'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When a lion walks around a grassland looking for its prey, how the target defends itself it something to watch out for. In a game of Kabaddi, a raider plays the role of a lion and the defence unit plays the role of the target.
As simple as it is for a raider to even get a touch on the shirt of a defender, it is that much harder for a defender to avoid the touch and also capture the raider in their own half.
Through this slider, we try and bring out the top 10 bracket of the best defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League.
#10 Girish Maruti Ernak
A member of the defence heavy Bengal Warriors outfit last season, Girish Ernak played helping hand to the experienced duo of Bajirao Hodage and Nilesh Shinde to good effect.
Well built and aware of the game's situation at all times, Girish often took up the responsibility of defending on the left corner while skipper Nilesh Shinde took care of the right corner.
From the 48 games he has played, Girish has amassed 108 tackle points including some super 5s. Ahead of the PKL 5 season, he was bought by the Puneri Paltan and he will go on to play under Manjeet Chhillar.
#9 Vishal Prabhakar Mane
Whenever U Mumba needed to land a body blow on the raider, Vishal Mane was there. He was there when they needed crucial points and super tackles. Mane was the go-to man for Anup Kumar at U Mumba.
An expert at the right cover position, Vishal Mane often combined fabulously well with the corner defenders and right throughout his PKL career, instigated the attack on the opposition raider.
One of the premier defenders in the competition, Vishal will represent Patna Pirates in PKL 5, bought for a sum of 36.5 lakh in the auctions.
#8 Bajirao Hodage
One of the two defensive pillars in the Bengal Warriors outfit in the previous couple of seasons, Bajirao Hodage is one of the premier defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League.
From 43 matches, Bajirao has 86 tackle points and has often combined with Nilesh Shinde to produce tackles on the raiders. In the absence of Shinde, he also took up the responsibility a couple of times, highlighting his importance in the team.
Bajirao will make a move to Dabangg Delhi KC for season 5, a welcome move which could see a rise in Delhi's fortunes.
#7 Joginder Narwal
An asset on the left corner, Joginder made life miserable for opposition raiders with constant dives with commendable precision. Joginder started off his PKL career with the Bengaluru Bulls before moving to U Mumba after the first two seasons.
While Joginder was in the Bulls squad, he was a constant in the starting team and made life easier for skipper Manjeet Chhillar. Once he moved to U Mumba, he did not play often but when he did, his presence was felt.
#6 Fazel Atrachali
There's a saying that goes 'When an opportunity comes knocking at your door, take it'. That's exactly what the Iranian defender did, coming in to replace Nada in season 3, who was representing India at the South Asian Games.
Such was the impact of Athrachali that his 100% tackle rate sent a strong message out to the raiders not to mess around with the left-corner. In PKL 4, he made a move to Patna, where he enjoyed a terrific season, winning the title with them and ending with the 'Defender of the season' award.
Given his exploits in defending, Athrachali was chosen as the priority pick by Gujarat and will occupy his favoured left-corner position yet again.
#5 Nilesh Shinde
An Asian Games gold medalist, Nilesh Shinde has acres of experience under his belt but unfortunately for him, he has not been able to lead his side to the title victory.
A consistent performer, Shinde has made the right corner position his own and his trademark ankle holds have proved costly for the opposition.
The veteran has played 54 matches with 115 defence points against his name and come PKL Season 5, he will represent Dabang Delhi KC, who will hope Shinde's addition will beef up their defensive unit.
#4 Ravinder Pahal
Arguably one of the best left-corners in the Pro Kabaddi League, Ravinder Pahal has represented Dabangg Delhi KC and Puneri Paltan in previous editions before he was bought by Bengaluru Bulls for PKL season 5.
The defender was on fire in season 2, quite contrary to his show in season 1. It seemed as if captaincy added a boost to his game as the defender amassed the highest points in the season and earned the 'defender of the season' award.
This PKL 5, he will occupy the left corner's position at the Bengaluru Bulls, being bought for 50 lakh in the auction.
#3 Surender Nada
Of the famous pairs in Indian sport, Kabaddi's best has to be the pair of Surender Nada and Mohit Chhillar. The duo has played for two different teams, occupying the left corner and right corner respectively.
Nada started his PKL career with U Mumba and immediately forged an important partnership with Mohit Chhillar before shifting to the Bengaluru Bulls where he was given captaincy duties in season 4, the same season when he performed his best, collecting 33 tackle points from 14 matches.
In PKL 5, he will be seen representing the Haryana Steelers alongside Mohit Chhillar.
#2 Dhamaraj Cheralathan
At the age of 42, Cheralathan is PKL's oldest player but his defence tactics are capable of giving any youngster a run for his money. The Tamil Nadu man has nine gold medals from national level competitions and was also an integral part of the Indian 2016 World Cup Kabaddi team.
Cheralathan started his PKL career with the Bengaluru Bulls and in season 3, he moved to the Patna Pirates in season 3 and also led them to a title victory before shifting to the Titans in season 4. From 59 matches, the veteran has 151 points to his name.
In season 5, Cheralathan will be representing Puneri Paltan under skipper Manjeet Chhillar.
#1 Mohit Chhillar
A beast, by all means, Mohit Chhillar is one defender who any raider would want to avoid at any point in their raid. Consistent performances for U Mumba in the first two seasons made the Bengaluru Bulls break bank for him as they went all out in the auctions to procure his services.
While representing the Bulls, Mohit was at the top of his game and along with Nada, spelt doom for opposition raiders. In season 4, he put up his best performance, ending the season with 47 points and third on the list of highest tackle points.
For season 5, Mohit will be teaming up with Nada at the Haryana Steelers.
