The SMS Gold Cup final delivered pure adrenaline as Jaipur Polo Team triumphed 6-5.5 over Krishna Polo on March 9, marking their ninth seasonal crown under HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh’s leadership. This Jaipur showdown highlighted elite horsemanship and unbridled competition.
Jaipur opened strongly, grabbing a 2-1.5 edge after the first chukker through sustained offensive pressure. Krishna Polo countered aggressively in the second, with Vishal Singh Rathore’s leadership yielding a 3.5-3 halftime lead that silenced the home crowd momentarily.
Momentum swung back in the third chukker as Jaipur dominated possession and struck decisively, with the Maharaja’s finishing touching off a 5-3.5 lead. Krishna’s fourth-chukker rally, powered by Rathore and Siddhant Singh, tested Jaipur’s resolve, but their defensive masterclass preserved the 6-5.5 margin.
Semifinal drama against RPCB saw Jaipur dig out of a 1-3.5 hole. Harshod Singh and Yogendra Singh’s strikes evened it at 4.5-4 by intermission. A fortified backline and scores from Divyaman Singh Dujod and the Maharaja built a 5-4.5 lead, extended to 8-5.5 in the finale.
Jaipur’s goal tally: Harshodya Singh (2), Yogendra Singh (2), Divyaman Singh Dujod (1), Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh (3). RPCB relied on Tarun Bilwal and Alan Shawn Michael (2 each). Jaipur’s ninth title solidifies their status as polo powerhouses, captivating fans nationwide.