Things are hardly surprising, for fans or experts, when star players deliver with great performances. Simply because they are always expected to compete and excel at the highest level. However, sometimes things don’t work out, maybe due to lack of team chemistry or purely the individual himself. Pro Kabaddi 2016 Season 4, which is heading towards its business end, saw some exceptional performances but there were some big names that did not live up to expectations. Here are five big players who could replicate the brilliance from past seasons in Pro Kabaddi 4.
1. Vishal Mane (Bengal Warriors)
When Vishal Mane left U Mumba for Bengal Warriors, it seemed like a big loss for the former and profit for the latter. Given how crucial a role he played for U Mumba, Mane was expected to lift the Bengal Warriors side to the next level. Unfortunately, Mane was not able to justify his move and failed to deliver as right cover. To put it simply, he could not manag to read the game and opposition raiders got the better of him on numerous occasions.
The thirty-one-year-old was quite loose with his tackles, which he managed on 28 in Pro Kabaddi Season 4. On several occasions, he was extremely petulant in his approach, thereby gifting points to the opposition. The timing of his blocks were not the best either. As a result of all this, he ended up conceding cheap points to the opposition and raiders who found it arduous to unlock Mane previously, thoroughly enjoyed their outing this time around.
2. Surender Nada (Bengaluru Bulls)
Another former U Mumba player, Surender was handed captaincy responsibilities by Bengaluru Bulls in Pro Kabaddi 2016 Season 4 but his leadership was substantially under par and nothing what his team expected from him. The left corner’s vintage ankle holds were rarely season seen this season and he managed only 29 successful tackles during the entire campaign.
Nada was expected to make a deadly combination with Mohit Chillar in defence but the latter was stranded several times, fighting a lone battle against opposition raiders. It is quite possible that undertaking the role of a leader put immense pressure on the twenty-nine-year-old. Stupendously talented, he was touted to hit peak form in season four but it turned out to be his worst till date. The reasons, best known to Nada himself, are of little importance now and Bengaluru Bulls can only hope he returns to his normal self next campaign.
3. Jeeva Kumar (U Mumba)
When owner Ronnie Screwvala and Anup Kumar combined to retain Jeeva Kumar, it was deemed as a master move that would ensure U Mumba had no defensive problems as the veteran was in the top ten raiders of Pro Kabaddi 3. However, as it turned out, Jeeva was far from his best in season four. Looking slow and sluggish, he became the target for oppostion raiders to win easy points whenever there was a pressure situation.
He had only 24 successful tackles this season and his coming short affected U Mumba’s results quite a lot. Having lost the likes of Fazel Atrachali, Vishal Mane, Surender Nada and Mohit Chillar, the onus was on Jeeva to lead the U Mumba defence. However, it was not to be as his footwork let him down and his performances put extreme pressure on U Mumba raiders.
4. Nilesh Shinde (Bengal Warriors)
Another defender who had a poor Pro Kabaddi 2016 Season 4 was Bengal Warriors skipper Nilesh Shinde, who produced on 26 successful tackles during the entire campaign. For someone of his experience and pedigree, Shinde made far too many errors and gave away easy points to opponents. Every time he managed to execute a good tackle, he nullified it with a poor one.
The right corner could never put together a consistent run of match winning performances. Being the captain, the others looked to him in dire times but he was not able to deliver. While’s he had the odd good game this season, Nilesh looked lost on the mat on numerous occasions. His positioning on the mat let him down – making it easier for opposition raiders to execute successful do or die raids.
5. Rishank Devadiga (U Mumba)
U Mumba’s local boy had a stellar season Pro Kabaddi Season 3 and was at the top of the leader board as far as successful raids were concerned. But fast forward to season 4 and he was a shadow of his former self. Despite being seventh on the successful raids list with 57 from 14 games, Rishank was highly conspicuous with his indifferent performances.
His inability to rise to the fore and deliver affected U Mumba’s balance in a colossal manner and put extra responsibility on Anup Kumar, who had to do a major part of the raiding. The risk tacking abilities that he showed last season is nowhere to be found this time. He’s also been guilty of going in for impulsive tackles at crucial times, thereby costing his side dearly. An exceptionally talented youngster with a bright future ahead of him, Rishank will need to bounce back next season.
