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The Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 has eventually made its way to finals day. Following 137 matches in a span of three months that played host to some intense action, we are down to just two teams which have toiled hard to claim a stake in the finals.
Gujarat Fortunegiants, the debutants this season, showed their true potential by topping their Zone 'A' table and also won the qualifier 1 which meant they claimed the first spot in the finals while on the other hand, Patna Pirates will come into the finals on the back of three confidence-boosting victories from the eliminator stages.
Given the talent pool from both teams, the final promises to be a mouth-watering clash. In light of this, here are seven players to watch out for that could make a huge impact in the mega-finale.
LIVE COMMENTARY: Gujarat Fortunegiants vs Patna Pirates, PKL 5 Final, 28 October 2017
#7 Mahendra Ganesh Rajput [ Gujarat Fortunegiants]
The lanky raider has used his tall figure to great effect and has picked up hand touches, toe touches with ease. Although he did not start in an initial couple of games for Gujarat, Rajput made optimum use of the chances given to him and has emerged as the star performer for the squad that could see him starting in the finals.
In 16 matches this season, the raider has picked 53 raid points. Although his stats do not paint a pretty picture, Rajput has been thrown to the wolves during many Do or die raids and he has performed which would be a major confidence booster for him and the team ahead of the vital clash against the Pirates.
#6 Jaideep [Left corner, Patna Pirates]
Playing in only his debut season, Jaideep has turned out to be the lynchpin of the Patna defence and his performances have often covered for the flaws committed by the other defenders. Pouncing on the ankles of the opposition raiders fearlessly, Jaideep has earned himself a tag as one of the best defenders from this season.
With 66 points from 25 matches, the left corner has enjoyed a fantastic season and sits in third place for the most tackle points. Not only has he gone in for tackles on his own, his dashes have proved to be too hot the handle and the Pirates defender has four High-5's to his name from this season.
Against a team that boasts of raiders such as Sachin and Sukesh Hegde, Jaideep's form will be crucial for the Pirates.
#5 Monu Goyat [Patna Pirates]
To shine in the shadows of someone who is in roaring form is a difficult task but one man who has managed to play second foil and perform exceedingly well is Monu Goyat. With Pardeep Narwal going berserk, Monu has gone about his job silently and picked up points with ease to consistently climb up the charts.
In 25 matches this season, the raider has 182 raid points to his name with an average of 7.28 per game with nine 'super-10s' to his name. With a knack to pick up bonus points with ease, Pardeep was given the license to go for the kill in every game that played to the Pirates' strategy very well in the end.
Against a strong Gujarat defence led by the two Iranian pillars, Monu's role will be emphasised and if Pardeep fails, the onus will be upon him to perform.
#4 Fazel Athrachali [Left corner, Gujarat Fortunegiants]
Joining the Gujarat squad as the priority pick ahead of the PKL auctions, Fazel has proved that he is worth every penny. Leading the squad from the left corner, the Iranian has brought all his experience into play and put in the holds and dashes to good effect but more importantly, has contributed to every tackle put in by the rest of the defenders.
With no big names in the defence unit, the onus was on Fazel to take up the responsibility right from the first game and he's done superbly well to order his troops around while also performing individually, picking up 57 points from 23 encounters.
Against the Pirates who's been shattering record after record, the Iranian will look to be on top of his game.
#3 Sachin Tanwar [Gujarat Fortunegiants]
Easily the best of the Gujarat raiders this season, Sachin has impressed with his raiding prowess and has led Gujarat to many victories this season. From 23 matches, he has picked 122 points with an average of 5.3 points per game.
While the Gujarat defence has come together really well, Sachin's swift raiding has taken Gujarat out of troubled waters on more than one occasion. The lanky raider has depended on the bonus for a majority of his points but has also compounded misery on the opposition defenders with quick toe touches and good running hand touches.
Against the Patna defence, Sachin will be expected to come good and lead his team to victory in their inaugural season.
#2 Abozar Mighani [Right corner, Gujarat Fortunegiants]
Nicknamed the 'Bulldozer', Abozar has made life absolutely difficult for the raiders who have come in his way. With a headband and a well-built physique, Abozar's presence on the left corner has only made life easy for the rest of the defence, which has played second fiddle to the Iranian's efforts on many occasions.
In 23 matches, the left corner has accumulated 64 points and has exhibited fearless defending, going in with the ankle holds and dashes without thinking twice. Along with his countryman Fazel Athrachali, Abozar has formed a formidable partnership that has taken Gujarat to the finals.
Against the in-form Pardeep Narwal, Abozar's contribution will be crucial and given that Pardeep will come in toward Abozar first, it only heightens the need for Abozar to be one up on Pardeep's every move.
#1 Pardeep Narwal [Patna Pirates]
If there was ever a Ballon d'Or award for Kabaddi, it would undoubtedly go to Pardeep Narwal, who continues to shatter records with every match he plays. This season has been no different as Pardeep already has 350 raid points from 25 matches with an astounding average of 14 raid points per match.
Such is his impact that the 20-year-old has picked up 15 'Super-10's from 25 matches and recently entered the 600 raid point club. Against the Steelers, Pardeep pulled off an eight-point raid, wiping out the whole Steelers' defence and ended the match with 34 raid points, the most in a game in PKL history.
Going by the form he is in, Pardeep looks unstoppable but he will be going head to head against probably PKL's best defence unit which will definitely prove to be an interesting clash.
