The Pro Kabaddi League’s fifth season is set to kick off on Friday. This time, there are four new franchises that have been added to the league, and therefore, there will be 12 teams competing against each other.
The first match will be played between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas in Hyderabad and the final will take place on 28 October in Chennai.
The Pro Kabaddi league is the only league in India which has shown an improvement in television viewership in each of its four editions. The competition has seen a cumulative growth of 51 percent since its inception.
Here’s a look at the five players to watch out for in the fifth season.
1. Rahul Chaudhari
Rahul Chaudhari made a name for himself in the very first season of the Pro Kabaddi League, where he scored 151 raid points and was awarded the best raider of the tournament.
He never looked back after that and also ended up as a leading raid point scorer in PKL 4 with 146 raid points, winning the best raider award for a record second time. He has the unique ability to raid from the both sides of the court, courtesy his lightning fast speed.
He is equally adept with both his hands. Despite playing the majority of the PKL 4 with an injured right shoulder, he still ended up as the best raider of PKL 4. He attacks the opposition defenders and gets most of his points through his signature running hand touch. His diving escapes have been remarkable throughout the PKL.
2. Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal, along with Rohit Kumar, were the lynchpins of Patna Pirates’ raiding attack in PKL 3.
The Pirates showed immense faith in the youngster by retaining him for PKL 4 ahead of Sandeep Narwal and he repaid that faith by finishing with 131 raid points, the second most after Rahul Chaudhari (146 raid points).He was retained once again for PKL 5.
Pardeep Narwal was drafted by the Patna Pirates in PKL 3 after a stint with the Bengaluru Bulls. Excelling in the Dubki and an expert escape artist Pardeep won the Emerging Player award in PKL 3. He continued his fine form in PKL 4 as well, as he managed 85.49 per cent of his raid points in wins.
His 16 Raid Points in the Final of PKL 4 was the most by any player in any PKL final showcasing his ability to raise his game in crunch situations. He deservingly won PKL 4’s MVP award and thus becoming the youngest player to win that award. His speed and agility also allow him to execute the hand touch to great effect and make him doubly dangerous. In short, Patna’s offence will be far more threatening with a fit and firing Pardeep Narwal.
3. Fazel Atrachali
The best defender of PKL 4 and the only player to have won the PKL with two different teams, Fazel was the priority pick for the Fortunegiants in the PKL 5 auction. The Iranian defender has grown leaps-and-bounds since his debut in the PKL with U Mumba in season 2.
Starting off as a backup defender, he showed glimpses of his brilliance during PKL 2, accruing 11 tackle points in 5 matches including a High-5. PKL 3 saw the continued ascendancy of Fazel who managed to keep U Mumba stalwart, Surender Nada on the bench while notching up 32 tackle points.
In PKL 4 he was the catalyst for Patna’s victory securing the most tackle points (52) and joint-most assists (31, along with Jasmer Sigh Gulia) in the season. This was the first time an Indian player failed to pick up the title of best defender of the PKL.
His vice-like grip makes his ankle holds extremely dangerous while his strength enables him to pull off successful tackles almost single handedly. His quickness and sense of timing catches experienced raiders completely off guard.
4. Nitin Tomar
Nitin Tomar started his PKL career with Bengal Warriors in third season and made a huge impression scoring, 77 raid points from 10 matches and played a huge role in helping Bengal Warriors reach their only semifinal in PKL history. He then swapped Bengal for Pune in PKL 4, but struggled to replicate his PKL 3 form managing to score only 33 raid points.
The UP native was then picked up by Team UP Yoddha for a staggering Rs 93 lakh making him the most expensive player in PKL history. The 22-year-old is very agile and quick on the mat and executes his hand touches, escapes and jumps to good effect.
5. Manjeet Chhillar
Jaipur Pink Panthers have a revamped side this season with Manjeet Chhillar being Jaipur’s most expensive buy in the auction. He was voted the best defender in PKL 1 and the MVP in PKL season 2 and was the guiding force for Pune’s top 4 finish in the league for the last two seasons.
Manjeet has been in peak form in all four seasons of the PKL plundering points a plenty. He is the leading point scoring all-rounder of the PKL with 403 points to his name. A right raider, Manjeet extensively uses his well-built frame against the opponents, hence escape is his weapon of choice. Additionally, he also uses the hand touch to good effect.
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