The Tamil Thalaivas dominated the Telugu Titans in a clinical performance, winning the match 43-25. By controlling the game from the start, they established a strong lead and never looked back. This victory has moved the Thalaivas into fifth position on the points table, keeping their playoff ambitions very much alive.
Sagar, the right corner defender for the Thalaivas, was the standout player, racking up a personal best of 9 tackle points to shut down the Titans. His individual brilliance was evident as he repeatedly neutralized raiders using sharp angle holds. Supporting him in the victory, raider Ajinkya Pawar achieved a Super 10, while Manjeet and Sahil Gulia chipped in with 9 and 4 points respectively.
Despite the loss, Galla Raju performed well for the Titans, scoring 9 points through a combination of 7 raids and 2 tackles. However, the team as a whole lacked aggression and confidence, failing to produce a high-quality game. Missing stars like Rajnish and Siddharth Desai was a huge blow, and the Titans remain at the bottom of the rankings with only a single win this season.
The match started as a tight contest, with both sides splitting the first 10 points evenly. However, the tide turned in favor of the Thalaivas after Sagar executed two rapid-fire tackles. The momentum shifted completely following a super raid by Manjeet, which allowed the Thalaivas to trigger an all-out and build an 8-point cushion.
The Titans' situation worsened when captain Rohit Kumar was forced off the court due to a knee injury. Seizing the opportunity, the Thalaivas pushed their lead to 12 points, ending the first half 22-10. While the Titans showed more life in the second half—mounting a 5-3 run that left the Thalaivas with only three players—their comeback hopes were crushed by another super tackle from Sagar and a costly self-out by Raju.
Taking a more strategic approach, the Thalaivas slowed the game down, focusing primarily on do-or-die raids. This tactical pressure forced the Titans into several unforced errors. With five minutes left on the clock, the Thalaivas secured another all-out, stretching their lead to a massive 20 points.
Although the Titans managed a few successful tackles late in the game, it wasn't nearly enough to bridge the gap. They closed the match with a small 6-3 run, narrowing the final deficit to 18 points. Ultimately, the Tamil Thalaivas proved themselves the superior force in the Southern Derby.