Pro Kabaddi, India’s most-watched league after IPL, will get started from December 22,2021. Bengaluru Bulls will lock horns with former champions U Mumba in the league opener.
To win a match, it is important that the team has an impregnable defense who can outclass the raiders. In addition to this, defense plays a crucial role in any team’s performance. Additionally, it is said that, to win a championship, the defense of a team must be reliable and consistent. Looking at different teams, one can figure out that all the teams have built their team strong especially considering the vertical of defense.
And hence, have a look at the top 4 defenders to keep an eye on in the upcoming Pro Kabaddi 2021 season.
1. Ravinder Pahal (Gujarat Giants):
Ravinder Pahl spearheaded the defense for the Dabang Delhi KC, having scalped 63 points in 23 encounters. Notably, this year, the star-defender is grabbed by Gujarat Giants for a mouth-watering amount of Rs.74 lakh. It would be fascinating to see if the right corner defender can put a justice to his price-tag with two-time PKL finalists(Gujarat Giants) in the upcoming edition.
2. Nitesh Kumar (UP Yoddha):
UP Yoddha’s top defender Nitesh Kumar has the record to his name for the highest tackle points scored in a single Pro Kabaddi season. Notably, he concluded the seventh season in the top 3 of the defenders table. Earlier, the defense spear-head racked 100 tackle points during the sixth edition of PKL. On the other hand, UP Yoddha failed to secure a single trophy in PKL. And hence, Nitesh will be looking forward to continue his momentum from previous seasons and would like to clinch the maiden PKL trophy for Yoddhas’.
3. Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba):
Having played in previous editions with different heavyweights of PKL to the likes of Patna Pirates and Gujarat Fortune Giants , Fazel is an experienced campaigner. Notably, the left corner defender managed to scalped 82 tackle points in 24 encounters which is the highest tackle points in the previous PKL edition. Meanwhile, U Mumba has failed to secure PKL trophy in 2019. On that note, the 29-year-old will be looking to give his best and continue to maintain his breath-taking performances to direct U Mumba franchise to victories.
4. Rinku Narwal (Bengal Warriors):
Getting named in the top-10 of defender’s leaderboard in the previous edition and living up to the legacy of defender Nilesh Shinde for Bengal Warriors, a new star has arose in the name of Rinku Narwal. Notably, the left corner defender grabbed 64 tackle points in 23 encounters. Also, this year, the defending champions have retained him in the team for Pro Kabaddi 2021 and this would definitely motivate him to keep his performances consistent in the upcoming edition of PKL.
Also Read | Top 4 raiders to watch out in Pro Kabaddi 2021