Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5:  Tamil Thalaivas predicted starting line-up

Any side that has the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in its ranks is bound to have an edge in big match situations. The Master Blaster has been there and done that multiple times in crunch situations. As a co-owner of Tamil Thalaivas, he will no doubt participate in certain team meetings and guide the younger players.

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The Thalaivas will make their debut in the Pro Kabaddi League this season. But that’s no reason to believe that they can’t strive for success in their very first year. They have all the ammunition to do so. On that note, let’s take a look at the seven who could possibly start for them.

#1 Ajay Thakur

Having scored a massive 327 points in 58 matches so far, selecting Ajay Thakur to captain this side was a no-brainer. A supremely athletic raider with great reach, Thakur will be keen to prove that he isn’t just a big game player. In the past, he’s disappeared in matches that you’d usually expect him to shine. This time around, if he fails to show up, the Thalaivas could suffer an early exit from the competition.

#2 Amit Hooda

Hooda's rise to the top has been meteoric

From obscurity to greatness, Amit Hooda’s rise to the top has been nothing short of meteoric. While he has been a part of Pro Kabaddi since season 2, it was at Jaipur Pink Panthers last season that he came to life. Positioned at the right corner, Hooda will instil doubt and fear in the minds of even the best raiders in the league. If he can remain consistent, there’s no predicting what he can achieve in season 5.

#3 K Prapanjan

Prapanjan was a part of U Mumba in season 2 and 3 but got hardly any opportunities to showcase his skills due to stiff competition. At Telugu Titans, he was once again sparsely used, in season 4. Over the course of three seasons, Prapanjan has endured numerous struggles but at Tamil Thalaivas, he will finally have the chance to put his skills as a raider to good use. He will act as Ajay Thakur’s right-hand man.

#4 C Arun

C Arun is one of the most experienced players in the side

C Arun is the kind of player every coach dreams of having on his side. Over the course of three seasons, while Arun hasn’t taken the league by storm, he hasn't disappointed either. With 33 matches under his belt, Arun is among the most experienced players in the Tamil Thalaivas team. He will play as a left cover for the southern outfit.

#5 Vijin Thangadurai

For years, Vijin has shone at the domestic circuit but he’s failed to replicate this form for his teams in the Pro Kabaddi League. He was part of the Patna Pirates title winning side in season 4 but wasn’t part of the core group of contributors. He chipped in with just two tackle points. Vijin is capable of making the right cover position his own, however, he needs to make sure nerves do not get the better of him.

#6 Dong Geon Lee

Dong Geon Lee will start for the Thalaivas as the third raider

Probably the only foreign recruit who can stake his claim in the starting line up is Korean, Dong Geon Lee. The 21-year-old raider was one of the best players for Korea at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup where they inflicted a surprise defeat on India. At the World Cup, he scored 18 important raid points and will start for Tamil Thalaivas as the third raider. He has the ability to cause a lot of chaos in the opposition half.

#7 Anil Kumar

Just one season old, Anil Kumar couldn’t have asked for a better team to continue his Pro Kabaddi career. He had an impressive debut season with Dabang Delhi last time around. Anil was part of nine matches and scored an impressive 16 points. He will occupy the challenging left corner position, with the in-form Amit Hooda manning the other corner. If both of them click, the raiders at Thalaivas can solely focus on their raiding rather than helping out needlessly in defence.