In a sport like Kabaddi, the word “I” does not exist. As a raider, you might execute a stupendous super raid but seconds later, if you aren’t attentive while defending, your previous efforts will go down the drain.
This is a sport where duos are extremely noticeable. Look at it like a well-oiled weighing scale, when one side gets too heavy and tense, the other side has to push through to ensure equilibrium is maintained.
On that note, let’s take a look at 5 iconic duos who together, have made a long lasting impact in the Pro Kabaddi League.
#5 Mohit Chhillar and Surender Nada
For the past four seasons, Mohit and Surender have stood attentive on the extreme corners of the mat. Yet they’ve displayed unmatchable chemistry. Together, they’ve won numerous games by thriving in crunch situations.
While Mohit is still only 24 years old, Nada is 30. This combination of youth and experience has served them well at U Mumba, Benagluru Bulls and will continue to do so at the Haryana Steelers this time around.
Last season, together, they picked up a combined total of 80 tackle points, testament to the fact that when Mohit and Surender are in co-operation, they function at their peak. The two best corners in the league will be eager to put behind them a disappointing season 4.
#4 Rahul Chaudhari and Nilesh Salunke
Rahul Chaudhari and Nilesh Salunke have a weird relationship. On the mat, they may not come across as the best of buddies, yet the two have formed a solid partnership over the past few seasons. Two raiders with completely different skill sets, Chaudhari and Salunke complement each other like no other duo.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Five players who look set to have a career defining season
The Telugu Titans ensured he remains an integral part of the playing seven, retaining him for a massive Rs.49 lakh. Testament to the management’s belief that they expect Rahul and Nilesh to continue to lead in the raiding department despite the arrival of veteran Rakesh Kumar.
Chaudhari usually does the heavy lifting but had it not been for Salunke’s crucial 61 points, the Titans wouldn’t have reached far in season 4.
#3 Bajirao Hodage and Nilesh Shinde
“Kabaddi is incomplete without partnerships, there is no game without it”, Bajirao Hodage couldn’t have expressed it any more bluntly. Alongside Nilesh Shinde, they form one of the most underrated duos in the league.
They started off together at Bengal Warriors but Bajirao was then transferred to the Patna Pirates where he won the title. They experienced contrasting seasons as Nilesh found himself at the bottom of the points table with Bengal.
A season later, he’s now back with his veteran partner in crime, this time at Dabang Delhi. This duo operates in unique fashion, they create ideal situations for the other to execute a tackle, depending on their position on the mat. At times Nilesh coerces the raider into tight spaces before Bajirao completes the kill. At times, it’s the other way around.
#2 Vishal Mane and Jeeva Kumar
Two of the best cover defenders around, Vishal Mane and Jeeva Kumar were once part of a U Mumba squad notorious for being misers on the mat. When a team has two rock-solid covers, it stifles a raider into spaces that he doesn’t like operating in.
Both of them have a wide torso and a low centre of gravity – making it ideal for them to execute block tackles at regular intervals. Their collective efforts bore fruits especially in season 2 as U Mumba deservedly won the title.
Jeeva and Vishal were at the heart of the side’s success. Disciplined, determined and dogged – the both of them formed an admirable partnership for two memorable seasons before Mane left for the Bengal Warriors. In Jeeva’s absence, Vishal found it difficult to replicate his form.
#1 Rakesh Kumar and Anup Kumar
It’s not every day that Anup Kumar terms one of his colleagues as his idol. In Rakesh Kumar, Anup found an ideal player to look up to in the early days of his career. The two have the longest experience of playing together; Anup began playing alongside Rakesh from 2006, when he made his debut for the Indian team under Rakesh who was then the captain of the squad.
Working his way up the ladder from being the vice-captain of India and eventually the captain, Anup always had Rakesh alongside him during the good and bad times. When they played together at U Mumba, it was a sight to marvel at.
With no captaincy responsibilities, the more experienced Rakesh often found himself being calmed down by Anup. Life has come to a full circle for these two. They’ve won it all yet continue to display hunger on the mat.
