5 Pro Kabaddi League signings that showcase teams' emphasis on defensive solidity

Kabaddi is a game that requires team work and coordination between the players of a team, to ensure success and clinch victory. All the members of the team are equally important, and each has his own role to play for a successful outcome.

The team that scores the most number of points wins the game, so raiders are quite essential for a team. At the same time, defenders also have a significant role to play as they stop the raiders from scoring points.

Nowadays, teams are paying special emphasis on defensive solidity along with having a flamboyant offense. Defense is what helps teams convert their strengths into a championship, and teams are all focused on getting that aspect right.

Defenders in Kabaddi play the role of providing that protection to their team as they cling on to each other to protect the interests of the team, allowing the attackers to focus on scoring points for their team, very similar to how the Castrol Activ Actibonds cling on to protect the engine, allowing for better function and performance continuously.

Of the 7 most expensive signings in the Pro Kabaddi League season 4 auction, 5 were defenders, showcasing the importance of defenders in the game. Let’s take a look at these signings -

Surender Nada - 30 lakhs

Surender Nada was a vital cog in the wheels of U Mumba, and was one of the main reasons for their brilliant display in the first season. He will be donning the hat of captain for Bengaluru Bulls this season, who bought him for a price of 30 lakhs.

His arsenal includes the ankle hold and thigh hold, and he is one of the toughest customers to deal with for raiders in the left cover, a position he has made his own. He had quiet outings in season 3 as he was kept out of U Mumba’s team by Fazel Atrachali, but Nada would be hoping to find his form back and lead the Bulls to the title this season.

Jasmer Singh Gulia – 35.5 lakhs

A very experienced defender who has made the country proud in various international events over the years, Jasmer Singh Gulia will turn up for Telugu Titans this season, who bought him for a price of 35.5 lakhs from Puneri Paltan.

He was a regular for the Paltans in seasons 1 and 3, and had his name in the list of top 5 defenders for both seasons. Over the course of the three seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, he has accrued 86 tackle points.

Jasmer’s main weapon lies in his strength and power, as he has the capability to block and push away any raider, stopping the opposition from scoring points in the process.

Having played the sport for many years, he can play in both the right cover as well as right corner for his team, as and when the situation demands. Being an all-rounder, he will provide a lot of flexibility to the Titans and be instrumental in their success this season.

Fazel Atrachali - 38 lakhs

The Iranian powerhouse, Fazel Atrachali, was bought by Patna Pirates from U Mumba for 38 lakhs. Fazel didn’t play in a lot of matches in season 2, but impressed in the limited chances that he got. He had a great season 3, as he was instrumental in U Mumba reaching their 3rd consecutive final with 11 victories on the trot, in which he had 32 tackle points.

Atrachali will take the responsibility of stopping raiders with his ankle hold and powerful dashes. If he coordinates and links up well with another talented defender in the ranks of the Pirates, Dharmaraj Cheralathan, then the team from Patna could be a force to reckon with in season 4 and could have a great chance of defending their title from season 3.

Jeeva Kumar - 40 lakhs

Jeeva Kumar was bought back by U Mumba for a price of 40 lakhs, which shows their faith in their talented, fearless defender. Kumar, who plays as the left cover, is capable of stopping any raider from scoring points. He mainly relies on his power, with the thigh hold being his major weapon against raiders.

He couldn’t do much in Season 1 because of an injury, but had some great performances in season 2, especially against the then defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers with four super tackles in the very first match of the season. Jeeva also had the second most tackle assists (29) in season 3.

With Mohit Chhillar and Surender Nada, the two main defenders for U Mumba in the three seasons so far, not with the team anymore, the responsibility of stopping opposition raiders from scoring points off them would lie on Jeeva Kumar, and the 35-year-old is sure to step up to the plate.

Mohit Chhillar – 53 lakhs

Mohit Chhillar has been one of the most consistent and impressive defenders of the Pro Kabaddi League through its first three seasons. He was bought by Bengaluru Bulls from U Mumba for a sum of 53 lakhs, the most expensive player in the Season 4 auction.

The brawny lad from Nizampur who plays at the right corner was U Mumba’s best defender in both seasons 2 and 3, and would be looking forward to show the Bengaluru fans how good he is in season 4.

Mohit, who relies mainly on the knee hold and ankle hold, has garnered 123 tackle points across 3 seasons of PKL. He is also responsible for 10 super tackles, the 3rd most in the history of PKL.

Chhillar will be the crucial man for Bengaluru Bulls in defence and their success would depend on him. He would also be under pressure to prove that he’s worth the vast sum invested in him by the franchise.

Knowing him, we can be quite sure that he will have another great season where he shackles raiders all through.