Pro Kabaddi 2017, Season 5: Calm to aggressive, the predicted team captains for the new season

Will Meraj Sheykh be handed the Delhi armband?

Dabang Delhi

The capital side have been dismal over the past two seasons and a large part of their failures on the mat, can be attributed to the absence of an able leader. Ravinder Pahal and Kashiling Adake are no doubt supremely talented players but captaining the side had a negative impact on their individual performances.

Iranian import, Meraj Sheykh impressed in the little time he was handed captaincy responsibilities. But the introduction of experienced campaigner and former Bengal captain, Nilesh Shinde in the squad will ensure Sheykh can solely focus on helping the team as an all-rounder.

Haryana Steelers

Will someone raise their hand up? The Haryana Steelers are littered with a wide array of talent. But the absence of a calm and clever leader is something that could prove to be their undoing. The player who eventually takes up the mantle could well be raider, Wazir Singh, former captain at Pune in season 2.

Singh is in no way a seasoned captain, but the choices are few and far between. Former U Mumba man, Surender Nada could stake his claim too but Singh’s minimal yet relevant past experience as a leader should give him the edge.

Bengaluru Bulls

Looking back, it seems evident. Teams at the auction pursued talent over leadership. The Bulls are another side with no clear-cut captain on paper. Star raider, Rohit Kumar will be keen to prove his worth after a controversial summer during which he flooded the papers for all the wrong reasons.

As cliched as it may sound, leaders lead by example and in Kumar, the Bulls have a player whose actions on the mat will pave the way for his teammates to perform at their peak.