KASHI KINGS were crowned champions of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 after delivering a tactically astute performance to defeat Lucknow Lions 38–32 in the final at the Noida Indoor Stadium.
The decider arrived with huge expectations, with both sides having been the most consistent teams of the season. On the night, however, it was Kashi Kings who managed the occasion with greater composure.
Lucknow Lions appeared unsettled from the outset, particularly in defence, and Kashi Kings were quick to take advantage. By cleverly varying their raids and applying sustained pressure, Kashi forced repeated errors from Lucknow’s back line. The imbalance was starkly evident on the scoreboard, with Lucknow failing to register a single tackle point throughout the first half.
That dominance translated into an all-out for Kashi Kings before the interval, helping them establish a six-point lead at half-time and seize control of the contest.
The momentum carried into the second half. Within three minutes of the restart, Kashi inflicted another all-out, stretching their advantage to eleven points and placing Lucknow under severe pressure.
To their credit, the Lions responded with more aggressive raiding and quicker transitions, briefly narrowing the gap and injecting tension into the closing stages. However, a crucial super tackle late in the match extinguished their final surge, allowing Kashi Kings to comfortably see out the game and secure the championship.
