Ever since its inception in 2014, the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League has been a huge hit with fans all across the world. Season 7 promises to be no different; bigger and better as teams gear up to go at it once again, especially after the recently concluded auction which saw a number of big names as well as upcoming talent get shuffled around. Without further ado, let’s have a look at the top 5 raiders who are expected to flourish in the upcoming season-
1) Pawan Sehrawat
Pawan Sehrawat
Last season’s Most Valuable Player will be looking to match the high standards he has set and bettered, time and again. The Bengaluru Bulls’ star man was a revelation last year, battering down opposition defences effortlessly, and carrying his team up and over the finish line, singlehandedly, on more than one occasion. His performance in the Season’s 6 finals was perhaps the best of all, where he scored an amazing 22 raid points against Gujarat’s formidable defence to take Bengaluru to the title. His Season 6 stats read a jaw dropping 271 raid points from 24 games at an average of 11.29; he’ll be looking to carry on in the same vein this time around too.
2) Siddharth Desai
Siddharth Desai, popularly called “Bahubali” in the PKL circuit, burst on to the scene with great aplomb in Season 6, ultimately winning the Best Debutant award. He was already catching attention at the senior national finals and turned many a head with his powerful and direct approach to the game for the U-Mumba team, last time around. Season 6’s “fastest player” won 218 raid points from 21 games, averaging 10.38, which is all the more amazing considering he was a debutant. This time around, he has switched to the Telegu Titans, and will definitely be raring to go once again.
3) Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal
The current number 1 in terms of overall raid points, with a staggering 858(as of Season 6), he will certainly want the Pro Kabaddi League title back with him and the Patna Pirates after Bengaluru Bulls trounced their hopes of four straight titles last time around. Pardeep finished Season 5 with an immense 369 raid points, but the Patna skipper and his team, unfortunately, could not keep up their early vigour throughout the entire Season 6. Even so, he finished with 233 raid points from 21 games with an average of 11.10 and will be determined to better that in Season 7 and bring the title back home with the Patna Pirates.
4) Maninder Singh
The Bengal Warriors’ raider has been their star man over the last two campaigns. Despite having mixed form over the course of Season 6, he still managed to pick up 206 raid points from 22 games, averaging 9.66. He is still one of the top raiders in the circuit, and had won the inaugural season with the Jaipur Pink Panthers. He will no doubt have a point to prove and some mouths to shut in the upcoming Season 7.
5) Ajay Thakur
Ajay Thakur
Now 33, the Tamil Thalaivas’ captain just doesn’t seem to age, almost singlehandedly leading his team to the brinks of the playoffs in Season 6. His experience and leadership are a vital part of the Thalaivas’ game, and he just seems to get better every year. Thakur finished Season 6 with 203 raid points from 22 games, averaging 9.22, and will be looking forward to link up with another star raider, Rahul Chaudhari, this year.
