Pro Kabaddi 2019: Predicting the starting 7 for the Bengal Warriors

Bengal Warriors' squad for VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 7
Bengal Warriors' squad for VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 7

The seventh edition of Vivo Pro Kabaddi League is set to begin from 20th July 2019. This season will see a change in rules and unlike the past two seasons, there will be no zonal classifications. All teams will play each other twice in the group stage to decide the ultimate champion.

Bengal Warriors have made an appearance in all the six seasons thus far. They managed to qualify into the playoffs on multiple occasions but have failed to get across the line to clinch the trophy. In PKL 7, Bengal Warriors will play their first match against UP Yoddha on 24th July.

Their home leg will start from 7th September in Kolkata and will end on 13th September. In the Season 7 auctions, Bengal Warriors signed 19 players in their squad with Maninder Singh and Baldev Singh as their retentions.

In the auctions, Iranian Mohammad Esmaiel Nabibakhsh was the highest paid player for Bengal Warriors at a cost of ₹77.75 lakhs. Jeeva Kumar's inclusion will strengthen their defense while it will be interesting to watch raiding combination of Maninder Singh and K Prapanjan.

Bengal Warriors have signed BC Ramesh as their head coach for Season 7 who is the national coach of Karnataka Kabaddi team. He is an Arjuna awardee and former gold medalist from Indian Kabaddi team. He was the assistant coach of Season 6 champions, Bengaluru Bulls who won their maiden title last year.

With Pro Kabaddi 2019 just around the corner, here are three players from the Bengal Warriors who can make a massive impact in the upcoming season.


Right Corner: Baldev Singh

Baldev Singh debuted with Bengal Warriors back in season 6.
Baldev Singh debuted with Bengal Warriors back in season 6.

A kabaddi player from Dabhota, Himachal Pradesh, Baldev Singh made his debut back in PKL season 6. Baldev Singh has scored 27 tackle points in 18 matches played for Bengal Warriors at an average of 1.33 tackle points.

Aggressive on the mat, Baldev has fit in well to suit Bengal's defense strategy. His back holds and chain tackles are glorious to watch. Though his numbers do not paint a pretty picture, he did not leak points through the defense which was the highlight of his game.

Additionally, his mature defending ensured that the Bengal Warriors retain faith in the right corner and with Surjeet shifting teams, Baldev's form will be crucial.

Right In: K Prapanjan

K Prapanjan was part of Gujarat Fortuneginats in PKL 6.
K Prapanjan was part of Gujarat Fortuneginats in PKL 6.

K Prapanjan was part of U Mumba for two seasons of the PKL before he shifted to the Telugu Titans in PKL season 4. However, on all three occasions, he was used as a substitute and came to prominence when he got the opportunity in the starting 7 of Tamil Thalaivas in PKL season 5.

He finished with 123 raid points from 22 matches and gave much-needed support to Ajay Thakur. In season 6, he scored 122 raid points in 22 matches for his team Gujarat Fortunegiants and over the seasons, has added a lot of depth to his skill sets.

Prapanjan is known for his his swift running hand touches and can execute toe touches as well with his bonus taking ability. He is expected to play as a secondary raider, especially as do-or-die raider for the Bengal Warriors.

Right Cover: Jeeva Kumar

Jeeva Kumar's inclusion has brought experience in the squad.
Jeeva Kumar's inclusion has brought experience in the squad.

One of the most experienced players of Pro Kabaddi League, Jeeva Kumar might play as a right cover for Bengal Warriors. He is a veteran cover defender who can play on both cover positions.

Jeeva Kumar was part of U Mumba until the fourth season of the PKL. For the next two seasons, he represented the UP Yoddha. He stays calm in pressure situations and tackles the raiders with his various defensive skills.

Jeeva has 195 tackle points in 93 matches. With acres of experience from the local circuit, the cover defender is famously known for his dashes and can be a major contributor to Bengal Warriors's success in the upcoming season.

The Warriors already have the likes of Baldev Singh, Mohammad Nabibakhsh in the mix and with Jeeva joining the side, the squad wears a solid look on the defensive front.

