Maharashtra Kesari climbed to the top of the Pro Wrestling League, PWL 2026 standings after producing one of the most dramatic team performances of the season, edging out the previously unbeaten Haryana Thunders 5–4 in a pulsating Match 10 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Friday night.
With the tie locked at 4–4 going into the final bout, Amit delivered under crushing pressure in the 86kg men’s category, grinding out a 6–5 victory over Ashirov Ashraf to seal a statement win for the Kesari franchise.
The result not only handed Haryana Thunders their first loss of the season but also propelled Maharashtra Kesari to six points from four matches, establishing them as early leaders in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive PWL campaign. In a contest that swung repeatedly in momentum, Tevanyan Vazgen was named Player of the Match for his dominant middle-weight performance, while Kajal Dhochhak earned Fighter of the Match honours for her crucial intervention that kept Haryana alive until the very end.
The evening began with Haryana Thunders announcing their intent through their talisman, Yui Susaki. Competing in the 53kg women’s category, the Olympic champion delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression, securing back-to-back takedowns and exposures before forcing a fall inside just 85 seconds. Her emphatic 6–0 victory put Haryana 1–0 up and immediately applied pressure on Maharashtra Kesari.
Haryana doubled their advantage in the 74kg men’s bout as Parvinder produced a high-octane performance against Yash. After a closely fought opening period, Parvinder seized control during the Power Minute, stringing together a takedown-and-turn sequence to pull away and claim a 14–8 victory, pushing Haryana into a commanding 2–0 lead.
Maharashtra Kesari needed a response, and it came from their captain Robert Baran in the 125kg heavyweight clash. In a tactical encounter, Baran used his experience to manage the pace, draw passivity points, and pick his moments to attack. His measured 7–3 win over Anirudh Gulia not only opened Maharashtra’s account but also shifted the momentum of the tie.
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That swing continued in the 62kg women’s bout, where Dudova Bilyana Zhivkova delivered one of the most composed performances of the night. Facing the highly rated Iryna Koliadenko, Zhivkova absorbed early pressure before striking decisively in the second period with well-timed takedowns to secure a 7–1 victory and level the overall score at 2–2.
Maharashtra moved ahead for the first time in the 57kg women’s category through Manisha Bhanvala. In a nervy tactical battle against Neha Sangwan, Bhanvala raised her intensity in the second period, scoring a critical takedown and then holding her nerve in the Power Minute to edge out a 7–6 win, pushing Kesari into a 3–2 lead.
The tie seemed to tilt further in Maharashtra’s favour in the 65kg men’s bout, where Tevanyan Vazgen produced a match-defining performance. After a cautious start, Vazgen exploded in the Power Minute, executing a stunning eight-point takedown-and-turn sequence against Tumur Ochir Tulga before closing out a 10–4 win that stretched Maharashtra’s advantage to 4–2.
Haryana, however, refused to go quietly. Ankush Chandram led their fightback in the 57kg men’s category, dictating terms against Sumit Malik. With sharp early attacks and a composed finish during the Power Minute, Chandram sealed an 11–5 win that cut the deficit to 4–3 and kept Haryana in striking distance.
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The drama peaked in the 76kg women’s bout as Kajal Dhochhak rose to the occasion for Haryana Thunders. Applying relentless pressure against Harshita Mor, Kajal capitalised during the Power Minute with a takedown-and-turn sequence before transitioning smoothly into a fall, leveling the team score at 4–4 and setting up a winner-takes-all finale.
Everything now rested on the 86kg men’s contest between Amit and Ashirov Ashraf. The bout began tensely, with Ashirov drawing first blood through passivity points. Amit responded with purpose, executing a powerful takedown-and-turn sequence in the first period to establish a narrow but crucial lead. Ashirov pushed hard in the second period, scoring a push-out and passivity points to close the gap, but Amit showed remarkable composure in the dying moments, managing the clock and positioning smartly to secure a 6–5 win.
As Amit’s hand was raised, Maharashtra Kesari celebrated a victory built on grit, tactical discipline, and collective belief. For Haryana Thunders, the loss was a sobering reminder of how thin the margins are in elite team wrestling, even for an unbeaten side.
PWL 2026 now pauses for a rest day before resuming on Sunday, January 25, when Haryana Thunders return to action against Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals. With Maharashtra Kesari now perched atop the table and momentum firmly on their side, the season’s narrative has taken a compelling turn.
