The fifth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League is all set to start on July 28 and promises to be bigger and better than ever, with four new teams and an exciting format that will see nearly 140 matches played across three months. After an auction that saw Rs 47 crore spent, the teams have been formed and are raring to go.
The top players from India will be taking part in the competition, including those who were part of the team that lifted the Kabaddi World Cup last year, defeating Iran in the final. Let’s take a look where the players from that team are now in the new season!
#1 Anup Kumar
The captain of the India team will, for the fifth season in a row, be leading the U Mumba side. Known as ‘Captain Cool’, the raider is one of the most experienced players in the competition and took his side to the title in Season 2.
He is renowned for his signature move – the toe touch, where he picks up touch points by using his agility and reflexes to touch the defender’s foot with a sharp kick. Over the four seasons, he has 11 super 10s and averages a decent 6.61 raid points per match.
#2 Ajay Thakur
He was the star of the show in the final as he ran riot against the Iranian defense and won India the World Cup trophy. The veteran raider from Himachal Pradesh will turn out for the Tamil Thalaivas this season and will look to lead the new side to the playoffs.
The 31-year-old has played for the Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan in the last four seasons and also has a gold medal to his name from the 2014 Asian Games. Thakur is the master of the running hand touch, where he uses his tall frame to reach out and touch defenders while running across the mat.
#3 Deepak Niwas Hooda
Hooda has been one of the finds of the Pro Kabaddi League over the past four seasons, having emerged as a talented youngster to now become a finished article. The Puneri Paltan side showed great faith in him, retaining his services for the new season and letting veterans like Manjeet Chhillar and Ajay Thakur go.
At just 23 years of age, Hooda is one of the best all-rounders in the league and will lead the Pune side in Season 5.
Related: Pro Kabaddi League Season 5: It is a privilege to play in Sachin Tendulkar's team, says Ajay Thakur
#4 Jasvir Singh
The raider is one of the biggest fan favourites in the Pro Kabaddi League and rightly so, given his fired-up nature on the mat and his skills. He was part of the Jaipur Pink Panthers team that won the title in Season 1 and remained an integral part of their lineup till the fourth edition, where they lost to the Patna Pirates in the final.
He is renowned for his scorpion kick, which has helped him score many a point over the years. Once again, he will be turning out for the Jaipur side in the coming season after he was bought by the team in the player auction.
#5 Pardeep Narwal
20-year-old Pardeep, at this very young age, is already one of the best raiders in the world and has the magical ability to turn a match on its head with his exceptional abilities. He was the Most Valuable Player in Season 4 after taking his Patna team to their second PKL title in a row.
He will turn out for the Pirates once again in the new season after he was retained before the auction.
#6 Rahul Chaudhari
Known as the ‘Poster Boy of Indian Kabaddi’, Chaudhari has been the highest point scorer in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League and remains the only player to amass over 500 points over the four seasons.
Ahead of Season 5, the raider was retained by the Telugu Titans and recently, he was also revealed as his side’s captain going into the new season. With verteran Rakesh Kumar by his side, he will look to take the Hyderabad side to their maiden PKL title.
Related: Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Rahul Chaudhari confirmed as Telugu Titans captain
#7 Dharmaraj Cheralathan
One of the oldest players in the competition, the 42-year-old remains one of the best defenders in the sport. He was part of the Patna side last year that won the title and before that, he turned out for the Bengaluru Bulls and Telugu Titans.
This season, he will be a part of the Puneri Paltan after his services were purchased by the side in the auction. He will bring loads of experience to the team and will certainly play a leader’s role on the mat with Deepak Hooda.
#8 Mohit Chhillar
The right corner defender made his name with U Mumba, where he won the title in Season 2 and reached the final in the next season. He formed a formidable partnership with Surender Nada on the corners, which helped India in the World Cup too.
This season, he will take the mat for the Haryana Steelers and was also a part of the India team that won the gold medal at the South Asian Games in Guwahati last year.
#9 Surender Nada
Nada, with Mohit, is one half of the most iconic pairing in the PKL and has been in the same team as his partner throughout the four seasons. Three seasons at U Mumba, followed by another with the Bulls, saw Nada win the title in Season 2.
He was chosen as a priority pick in the auction by the Haryana Steelers and with Mohit also a part of the same side, the JSW Group-owned team have a strong base to build upon.
#10 Surjeet
Another member of the star-studded U Mumba side from Season 2, Services man Surjeet is arguably the best cover defender in the business. In the 26 matches he has played in two seasons, he has a total of 86 points – a brilliant return for a defender.
This season, he will turn out for the Bengal Warriors, who look to be one of the most genuine title contenders going into Season 5.
#11 Kiran Parmar
The all-rounder was part of the Bengaluru Bulls side in Season 1 but suffered a horrific injury after which he has not been a part of any side in the Pro Kabaddi League. He made it to the India team in the World Cup and played his role as a substitute player.
However, he was not a part of the player list for the auction for the latest season and turned for Gujarat in the Nationals last year.
#12 Manjeet Chhillar
He is another huge fan favourite who is bound to be one of the key players in the latest edition of the PKL. He has earlier been a part of the Bengaluru Bulls and the Puneri Paltan, winning the MVP award in Season 2 and the Best Defender award in Season 1.
The all-rounder will now turn out for the Jaipur side in the coming season and with Jasvir, Navneet Gautam and Somvir Shekhar a part of the lineup as well, the Pink Panthers have some real quality and experience in their team.
Related: Pro Kabaddi League Season 5: A captain should always be an all-rounder, says Manjeet Chhillar
#13 Nitin Tomar
The raider has just two seasons of Pro Kabaddi experience under his belt but hit the headlines after the auction when he was picked up by the UP Yoddha for a sum of Rs 93 lakh in the Season 5 auction.
He was a key component of the World Cup-winning side and with Rishank Devadiga in the same team in the PKL, the side from UP have a terrific attack in place.
#14 Sandeep Narwal
Nicknamed ‘the Beast’, the all-rounder is known for his ferocious tackles in defence and is a handy raider too when called upon. He has plied his trade with the Patna Pirates for the first three seasons and with the Telugu Titans in Season 4, winning the Best Defender award in Season 3.
This season, he will join forces with Deepak Hooda and look to take Puneri Paltan to their first-ever title.
