The fifth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League is all set to start on July 28 and will for the very first time, it will feature 12 teams from across 11 states in the country. The teams will face off against each other in a truly exciting format that will see the teams pitted in two zones, with the top six qualifying for the playoffs.
The teams sport completely new looks following an auction that saw the pack reshuffled once again and all teams start on an equal footing, with the star players all evenly distributed among the 12 competitors.
There have been many great teams that have taken the league by storm and have established themselves as one of the best to have ever stepped on to the Pro Kabaddi mat. However, arguably the best team ever to have been assembled is the U Mumba side from Season 2. They were a perfectly balanced side, with versatile players all at the peak of their powers, led by the best captain in the business.
In this article, let’s take a look where the team that defeated the Bengaluru Bulls in the final of Season 2 is now!
#1 Anup Kumar
‘Captain Cool’ Anup Kumar was one of the seven players retained by the franchises ahead of the Season 5 auction and it is no surprise that U Mumba opted to keep him in their lineup for the fifth edition in a row. He is one of the most prolific raiders in the league’s short history and is renowned for his leadership skills as well.
He is an expert at the art of scoring the bonus point and his toe touch is also quite legendary. The Season 1 MVP, he is famed for his composure as well and has led the U Mumba team to three PKL finals. He also captained the Indian team when they lifted the inaugural Kabaddi World Cup last year.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi League 2017 : 5 most powerful players in the league
#2 Surender Nada
The left corner man was at the peak of his prowess in Season 2, forming a deadly combination with Mohit Chhillar that snapped up every opposition raider in the blink of an eye. He averages almost three tackle points per game and has 10 High 5s to his name as well – quite an enviable record.
This season, he will play for the Haryana Steelers, after he was chosen as the side’s priority pick ahead of the auction. He netted a sum of Rs 51.15 lakhs after his retention and will look to take his side to the playoffs in their first season.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Where are India's World Cup winning stars now?
#3 Mohit Chhillar
Who better than Mohit himself to follow Nada in this list, given how the inseparable duo is one of the greatest ever pairings in the league. Mohit has some impressive numbers himself – 170 tackle points, which includes 15 High 5s.
Like Nada, Chhillar will also turn out in defence for the Haryana Steelers, with the duo having been christened as the ‘Dhaakad Boys’ by the franchise. After being the highest paid player in the previous auction, the season 5 one saw him go for a bargain price of Rs 46.50 lakhs.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: 5 players who came from humble backgrounds and made it big
#4 Jeeva Kumar
The 36-year-old is one of the most experienced players in the league and one of the most versatile too - comfortable as a right as well as left cover. He played the first four seasons with U Mumba, gathering a total of 111 tackle points.
At the auction, he was bought for a whopping Rs 52 lakhs by the UP Yoddha, who have some truly formidable names in their lineup themselves.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi 2017 Season 5 : Five players who faded away
#5 Rishank Devadiga
The raider has evolved tremendously over the last four seasons and from a shy, young kid on the block, he has transformed into the complete package in his four years with U Mumba. He was named the best raider in the league in Season 3 and he averages nearly five raid points per match over the four editions.
He will join Jeeva at the UP Yoddha and will look to take his side to the title in their first season itself. For support, he will have some truly stellar names in the form of Nitin Tomar, Rajesh Narwal and Jeeva.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi 2017 Season 5: Five teams with the strongest defence
#6 Vishal Mane
The right cover defender from Maharashtra had a Season 4 to forget but when he was a part of the U Mumba side in Season 2, he was arguably the best defender in his position in the competition. Mane is renowned for his ferocious body blocks, which have seen him pick up a total of four High 5s.
For Season 5, he will join the double defending champions Patna Pirates and will look to regain his old form. He was bought for a bargain price of Rs 36.50 lakhs by the Pirates and has the perfect opportunity to clinch his second PKL title.
Also read: Pro Kabaddi 2017 Season 5: Five teams with the weakest defence
#7 Shabeer Bappu
The PKL has been quite a journey for the veteran raider and a successful one too. He has the distinction of being the only player to have played in all four finals so far but has won just the solitary one with U Mumba in Season 2.
He finished runners-up with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 4 and in this season, he will return to U Mumba after being bought for Rs 45 lakhs. With Anup Kumar and Kashiling Adake in tow, can he reach his fifth final?
Also read: Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Teams with most wins in PKL history
