-3 advantage. Godara maintained the pressure, scoring two pivotal goals. By the conclusion of the third round, the Navy led 8-6. ASC’s Major Karamat Ali had opportunities to narrow the gap but unfortunately missed two close attempts, which could have dramatically changed the course of the match. In the final round, Godara added two more goals to his tally, confirming the Navy’s place in the finals. Naik Ravindra Mang was the lone scorer for ASC in this round, contributing to the overall scoreline.
The second semi-final saw 61 Cavalry decisively outmaneuver the Rajasthan Polo Club (RPC), claiming a victory of 7-4.5. The initial stages of the match showcased a solid performance from the 61 Cavalry trio—Lt Col Vishal Chauhan, Major Anant Rajpurohit, and Captain Anmol Wariach—who established an early lead of 3-1.5, with Chauhan converting a crucial 15-yard penalty to strengthen their position.
However, RPC staged a comeback in the second round, with Alan Shaun Michael scoring twice, which allowed them to briefly seize the lead at 4.5-4. Yet, the experienced players of 61 Cavalry displayed tactical prowess, effectively preventing RPC from scoring further and adding three goals themselves in the latter stages. The match concluded with a final score of 7-4.5, ensuring a place for 61 Cavalry in the final showdown against the Indian Navy.
The highly anticipated final match of the tournament is scheduled to commence on Saturday at 3:30 PM, promising an exhilarating showdown for polo enthusiasts and fans alike.
