Day two of the Archery Premier League (APL) at the Yamuna Sports Complex lived up to its billing, producing high drama, unexpected errors, and dominant displays.
The spotlight was firmly on the Chola Chiefs, who continued their unbeaten run, while the Chero Archers and Rajputana Royals also registered commanding victories.
Ellison Leads the Chiefs Past Yodhas
The opening clash of the day featured the Chola Chiefs taking on the Prithviraaj Yodhas in what promised to be a high-voltage contest. On one side stood Brady Ellison, the world No.1 recurve archer from the USA, anchoring the Chiefs. On the other, the Yodhas’ captain and India’s top compound archer, Abhishek Verma, looked determined to pull his team back into contention after their loss on day one.
The match opened evenly, with Ellison’s sharpness and Deepika Kumari’s steady if inconsistent performance giving the Chiefs a slight edge. Supporting them were Rishabh Yadav, who delivered under pressure, and Meeri-Marita Paas, adding depth to the line-up. The Yodhas, however, struggled for cohesion. While Verma and Mexican archer Andrea Becerra were solid, Matias Grande lacked rhythm, and Gatha Khadake’s troubles proved decisive.
In the very first set, Gatha was timed out unable to release her arrow within the allotted 15 seconds. The same error recurred in the fourth set, a costly lapse that handed the advantage back to the Chiefs.
The set scores told the story of fluctuating fortunes. The Chiefs drew first blood 72-69, before the Yodhas struck back 74-73 to level it 2-2. But from there, Ellison’s precision and Rishabh’s timely strikes ensured the Chiefs pulled clear. They closed the next two sets 77-73 and 78-68 to seal a 6-2 victory.
The win, their second in as many matches, took the Chiefs to four points. Their consistency and ability to capitalize on opponents’ errors underline why they are already emerging as one of the favourites in this inaugural season.
Chero Archers Outclass Kakatiya Knights
The second match of the day was shorter but no less intense, with the Chero Archers securing a 5-1 win over the Kakatiya Knights.
The Archers began with a tight 74-74 draw in the first set, before finding their rhythm to dominate the next two. A composed 78-73 win in the second set shifted momentum firmly in their favour. The Knights, who struggled to maintain consistency across their shooters, faltered again in the third as the Archers wrapped it up 71-67.
For the Archers, the win marked a crucial bounce-back after their opening-day disappointment. Their cohesion and mental strength stood out, especially in converting the pressure moments. The Knights, meanwhile, were left searching for their first victory and will need to regroup quickly.
The final contest of the day featured the Rajputana Royals against the Mighty Marathas, a battle that saw both sides push each other across four fiercely fought sets.
The Royals started with back-to-back set wins, 77-75 and 77-73, showing control under pressure and steady scoring across the team. The Marathas, however, fought back in the third set, narrowly edging it 77-74 to keep the contest alive.
But the Royals, determined not to let momentum slip, raised their level once again in the fourth set. With precision shooting in the closing arrows, they sealed it 79-76 to complete a 6-2 victory.
It was a match that showcased the Royals’ balance every shooter stepping up when required. For the Marathas, despite their spirited effort, missed opportunities in the early sets meant they were always chasing the game.
Two days into the APL, the points table is beginning to take shape. The Rajputana Royals sit at the top, thanks to their superior sets won-to-lost ratio. Both the Royals and the Chiefs have four points each with two wins apiece, but the Royals edge ahead with 12 sets won and just 2 lost, compared to the Chiefs’ 11-3 record.
The Chero Archers and Mighty Marathas follow with two points each, having secured one win from their two outings. At the bottom, the Prithviraaj Yodhas and Kakatiya Knights remain winless, each yet to open their account after two matches.
The inaugural APL is already proving to be a test of not just accuracy but also of mental strength, adaptability, and time management something highlighted by Gatha Khadake’s costly time-outs. With every arrow carrying weight, the league’s format has ensured tight margins and intense drama across matches.
As the competition progresses, the Chiefs and Royals look the teams to beat, combining international star power with homegrown talent. But as day two demonstrated, fortunes can swing rapidly in archery. A single lapse whether in timing, concentration, or execution can change the course of an entire match.
With the crowd in Delhi warming up to the format and the athletes growing sharper with every outing, the coming days promise even more riveting action. For now, though, the Royals, Chiefs, and Chero Archers head into day three with momentum firmly on their side, while the Yodhas and Knights will be desperate to turn their campaigns around.
