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The seventh week of VIVO Pro Kabaddi 2019 witnessed Bengaluru Bulls win three out of four matches at home in the Bengaluru leg in Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. They became the most successful team after Dabang Delhi K.C. in home leg outings with three back to back victories.
Bengaluru Bulls lost their opening encounter to Gujarat Fortune Giants (23-32). However, they booked three victories in a row by defeating Tamil Thalaivas (33-27), Patna Pirates (40-39), and Telugu Titans (40-39) returning to their home in Bengaluru after two seasons.
U Mumba, UP Yoddha, Haryana Steelers, and Dabang Delhi K.C. remained unbeaten in Bengaluru. Gujarat Fortune Giants and Telugu Titans had one win apiece to their name.
Jaipur Pink Panthers, Patna Pirates, Bengal Warriors, Tamil Thalaivas, and Puneri Paltan remained winless in the Bengaluru leg.
Let's take a look at the top five defenders from the Bengaluru leg of VIVO Pro Kabaddi 2019.
#5 Sandeep Narwal (U Mumba)
Matches Played - 2, Total Tackle Points - 7
Sandeep Narwal has shown consistency in his performances thus far for U Mumba. He has remained brilliant with his back holds and frontal blocks with the display of sheer strength this season.
Sandeep scored three tackle points out of three attempts versus Jaipur Pink Panthers. He supported Fazel Atrachali brilliantly in the defense with his breath-taking blocks courtesy of which U Mumba defeated Jaipur Pink Panthers in a one-sided encounter (47-21).
Sandeep scored four tackle points in his next match against Puneri Paltan as the top defender from U Mumba. He achieved them in five tackle attempts with just a single unsuccessful tackle. Both teams ended their match in a thrilling tie (33-33).
Sandeep Narwal scored 31 tackle points in 13 matches till the Bengaluru leg. He has scored a single High-5 thus far.
#4 Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba)
Matches Played - 2, Tackle Points - 9
Fazel Atrachali wasn't in form in the first few matches but regained momentum in the Bengaluru leg as the 'Sultan' rose to the occasion in the most critical situations. He scored his first High-5 of the season in the Bengaluru leg.
In the match against Jaipur Pink Panthers, Fazel silenced the plethora of raiding talents from Jaipur Pink Panthers with his brilliant diving holds. He scored six tackle points in seven attempts with just a single unsuccessful tackle. His heroics led U Mumba to a victory against Jaipur Pink Panthers (47-21).
U Mumba faced Puneri Paltan where Fazel scored three tackle points in what was a neck to neck affair. Three out of his five tackle attempts remained successful as U Mumba and Puneri Paltan ended their match on a thrilling tie (33-33).
#3 Saurabh Nandal (Bengaluru Bulls)
Matches Played - 4, Total Tackle Points - 13
In his debut season, Saurabh Nandal has emerged as one of the finds for Bengaluru Bulls. He has been impressive with his diving holds and formed a decent partnership with Amit Sheoran in the corner defence.
He was the lone warrior for the team in the match against Gujarat Fortune Giants as he starred with eight tackle points to his name. He could not manage to score a point against Tamil Thalaivas but scored four tackle points versus Patna Pirates. He also provided decent assists in his encounter against Telugu Titans with a single tackle point.
Saurabh has been a sensational performer for Bulls right from his debut campaign. He scored 36 tackle points in 14 matches up until the Bengaluru leg. He has 4 High-5s to his name.
#2 Mahender Singh (Bengaluru Bulls)
Matches Played - 4, Total Tackle Points - 13
Mahender Singh emerged as a standout defender for Bengaluru Bulls as he has led the defence on his own. He remained consistent in the Bngaluru leg with an High-5 to his name.
Mahender Singh scored four tackle points in seven total tackle attempts against Gujarat Fortune Giants with a single super-tackle. In the next encounter, Mahender Singh could only manage to score one tackle point against Tamil Thalaivas.
He scored a brilliant High-5 in the third match against Patna Pirates scoring five tackle points in eight attempts. He went on to score three tackle points against Telugu Titans in his final outing of the home leg.
Mahender Singh scored 44 tackle points in 13 matches till the Bengaluru leg with 3 High-5s to his name thus far.
#1 Nitesh Kumar (UP Yoddha)
Matches Played - 2, Total Tackle Points - 13
The skipper of UP Yoddha, Nitesh Kumar announced his arrival in style in the Bengaluru leg with two back to back High-5s. He led his team to victories as an emerging leader for the side.
Nitesh Kumar scored seven tackle points against Bengal Warriors in his first match of Bengaluru leg. He stopped the brilliant raiding trio of Bengal in Maninder, Prapanjan, and Nabibakhsh and with two breath-taking super tackles. UP Yoddha avenged their loss against Bengal Warriors (32-29).
Nitesh once again scored a High-5 against Patna Pirates in six total tackle attempts. He also achieved a super tackle of Pardeep Narwal in his do or die raid that enforced the all-out and extended the lead for UP Yoddha. UP managed to beat Patna Pirates (29-41) in a one-sided encounter.
Nitesh scored 35 tackle points in 13 matches till Bengaluru leg with 2 High-5s to his name.
