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The Panchkula leg of the 2019 edition of Pro Kabaddi League ended last Friday as the action has now moved to Greater Noida. The home team, Haryana Steelers sealed their place in the playoffs during the Panchkula leg, much to the satisfaction of the home fans. However, the Steelers did not have a perfect run at the Tau Devilal Sports Complex.
They had a 50 percent win record with 2 wins and 2 losses from 4 fixtures. The raiders of all the teams ruled the roost in Panchkula as the fans witnessed multiple high-scoring encounters during the course of the leg.
The defenders struggled to keep the raiders down, committing a host of unsuccessful tackles in the process. But even in these testing times, the following five defenders managed to impress kabaddi fans with their tackling abilities.
Here's a look at the top 5 defenders from the Panchkula leg -
#5 Nitesh Kumar - 7 tackle points (U.P. Yoddha)
Match - 1, Tackle Points - 7, Average Tackle Points/Match - 7
The captain of U.P. Yoddha, Nitesh Kumar led his side from the front in the match against the home team, Haryana Steelers. The Lucknow-based franchise ensured that the Steelers do not kick off their home leg on a winning note by defeating them in the opening encounter.
Kumar took an astounding number of 7 tackle points in the match to keep Vikash Kandola and Co. silent. He received good support from his partner, Sumit, who took 3 tackle points in the match.
This stellar performance even helped Kumar break into the top 5 of the 'Most Tackle Points' list of PKL 2019.
#4 Ravinder Pahal - 8 tackle points (Dabang Delhi K.C.)
Matches - 2, Tackle Points - 8, Average Tackle Points/Match - 4
The right corner defender of Dabang Delhi K.C., Ravinder Pahal lit up the Tau Devilal Sports Complex with a High 5 against Puneri Paltan on the second night of the Panchkula leg. He took 6 tackle points in a match which saw a total of 100 points being scored.
Though Pahal was at his best versus the Puneri Paltan side, he could not carry on his form against Bengal Warriors as he could only score 2 tackle points. Nevertheless, he still finished the Panchkula leg as one of the best defenders.
#3 Parvesh Bhainswal - 8 tackle points (Gujarat Fortune Giants)
Matches - 2, Tackle Points - 8, Average Tackle Points/Match - 4
The left cover defender of Gujarat Fortune Giants, Parvesh Bhainswal stepped up for his team in the absence of his brother, Sunil Kumar. He absolutely decimated the raiding unit of Tamil Thalaivas on the first day of the Panchkula leg by taking a High 5 in the defence.
In the fixture against the home side, Bhainswal scored three tackle points but ultimately the Fortune Giants lost the match by one point.
#2 Sunil - 9 tackle points (Haryana Steelers)
Matches - 4, Tackle Points - 9, Average Tackle Points/Match - 2.5
The right corner defender of the home franchise, Sunil has partnered with the veteran Dharmaraj Cheralathan to trouble the opposition raiders with their tackling skills. However, Sunil managed to overshadow his skipper at the Tau Devilal Sports Complex as he scored more points than him for the Steelers.
The youngster scored 9 tackle points in 4 games to help his team finish with a decent record at home. His average of 2.5 tackle points per match signifies his importance in the team.
#1 Ravi Kumar - 14 tackle points (Haryana Steelers)
Matches - 4, Tackle Points - 14, Average Tackle Points/Match - 3.5
With 2 High 5s in 4 matches, Ravi Kumar proved that he is a match winner for the Haryana Steelers. He took a High 5 against U.P. Yoddha in the home leg opener and then he bid adieu to the fans at the Tau Devilal Sports Complex with 7 tackle points against Telugu Titans.
Though he could take only two tackle points in the other two games, Kumar emerged as the best defender from the Panchkula leg.
