'%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)
The league stages of PKL 2018 ended on 27th December 2018. This marked an end to a 3-months long nailbiting action that saw six teams qualifying for the playoffs.
U Mumba, Gujarat Fortune Giants, and Dabang Delhi qualified from Zone A, with Gujarat remaining on the top, followed by U Mumba and Dabang Delhi. On the other hand, Zone B saw the qualification of Bengaluru Bulls on the top, followed by Bengal Warriors and U.P. Yoddhas.
Thus, Gujarat Fortune Giants will face Bengaluru Bulls in Qualifier 1. The winner will go to the final, while the losing side will get another chance in Qualifier 2. The other 4 teams will have to do what Patna Pirates did in their previous season, win 4 consecutive matches to lift the astonishing PKL trophy.
The season will be remembered for quite a few close matches and more importantly, high ups and downs. There were quite a few shocking moments, while the others highly relieving. Let us take a look at some top moments from the league stages.
#4 Anup Kumar's Retirement
The day was 19th December 2018. Probably the saddest day in the history of Indian Kabaddi. Anup Kumar, the hero of Indian Kabaddi, retired after 15 years of his career. This was shocking for everyone.
The 'Captain Cool' had a successful career, which saw him leading U Mumba for 4 consecutive years. In that span, he led the team to the victory in season 2. He is remembered for his trademark toe-touches and bonus. He has even captained the Indian team which won the 2016 world cup. He was also a part of the Indian squad which won the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games Gold.
He had a stellar performance in PKL as well. He had 596 points in 91 matches. He had won the MVP award in season 1 where he scored 169 raid points in 16 matches. He is known for grooming some of the biggest Kabaddi stars, which include Mohit Chillar and Surender Nada.
He had won Arjuna Award in 2012 for his excellent contributions in the sport. Even after his retirement, he will be remembered for long.
#3 Emergence of Siddharth Desai and Pawan Sehrawat
This was undoubtedly the most relieving moment in this season of PKL. This season saw the emergence of the two young guns - Siddharth Desai for U Mumba and Pawan Sehrawat for Bengaluru Bulls.
Siddharth accumulated 211 points in 20 matches while Pawan managed 236 points in 22 matches. They provided tough competition to Pardeep Nawal, who was dominant in raiding department last season.
Siddharth Desai troubled the opposition with his speedy hand touches and power to push the defenders to the other side of the midline. On the other hand, Pawan showed was phenomenal in his skills, mainly dubki and jumps, which allowed him to get multiple points raids.
If Mumba and Bulls have qualified for the playoffs, then these men have played key roles for their respective franchises. They will be players to watch out for in the playoffs as well.
#2 Pardeep Narwal becomes the best raider in PKL history for the first time
This was something that all of us expected from the 'Dubki King' Pardeep Narwal. The 21-year-old surpassed Rahul Chaudhari to become the best raider in the history of PKL.
Pardeep had been the find of season 3. Since then, he has been regularly troubling the opposition defenders. His trademark has been his hand touches and dubki.
Pardeep took almost 15 matches less to surpass Rahul. Right now, Pardeep stands on 858 raid points, whereas Rahul stands on 825. The value of the same increases as Pardeep has played 2 seasons less than him.
He has been phenomenal not only in the raiding but in leadership as well. Under his able guidance, Patna Pirates have won 2 consecutive seasons (season 4 and 5).
He is probably the finest player Indian Kabaddi has ever produced. Let us hope that he continues his dominance in the sport.
#1 Patna Pirates fail to reach playoffs for the first time in PKL history
The biggest surprise from the league stages was the elimination of the 3 time defending champions Patna Pirates. This was the first time when the Pirates failed to qualify in PKL history. This moment was shocking not only for the supporters of the team but for the fans all over the world.
Patna Pirates has won the PKL title for three consecutive times- in season 3, 4 and 5. They are the current defending champions as well.
The heroics of Pardeep Narwal could not save Patna from getting eliminated in the league stages. The biggest reason for this was the lack of a settled defense and a consistent support raider, who could bring points when Pardeep was out of form.
They looked shaky throughout the season and finished 4th on the points table, just 2 points behind UP Yoddhas.
Let us hope that the Pirates are able to rectify the mistakes of this season and put on a better show in the next one.
