In the sport of Kabaddi, the defenders almost always remain in the shadows of the raiders. Nevertheless, they are the ones who can completely turn around the game, scoring crucial points and winning important matches – all because of their tackling skills. We have seen it happen and will surely see the defenders turning matches in the 2017 edition of the Pro Kabaddi league.
With the fifth season of the Pro Kabaddi league rearing to start, here’s a look at the top defenders to watch out for:
1.Mohit Chillar, Haryana Steelers
Mohit is a burly right corner hailing from Nizampur, near New Delhi, which has been a nurturing ground for Indian internationals like Rakesh Kumar and Manjeet Chhillar. Mohit was U Mumba’s top defender in PKL Season 2 and Season 3 and the most expensive player of PKL 4.
Relying majorly on the thigh hold and the ankle hold, Mohit Chhillar has amassed 170 tackle points (2nd most by a player in PKL). Mohit also leads the assist chart with 96 assists and has effected 13 Super tackles (joint 2nd most in PKL history).
Mohit has been performing consistently, scoring 40 plus tackle points in each of last 3 seasons at a tackle strike rate of more than 50.00. He has also scored 15 High 5’s in the PKL, just one less than the current leader Manjeet Chhillar.
2. Nilesh Shinde, Dabang Delhi
One of the most reliable corner defenders in the country, Nilesh Shinde portrays a split personality on and off the mat. A natural leader, Shinde mixes aggression with composure and stirs up a deadly concoction, which is lethal to raiders.
After leading the Bengal Warriors side for 4 consecutive seasons, Shinde is going to ply his trade with Dabang Delhi. Courtesy some incredible performances, Nilesh Shinde has made the right corner position his own. With an iron-like grip, Shinde is extremely aggressive with his holds. He has scored more than half of his overall tackle points (67 tackle points) through various holds i.e. ankle, thigh and back with the ankle hold being his favoured skill. He has a unique strategy wherein he dodges toe touch attempts and then attacks the raider’s trailing leg. Shinde’s composure in pressure situations is almost unparalleled, a fact vindicated by his 13 super tackles.
Nilesh Shinde is among the top 10 defenders in PKL and has been consistent across all the 4 seasons of PKL.
3. Amit Hooda, Tamil Thalaivas
The 21-year-old was part of the Patna Pirates team for PKL 2 and 3, where he immediately showed promise. The youngster scored 21 tackle points at an impressive tackle strike rate of 51.21 in his first season of PKL.
Amit Hooda’s exemplary performances in the right corner position turned Jaipur’s problem position into one a strong point. He helped Jaipur reach the play-offs for the first time since PKL 1 and to an eventual runners-up spot. Hooda was only one of the two players to score more than 50 tackle points in PKL 4, just a solitary tackle point behind top defender Fazel Atrachali.
Amit Hooda is an aggressive defender possessing a vice-like grip with his ankle and thigh holds. He also has superb anticipation and timing with his tackles. These attributes, along with his proven PKL performance, caused Tamil Thalaivas to part with a massive Rs 63 lakh to acquire his services for PKL 5.
4. Fazel Atrachali, Gujarat FortuneGiants
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. The raw power Fazel Atrachali possesses is evident by the fact that most of his tackle points have been via back holds (27).
5. Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Puneri
After jumping ship from Bengaluru to Telugu to Patna, Dharmaraj Cheralathan will now be marshalling the Paltan defence in PKL 5. “Anna” as he is fondly known, brings in vast experience and is comfortable playing both left and right corner positions. His wait for silverware finally ended when he helped the Patna Pirates win their 2nd PKL title. He was the Pirates’ second-best defender behind Fazel Atrachali scoring 39 tackle points.
Currently placed 5th in the PKL defender standings, he has amassed 151 tackle points. His ability in super tackle situations is without parallel, having managed a tournament-leading 17 super tackles. As is the case, Anna’s thigh holds and ankle holds render him a dangerous corner. Having partnered Fazel Atrachali in PKL 4, he will have the task of controlling the mercurial Girish Ernak as well as organising the Pune defence.
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