Jaipur: Padmanabh Singh stole the limelight on the opening day of the KogniVera Polo Cup with six goals to lead Team Jaipur to a resounding 10-6.5 victory over Thunderbolt at the Rajasthan Polo Club ground here on Tuesday.
In the first five minutes of play, Padmanabh completed his brilliant hat-trick to help Jaipur take a handy lead in the first chukker.
Thunderbolt bounced back in the second chukker with four goals to surge ahead. However, Team Jaipur dominated the final two chukkers to notch up an excellent win. Besides Padmanabh's half a dozen goals, Bhawani Singh Kalvi (3 goals) and Lance Watson (1 goal) also did well for the winners.
In the other matches, Otiemus Achievers beat V Polo 5-3.5, while Jindal Bedla thumped Chandna Polo 9.5-5.
Actress and fitness icon Malaika Arora, managing director and CEO, KogniVera IT Solutions Pvt Ltd Kamlesh Sharma and other dignitaries graced the inauguration.
After the success of the recently concluded KogniVera International Polo Cup between India and Argentina, the tournament kicked off with even greater enthusiasm.
On opening day, a grand opening ceremony was held in the presence of several dignitaries, including actress Malaika Arora which further strengthened the growing prestige of the tournament in India's sporting and cultural calendar.
The KogniVera Polo Cup as part of Jaipur Polo Season 2026 will feature seven teams playing in league and knockout matches. Leading players from India and abroad will be seen playing at Jaipur's famous polo grounds for a week.
Speaking at the launch of the tournament, Kamlesh Sharma, Managing Director and CEO, KogniVera IT Solutions Pvt Ltd, said, "Following the success of the KogniVera International Polo Cup, we are proud that the KogniVera Polo Cup 2026 begins today in Jaipur with so much enthusiasm and support. This is our tribute to the legacy of this sport and the excellence it embodies."
The opening day was graced by the unveiling of the world's tallest polo trophy. This trophy has already become a symbol of ambition and excellence, adding to the grandeur of Jaipur's polo calendar.
The teams divided in two pools
Pool A: Jaipur, Thunderbolt, Jindal Bedla, Chandana Polo
Pool B: V Polo, Optimus Achievers, Aravalli
After a week of league matches, the competition will advance to the knockout rounds and conclude on February 1.
A special highlight of this grand finale will be a traditional performance by the Nihang Sikhs of Punjab. This will offer a unique blend of sporting thrills and a rare cultural splendor.
With the successful start of the tournament on Tuesday, KogniVera Polo Cup 2026 is going to further cement Jaipur as one of the most renowned polo destinations in India. This event will bring together players, attracting spectators and polo lovers.
CongiVera Polo Cup Results (Day 1)
Team Jaipur (Padmanabh Singh 6 goals, Bhawani Singh Kalvi 3 goals, Lance Watson 1 goal) 10 bt Thunderbolt 6.5 (Samir Suhag 4 goals, Ravinder Mang 1)
Otiemus Achievers 5 (Dhruvpal Godara 4 goals, Daniel Otamendi 1 goal) bt V Polo 3.5 (Santiago Marambio 3 goals)
Jindal Bedla 9.5 (Siddhant Sharma 6 goals, Himmat Singh Bedla 2 goals, Simran Shergill 1) bt Chandna Polo 5 (Dino Dhankhar 2 goals, Ashok Chandna, Hurr Ali and Naveen Singh 1 goal each).
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