Center: Mohammad Esmaiel Nabibakhsh

Mohammad Esmaiel Nabibakhsh is an Iranian all-rounder.
Mohammad Esmaiel Nabibakhsh is an Iranian all-rounder.

Bengal Warriors signed Mohammad Esmaiel Nabibakhsh for a massive ₹77.75 lakh, who is yet to play a Pro Kabaddi match. He was a part of Iran's Kabaddi team, which clinched the silver medal at the 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters and gold medal at the Asian Games 2018.

Mohammad Nabibakhsh has 31 raid points and 13 tackle points in international Kabaddi matches. He also brings a variety of skill sets on to the mat and will be crucial as an all-rounder in this season.

While raiding, he could play a role of the secondary raider and can also contribute as a defender, in the company of Baldev Singh and Jeeva Kumar. It will be interesting to see how Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh justifies his price tag and live up to the expectations of his team management as well as Bengal fans.

Left Cover: Viraj Vishnu Langde

Viraj might play as a left cover.
Viraj might play as a left cover.

Viraj was part of Dabang Delhi K.C. squad in Pro Kabaddi season 5 and 6. In season 5, he earned a constant place in the starting seven. However, in season 6, he did not get enough game time to prove himself. Overall, he has scored 26 tackle points in 22 games.

Viraj was a part of the Maharashtra team that clinched the Senior National Championships in 2017-18 and made a big mark with his contributions on the defensive front. Viraj is known for his assists during the dashes and holds and can prove to make a difference on his own with his diving knee hold as well as dashes.

He is yet to prove himself on the big stage and will look to exhibit his skill in Pro Kabaddi as a mature player. Bengal Warriors could use him as a left cover in the upcoming PKL season.

Bengal Warriors have also signed the services of Vijin Thangadurai as his replacement who is a right cover defender. Since Jeeva Kumar can play on both sides, it will allow Viraj to play without any pressure that can improve his performance as well.

Left In: Maninder Singh

Maninder Singh's has a big responsibility on his shoulders.
Maninder Singh's has a big responsibility on his shoulders.

Maninder Singh started his PKL career in the inaugural season as a part of the Jaipur Pink Panthers franchise which won the trophy. However, he picked up a spate of injuries and did not play the next three PKL seasons.

Maninder made his comeback in PKL season 5 as he featured for the Bengal Warriors. In that season, he picked up 192 points from 21 matches and helped his team to qualify for the semifinal.

For the next season, Maninder was retained by the Bengal Warriors. He did not let down the expectations of the team management and fans as he notched up 206 points from 22 matches.

A hand touch specialist, Maninder has 526 raid points in 59 matches at an average of 8.92 points. He has scored 44.44% of Bengal Warriors' raid points since season 5 (396 raid points out of 891 raid points).

These stats make him an integral part of Bengal Warriors' offensive department. He will lead their raiding attack in PKL 7 and will undoubtedly be Bengal's go-to-man.

Left Corner: Rinku Narwal

Rinku Narwal (R) will turn out for the Bengal Warriors.
Rinku Narwal (R) will turn out for the Bengal Warriors.

Hailing from Haryana, Rinku Narwal represented Puneri Paltan in Pro Kabaddi season 5 and 6. He played 13 games in season 5 and 15 games in season 6. He has scored 41 tackle points at an average of 1.28 tackle points in 28 games.

A corner defender, Rinku Narwal will feel that he finally has the chance to cement his place in the squad after two silent seasons with Puneri Paltan.

Although his numbers do not speak much about his talent, his approach and skills on the mat make him a strong contender for Bengal Warriors' left corner position. He put up an impressive performance for his old team Puneri Paltan in the last season where he assisted the lead defenders superbly.

Rinku is known to execute dives and thigh holds with perfection which breaks down the raiders' momentum and will be key to support the likes of Jeeva Kumar and Baldev Singh.

Follow Sportskeeda to get the PKL Points Table, PKL Stats, PKL Results, PKL Schedule, Latest News and Updates.

Quick Links

Edited by Prasen Moudgal