‘This Victory Shows Our True Potential’: Assistant Coach Upendra Malik lauds UP Yoddhas after Stellar Performance

Noida, 23 November 2024: The UP Yoddhas put on an impressive show at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Friday, dominating Tamil Thalaivas in what was an all-around team performance. Bhavani Rajput's exceptional Super 10 and Hitesh's brilliant defensive display, which earned him a High 5, were pivotal in securing the team's commanding victory. Both the raiders and defenders combined seamlessly to execute a strategy that left Tamil Thalaivas with few opportunities to capitalize on.

Assistant Coach Upendra Malik expressed his pride in the team's performance, noting that it was a true reflection of their potential. "This victory shows our true potential," he said. "Bhavani was exceptional today. Not only did he score crucial points for the team, but his energy and confidence also inspired everyone else on the mat. He instilled a sense of belief and determination in the entire squad. Our defense, particularly in the first half, was solid and kept us in control of the match. The turning point came when Keshav secured those two vital points. That moment helped us extend our lead, and from there, we maintained our composure and executed our strategy perfectly."

The defense, which was a cornerstone of the team’s success, was led by Captain Sumit, whose leadership played an integral role in organizing and maintaining the defensive structure throughout the match. 

Speaking after the win, Sumit reflected on the collective effort of the team: "Our defense set the tone from the start and remained intense throughout the game. We’ve been working on our defensive strategies and it’s paying off. The coordination we showed today is a result of continuous improvement over the last few matches. We are building momentum, and this win gives us the confidence to push forward."

While Sumit led the side well, Hitesh’s defensive performance was a highlight as he executed 6 successful tackles out of 7 attempts, showcasing his discipline and timing. This defensive display, along with the aggressive raids, left Tamil Thalaivas with little room to attack.

Assistant Coach Malik further emphasized the collective effort of the team. "It wasn’t just one individual; it was a complete team performance. Everyone, from the raiders to the defenders, worked in unison. This is the kind of display that shows we are ready to take on the challenges ahead. We need to keep this focus and intensity as we look towards our next matches."

The UP Yoddhas now turn their attention to their upcoming match against Patna Pirates, where they will look to build on this dominant performance and continue their strong run. The team is focused on maintaining their momentum and improving further with each match.

About GMR Sports

GMR Sports, the sports division for GMR Group was incorporated in 2008 coinciding with the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League.

GMR Sports was created with the vision to utilise sports as a platform to help form a connect with the community at large, and cricket as a sport was the best platform to kick start this connection, thereby leading to the group's first-ever sports initiative.

Delhi Capitals – Delhi's first ever cricket franchise and the only one that represented the national capital of India, marked the beginning of this venture. Soon GMR Sports led the way in furthering their goals with the addition of another sport that in the truest sense connected the Indian community in a strong way. UP Yoddhas – The Pro Kabaddi League's Franchise representing India's largest state Uttar Pradesh was just that step towards providing the community with another reason to celebrate. 

In 2022, the Ultimate Kho Kho, a franchise representing the Telugu Speaking Region of India – Telugu Yoddhas were formed, making GMR Sports take another giant step of not only supporting indigenous sports but also giving another reason for the communities of the region to bond together in unison celebrating sports. 

In 2022, GMR Sports has expanded its footprints into the International Sports Leagues after acquiring the Dubai franchise of the International League T20 - Dubai Capitals, in UAE's newly announced T20 Cricket League. Further additions have been made to GMR Sports’ global sports portfolio with the addition of Seattle Orcas and Hampshire Cricket recently.