Bengal Warriors, the City of Joy based franchise of the Pro Kabaddi League, underperformed in the first 2 seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, but had a resounding third season in which they reached the semis, eventually losing to U Mumba.
In PKL 4, their fortunes completely changed as they had their worst campaign in their PKL history. They could just win 3 matches in the entire season.
Over the years, Bengal Warriors have built a reputation of being a defence-heavy unit. In PKL 5, they are going with a different plan. As a first step, they have retained South Korean sensation, Jang Kun Lee, ahead of defensive stalwarts such as Nilesh Shinde, Vishal Mane and Girish Ernak, raising a few eyebrows.
Jang Kun Lee, the most successful foreign player in the Pro Kabaddi League, will be joined by PKL 1 winner Maninder Singh and PKL 3 winner Deepak Narwal to form an able raiding partnership. Warriors will be looking to see the best of Jang Kun Lee, and would hope Maninder Singh would exhibit the same form that he had showcased in PKL season 1 for Jaipur Pink Panthers.
Surjeet Singh, most expensive defender (Rs 73 Lakhs) in PKL history, would bolster their defence at the cover position. Defensive support is expected to be provided by all-rounders Ran Singh, Shrikant Tewthia and cover defenders Rahul Kumar and Young Chang Ko.
Captain: Surjeet Singh
The services defensive stalwart started off fabulously in Season 3, managing to score 48 tackle points, the most by a right cover defender in a single season. It also included an astonishing five High 5s in just 12 matches. It meant that he managed the third-most tackle points by a defender in PKL 3.
This form led to U Mumba snapping him up for the 4th season. For U Mumba, he scored 37 tackle points in 10 matches and had 2 high 5’s. But the lack of support from other U Mumba defenders meant that he couldn’t be the force he was in season 3.
This time around, he has been roped by the Warriors who will be hoping that his immense strength will help them get the cover position sorted.
Coach: Jagadeesha KK
The 1975-born veteran was one of India’s top talents and a part of the squad which won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Asian Games. Unfortunately, the opportunity to play PKL came late in his career, and he was past his prime. For someone who hasn’t had the best of PKLs as a player, the opportunity as a coach presents him with the perfect platform to make a name for himself in the PKL as well.
He is only one of two players that have managed to play & coach a team in the PKL (Manpreet Singh being the other). With the Bengal Warriors qualifying for the Knockouts just once in the past PKL seasons, it will be interesting to see whether they can turn their dismal record around and qualify for the knockouts.
Squad Profile
Transfers
Transfer In
Transfer Out
Strength: Raiding
Bengal boast an outstanding raiding department led by South Korean sensation Jang Kun Lee. He is the top scoring foreign raider with 243 raid points. PKL 1’s 3rd highest raid point scorer (130 raid points), Maninder Singh, along with Deepak Narwal, Vinod Kumar and all-rounders Bhupender Singh, Shrikant Tewthia and Ran Singh gives them plenty of raiding options.
Weakness: Right Corner
Former Captain Nilesh Shinde’s void will be felt badly as Bengal Warriors couldn’t replace him with an established right corner defender. Warriors will depend on young and relatively inexperienced faces like Virendra Singh, Sandeep Malik, or in all likelihood, allrounder Shrikant Tewthia, who had occupied this position for Bengaluru Bulls earlier in the PKL.
Opportunity: Showcasing Raiding Prowes and Young Chang Ko
Bengal Warriors have not been a traditional raiding threat in the PKL, but Maninder will have an opportunity to show his quality while making a comeback after winning PKL 1 with Jaipur. Deepak Narwal & others are also waiting for their turn.
After his 2016 Kabaddi World Cup heroics (High 5 vs India), Chang Ko will have a chance to make a name for himself on the PKL mat.
Threat: Lack of Alternatives
In a three-month long season, Bengal Warriors don’t have good alternatives for any of their players in case of injuries, especially in defensive positions. Corner defence looks bit suspect already, and it remains to be seen how the defensive unit gels as the season progresses.
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)