Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Top 5 ankle-hold specialists

The job of a defender in kabaddi does not hold any kind of prestige, they are most often associated with showcasing brute strength to pin down the otherwise swift raiders and hence it is often a not-so appreciated task.

However, for the defenders on the mat, to execute those skills, it requires a lot of effort. One that can actually power his team across the victory line, and in that context, it may be noticed that the talented players often go about doing their job quite thanklessly, not receiving the kind of appreciation garnered by the raiders.

Nonetheless, in this article, we focus on one of the most talked about defensive moves, the ankle hold. The ankle hold is usually initiated by the corner defenders on the mat and can be one where they inflict a single ankle-hold or double ankle-hold depending upon their reach and timing.

Essentially a form of a solo tackle, this kind of a hold requires pure strength from the defenders for it is about executing force against the momentum of the raider.

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#1: Surender Nada (Haryana Steelers)

Currently, on top of the points tally for the most amount of tackle points, 36 to be precise, Surender Nada can very easily be adjudged as the ankle-hold specialist in the kabaddi circles with a success rate higher than all the others in his league. Playing in the left corner position, he waits for the approaching raiders to stretch their leg past the black line in order to claim the bonus point or grab a toe touch and then strikes at the opportune moment.

Once within the grip of his ankle hold, it is almost impossible for the raider to escape, given the kind of brute force that Nada enforces. Such is his prowess, that he is able to bring down one of the most experienced campaigners, Anup Kumar, a toe-touch specialist with his hold, as was evident in the match against U Mumba when he was pitted against his former skipper.

#2: Amit Hooda (Tamil Thalaivas)

Amit Hooda executes an ankle hold on Rishank Devadiga

The defensive stalwart had the best season in the last edition when he delivered the most number of successful tackles, 47 in total. In the fifth season, he has been pretty much average with his performances on the mat so far but what has set him apart is his trademark display of ankle holds. In every match so far, the Tamil Thalaiva recruit has executed at least one special ankle hold to effect which has rendered the opposition raider hapless.

One of the best instances or spectacle of the hold by the aggressive, young defender was seen in the match against Dabang Delhi when he pounced on Rohit Baliyan in a match that went down to the wire. Thus, watch out for Amit Hooda, for you never know when he might spring into form and one can be treated to a host of ankle holds from his end.

#3: Ran Singh (Bengal Warriors)

Ran Singh in action against Ajay Thakur of the Tamil Thalaivas

The all-rounder has been playing in the capacity of a corner defender for the Bengal Warriors and has so far succeeded in putting a formidable wall against the rival raiders alongside the skipper, Surjeet. Ran Singh has a plethora of skills in his bag ranging from the back holds, dashes and thigh holds, but in this edition, he has been inflicting the ankle hold to perfection especially when the raiders are on the hunt for a bonus point.

The best spectacle of this move came in during the match against the Bengaluru Bulls, when Ran Singh sent star raider Rohit Kumar packing to the bench with a brilliant hold from the left corner. Another instance came forth just last night in the match against the Tamil Thalavas when Ran Singh pounced on the tall Ajay Thakur to stop in his tracks with an ankle hold while the rest of the defence came in from behind to support!

#4: Abozar Mighani (Gujarat Fortunegiants)

Abozar is second on the leader board for the most number of tackle points

The Iranian import has been stellar in the right corner position for the Gujarat Fortunegiants, second only to Surender Nada on the leaderboard with 36 tackle points to his credit. Many of these points have come in due to successful ankle hold attempts, particularly a solo effort from his end for he specializes with a diving double ankle-hold on the raiders. There have been many examples of the same, the classic one coming forth in the match against the Jaipur Pink Panthers when young gun Nitin Rawal succumbed to Mighani's brute force and had to make his way to the bench.

#5: Vishal Bhardwaj (Telugu Titans)

Vishal initiates an ankle hold in the match against the Bengaluru Bulls

Guarding the left corner position for the Telugu Titans, such is his prowess with the ankle-hold that the opposition raiders think twice before attempting a bonus point underneath his watchful eyes. He was particularly on point in the match against the Bengaluru Bulls when he restricted bonus specialist Ajay in his tracks by unleashing the trademark hold.

Thus, Vishal has become a major force to reckon with in terms of the defence and will continue to shine through the course of the tournament if he sticks to his strengths.