The first chapter is closed, but the story is just getting started here in Goa! Match 1 of the National Poker Champion showdown wrapped up earlier, with Kerala’s Sreekanth Narayan taking the early lead by collecting 110 points for the win. Chandigarh’s Ankit Wadhawan put in a great performance for second, earning 80 points.
But there’s no time to dwell on that – Match 2 is already underway! At 5 PM today, April 13, the remaining six state champions from the epic NPS India 2025 series took their seats for another high-stakes 6-Max No-Limit Hold’em contest. Each player here topped their state leaderboard during that massive online series, proving they belong on this stage.
The game setup remains the same: players start with 50,000 chips, and the blinds increase every 20 minutes. Every pot matters, and every point is precious. Fans following along can catch the live stream (with the usual one-hour delay) on JioHotstar. And, of course, PokerGuru is your spot for the latest updates, chip counts, and all the happenings as the official media partner.
Let’s meet the six contenders currently grinding it out in Match 2:
Bhanu Prakash KC – Karnataka’s Leaderboard Machine
What can you say about Bhanu? This guy was a true workhorse, putting up unbelievable numbers at this year`s NPS. He cashed in 158 out of 190 events (an 83% rate!) and gathered ₹42.72 Lakhs in winnings. Add five medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver) and the overall NPS Series Leaderboard title (worth ₹30 Lakhs), and it’s clear why many see him as the one to catch. Calm, methodical, and incredibly productive – he definitely starts with attention focused his way!
Mohit Bohra – Gujarat’s Rising Tycoon
With a sharp focus on results, Bohra really brought the heat to his NPS grind. He walked away with five medals (three Golds, two Silvers) and ₹36.96 Lakhs from 126 cashes. That performance placed him 5th on the Series Leaderboard (an ₹8 Lakhs bonus). Representing Gujarat with a quiet intensity, Bohra showed he knows how to finish strong online – now he looks to take down this live challenge.
Saahib Bawa – Delhi’s Double-Gold Dynamo
Bawa proved you don’t need to play every single event to make a huge impact. He entered just 61 NPS tournaments but still collected ₹30.21 Lakhs and four medals, including that incredible night on March 19 when he won two Gold Medals! Known for making the most of his opportunities, Bawa arrives in Goa playing with house money and the knowledge he can strike gold multiple times.
Zarvan Tumboli – The Indian Poker Sultan From Maharashtra
The PokerBaazi Team Pro demonstrated he’s more than just a live poker expert; he can handle the online grind too. Playing all 191 NPS events, Zarvan cashed 115 times for ₹48.89 Lakhs and picked up six medals. After sweating out his qualification on the very last day of the series, he’s now back in his comfort zone – a live poker table, cameras rolling, and a national title up for grabs.
Snehil Aggarwal – Haryana’s Steady Storm
Aggarwal’s approach during NPS was all about applying steady pressure. He cashed in 127 of 190 events and collected six medals along the way. With ₹44.45 Lakhs in winnings and a top-11 finish on the Series Leaderboard, he comes across as one of the most well-rounded players here – adaptable, patient, and capable of striking at any time.
Anish Vijayvergia – Rajasthan’s Big Game Hunter
When the stakes soared, Anish Vijayvergia seemed to play even better. He actually topped all 12 finalists in total series earnings, pulling in a huge ₹54.20 Lakhs. Two Golds, a Bronze, and that massive third-place finish in the Mega Rush (worth ₹18.92 Lakhs) were the highlights of his run. He didn’t just arrive in Goa playing well; he came in hot.
Match 2 is live right now, and the points being fought for could drastically alter the landscape of this competition heading into Day 2. Keep it locked with PokerGuru for every significant hand, every strategic turn, and every shift in the standings in this race for the crown.
The path to becoming India’s first National Poker Champion rolls on – and the intensity is only building!
