Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has helped the game of kabaddi touch unprecedented heights in our country and has popularised the indigenous sport born in primitive India like never before. The tournament has made people turn heads and take notice of the sport, which now has millions of fans all over the country who root for their favourite teams every time they take to the mat.
Kabaddi, being a team sport, requires proper coordination between the players and team work is very necessary for success in the game. Most experts would say an individual player cannot single-handedly change the course of a game, but there are specific players who take their teams to the next level, with the amazing display of their skills on the field that makes all the difference for their side.
With 3 seasons already gone and the fourth almost upon us, it is not unusual to see your favourite players change their teams. However, there are some players who have always played in one team and will do so in Season 4 as well. Let us take a look at 5 such players:
1) Anup Kumar (U Mumba)
Anup Kumar is one of the greatest players that India has produced in kabaddi over the years. A raider with unmatched talent, determination and perseverance, Anup, an Arjuna awardee has made the country proud at various international events.
The raider has been the captain of U Mumba right from Season 1 and has led his team to many victories over the course of the tournament since its inception. Under his leadership, U Mumba finished as runners-up in Season 1 and 3 and were the champions of Season 2. He is undoubtedly the most vital player for the team from Mumbai.
He was the most successful raider of Season 1, having topped the list of best raiders with 155 raid points. Kumar had a very successful Season 2 as well, as he, with 74, finished fourth in the list of raiders with the most raid points and guided his team to the title. Despite taking a backseat to mentor Rishank Devadiga, he still had 63 successful raids in Season 3 as he guided his team to yet another final.
Anup specialises in toe-touches and bonus points. Without question, this man has the capability of changing the course of a game, and can be considered to be the most consistent and foremost player in the history of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi.
2) Jasvir Singh (Jaipur Pink Panthers)
Jasvir Singh is a man of enduring spirit and resolve. The captain and star raider of Jaipur Pink Panthers scores on his own will, and can create mayhem for the opposition on his day. He led the Panthers to victory in the inaugural season as they emerged as the champions. He has impressed with his game awareness and his tactical abilities, changing the pace of the game as the team required.
He had 106 raid points in Season 1, and was one of the most successful players for the Panthers, and led them like a true commander with authority on the field. In Season 2, he finished 8th in the list of top raiders with 64 raid points.
Jasvir has played a total of 32 matches in the tournament and has conjured up 152 successful raids and 14 successful tackles. A proper team player, he can also double up as a defender when his team requires him to. A selfless player who considers victory to be of utmost importance, Jasvir Singh can be a very dangerous player when he’s in the mood and can single-handedly decide the outcome of a game.
3) Kashiling Adake (Dabang Delhi)
Kashiling Adake is a talented raider and one of the brightest players for India in the sport. Only 23 years of age, Adake doubles up as both captain and the most crucial raider for Dabang Delhi. Even though the team has not had great outings in any of the seasons, Kashi, as he is fondly called, has impressed many.
The man from Sangli, Maharashtra has finished in the list of top 10 raiders in all the three seasons. In Season 1, he finished 5th in the list with 113 points. He was the only player to cross the 100-point mark in Season 2, finishing with 114 points while in Season 3, he managed 75 points in an under-whelming season for the team. He has played 39 matches for Dabangg Delhi so far, with 235 successful raids to his name and 14 successful tackles.
The youngster is a powerhouse raider, and defenders find it really difficult to subdue him when he goes out to raid. He has been one of the very few shining spots in the otherwise lacklustre performance by Dabang Delhi in the 3 seasons played so far. His conduct and the presentation of his skills on the mat against various oppositions has time and again proven his talent and foothold in the game, and he is sure to become one of the greats of the sport as time passes by.
4) Rahul Chaudhari (Telugu Titans)
Rahul Chaudhari was the best young player of Season 1, and undoubtedly the find of the season. A relatively unknown player before the inception of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi, Rahul is now the captain of Telugu Titans and has also gone on to represent India at the South Asian Games. He has been the most consistent player in the tournament so far, having finished in the list of the top 5 raiders in all the three seasons.
The Telugu Titans captain finished second in the list of top 10 raiders in Season 1 with 151 points, behind Anup Kumar. He repeated his performance in Season 2 as he scored 98 points to finish second again. In Season 3, he finished fourth with 87 points. Overall, he has played 41 matches for the Titans, with 336 raid points in 3 Seasons, the highest for any player in the history of PKL.
Having already amassed multiple accolades to his name, defenders are now wary and careful when Rahul comes to raid, as he can single-handedly destroy defences when in form. He is one of the most skilled and talented young players in the sport currently, and the future of kabaddi is safe in his hands.
5) Rishank Devadiga (U Mumba)
Rishank has truly developed as a player in the three seasons of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. He was the do-or-die specialist for U Mumba in the first two seasons, but turned up as their main raider in Season 3, with captain Anup Kumar being busy with his national duties. A heavy burden was on this youngster’s shoulders, but he did not disappoint.
He was the team's leading raider, and also came second in the list of top raiders of Season 3. He was one of the only 3 players to get 100+ raid points in the third season. He has played 45 matches for Mumbai so far, with 214 raid points and 36 defence points to his name. This fearless youngster is not afraid of taking responsibilities and has proven his mettle by performing exceedingly well and giving tough competition to the more experienced and battle hardened players.
On his day, Rishank can tear apart the defence of any opposition, as he did in Season 3, and will be looking to spearhead his team's attack as they aim to reclaim the title they lost to Patna Pirates in Season 3.
