Indo International Premier Kabaddi League 2019: Best playing 7 of the tournament 

Bangalore Rhinos vs. Pune Pride (IIPKL 2019 Final)
Bangalore Rhinos vs. Pune Pride (IIPKL 2019 Final)

Cover Defenders

Vikash Khatri and Dhanaraj B were phenomenal as cover defenders.
Vikash Khatri and Dhanaraj B were phenomenal as cover defenders.

Right Cover: Vikash Khatri (Haryana Heroes)

Vikash Khatri, who was a part of Puneri Paltan in Season five and season of the Pro Kabaddi League was named the captain of Haryana Heroes in this season. Known for his raiding skills in recent past, Vikas Khatri emerged as a fine defender in the tournament, providing some decent support to the corner defenders of the Haryana Heroes. He was brilliant with his blocks and dashes as he scored 39 tackle points in 10 matches averaging 3.9 tackle points.

Left Cover: Dhanaraj B (Chennai Challengers)

Dhanaraj B from Chennai Challengers was the team's defensive lynchpin who led Chennai to a third place finish. His waist holds, which he executed with perfection and quick dashes emerged as his trademark that fetched him 27 tackle points in 12 matches as he finished as the league's best right cover defender.


Raiders

Left to right: Amarjeeth Singh (Pune Pride), Vishal (Bangalore Rhinos) and Sunil Jaipal (Diler Delhi)
Left to right: Amarjeeth Singh (Pune Pride), Vishal (Bangalore Rhinos) and Sunil Jaipal (Diler Delhi)

Right In: Amarjeeth Singh (Pune Pride)

Amarjeeth Singh was one of the finds of the tournament who played as the lead raider for Pune Pride. This left raider is an Indian Army Kabaddi player who had a phenomenal outing on the raiding front as he led the team's offensive charge single-handedly. Amarjeeth Singh scored 116 raid points in 12 matches at an average of 9.67 raid points. In an encounter against Pondicherry Predators, Amarjeeth Singh scored 23 raid points, the second most points in a game from the opening season.

Left In: Vishal (Bangalore Rhinos)

While Arumugam and Vipin Malik were having a brilliant season, Vishal failed to show up in the initial matches for Bangalore Rhinos. However, just as Bangalore Rhinos lost a few games, Vishal emerged as one of the mature raiders who executed brilliant super raids and led Bangalore to make decent comebacks.

In the semi-final clash against Diler Delhi, Vishal scored 24 raid points with his escapes and dubkis which allowed Bangalore to register a lop-sided win (63-33). Owing to his fine show during the season, Vishal was adjudged as the best raider of the season with 82 raid points.

Center: Sunil Jaipal (Diler Delhi)

This veteran from Pro Kabaddi had a brilliant season with Diler Delhi during the IIPKL. Named as the captain, Sunil led from the front in the raiding unit, scoring 'Super 10s' consecutively. His running hand touches were a feast to the eyes as he raided with sequential shuffle across the court. He became an integral part of the defense as well with 15 tackle points. He scored 131 raid points in 12 matches averaging 10.92 raid points. Despite being positioned in fourth place, Diler Delhi found a gem in Sunil Jaipal as he became the most valuable player of the league and the best all-rounder of the inaugural season of the league.


Best Playing 7 of IIPKL Season 1

Sandeep Kharb (Right Corner), Amarjeeth Singh (Right In), Vikash Khatri (Right Cover), Sunil Jaipal (C) (Center), Dhanaraj B (Left Cover), Vishal (Left In) and Jithender Yadav (Left Corner)

Substitutes

Manoj (Bangalore Rhinos), Rashid Shaikh (Mumbai Che Raje), R Suresh Kumar (Pondicherry Predators), Satnam Singh (Haryana Heroes) and Arumugam (Bangalore Rhinos)

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Edited by Prasen Moudgal