Both the host state cueists registered 4-2 wins in their third and final qualifying rounds after leading 3-1 in their respective matches.
B V Rathod of Andhra Pradesh, who shocked fancied R Girish of the Railways in the second round yesterday, upset local cueist Gaurav Prabhu 4-2 to join Kohli and Jagdale in the main draw.
Kohli beat city rival Nihar Chavan 33-10, 36-14, 11-39, 42-12, 34-44, 41-8 after enduring a late challenge, while Jagdale overcame Abhishek Soparkar, also of Maharashtra, 34-14, 19-40, 38-33, 51-21, 18-37, 41-34.
Kohli snatched a tight third frame and sealed the win in the sixth frame on the last black ball, after they were level at 34-all.
I V Rajiv, of Andhra Pradesh, also entered the main draw following a 4-2 win over Anmoldeep Singh of Punjab.
Arun Agrawal of Maharashtra registered impressive back-to-back wins to advance to the third and final qualifying round.
Results: 3rd qualifying round: Pawan Kohli (Mah) bt Nihar Chavan (Mah) 33-10, 36-14, 11-39, 42-12, 34-44, 41-8; B V Rathod (AP) bt Gaurav Prabhu (Mah) 35-1, 42-2, 44-24, 17-31, 14-39, 40-27; Mahesh Jagdale (Mah) bt Abhishek Soparkar (Mah) 34-14, 19-40, 38-33, 51-21, 18-37, 41-34; I V Rajiv (AP) bt Anmoldeep Singh (Pun) 34-9, 39-28, 48-0, 22-48, 40-45, 40-27. (More)
