India has an embarrassment of riches when it to kabaddi talent and that fact can be verified by taking a look at the list of 26 players, who have been chosen to participate in camp being held in Gujarat for the selection of the Indian team. The camp, already underway, will help selectors determine the 14 best players, who will represent India in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. Some of the biggest stars of Pro Kabaddi League, including Anup Kumar, Rahul Chaudhari, Manjeet Chhillar, Rohit Kumar and Pardeep Narwal, are participating in this camp.
The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup begins on 7th October in Ahmedabad and will feature 12 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, South Korea, Iran and India among others. India, given its strength and experience, are favourites to win the tournament but being complacent is not going to be an option for the home team. However, the bigger challenge, at first, would be picking the final squad.
There is no dearth of talent in any category for India, be it raiders, defenders or all-rounders. To start with raiders, India’s most seasoned player, U Mumba captain Anup Kumar, is likely to be named as the captain and would be an important cog in the raiding wheel. Other in-form raiders, who could be included in the team, are Rahul Chaudhari (Telugu Titans), Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates), Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru Bulls), Deepak Niwas Hooda (Puneri Paltan) and Kashiling Adake (Dabang Delhi).
Having a strong defence is mandatory for any successful team and India has an excellent mix of both young and old players. Amit Hooda (Jaipur Pink Panthers), Mohit Chillar (Bengaluru Bulls) and Sandeep Dhull (Telugu Titans) are young players who shined in Pro Kabaddi 2016 Season 4 and will be closely monitored by selectors. However, there is a lot of experience in the form of Nilesh Shinde (Bengal Warriors), Vishal Mane (Bengal Warriors) and Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Patna Pirates).
As far as all-rounders are concerned, Puneri Paltan captain Manjeet Chhillar and Jaipur Pink Panthers star Rajesh Narwal could make the cut along with Telugu Titans player Sandeep Narwal for the final squad.
Striking a balance is going to be key for the Indian selectors and they would be looking to choose specialists in all departments. The tactics of the coach are going to be critical and the squad needs to be in sync with them. Here is the complete list of 26 players, who are participating in the camp:
Anup Kumar (U Mumba), Kashiling Adake (Dabang Delhi), Rajesh Mondal (Patna Pirates), Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates), Rishank Devadiga (U Mumba), Rajesh Narwal (Jaipur Pink Panthers), Ajay Thakur (Puneri Paltan), Deepak Niwas Hooda (Puneri Paltan), Jasvir Singh (Jaipur Pink Panthers), Rahul Chaudhari (Telugu Titans), Ajay Kumar (Jaipur Pink Panthers), Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru Bulls), Sandeep Dhull (Telugu Titans), Surender Nada (Bengaluru Bulls), Nilesh Shinde (Bengal Warriors), Sachin Shingade (Dabang Delhi), Vishal Mane (Bengal Warriors), Girish Maruti Ernak (Bengal Warriors), Surjeet (U Mumba), Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Patna Pirates), Manjeet Chhillar (Puneri Paltan), Mohit Chillar (Bengaluru Bulls), Amit Hooda (Jaipur Pink Panthers), Nitin Tomar (Puneri Paltan), Sandeep Narwal (Telugu Titans) and K. Prapanjan (Telugu Titans).
