'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Pro Kabaddi League fever is upon as the sixth season action kicks off on October 7, 2018 in Chennai in the first leg to be conducted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The twelve franchises in the league will go toe-to-toe for a chance to capture the championship in the grand finale which will take place at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai, Maharashtra on January 5, 2019.
In the entire history of the Pro Kabaddi League, only three franchises have won the championship - Jaipur Pink Panthers, U Mumba and Patna Pirates. Patna Pirates have been the most successful franchise, winning it consecutively for the past three seasons.
Patna Pirates have built a formidable squad around the star raider of the league, Pardeep Narwal as they retained a total of four players going into the auction including Pardeep Narwal - Jawahar Dagar, Jaideep and Manish Kumar.
We take a look at the key players for the Patna Pirates this season as they aim to win the title again.
#5 Surender Singh
Surender Singh started his Pro Kabaddi League career with the Puneri Paltan in season 2 but was primarily a squad player for the franchise. He played another season for the Paltan before moving on to the U Mumba franchise for the fourth season, where he was sparingly used off the bench.
Singh finally broke through in the fifth season with debutante franchise UP Yoddha, where along with Rishank Devadiga and Nitin Tomar, he found his footing in the raiding unit. The raider scored a total of 68 raid points with a couple of Super Tackles and Super Raids to his credit.
Patna Pirates signed him for a modest price of 12.25 Lakhs and he could prove to be a bargain find for the franchise with his ability on the mat.
#4 Jaideep
Jaideep made his debut for the Patna Pirates last season and turned out to be a revelation in the defence for the title-winning side. He was a crucial component of the Pirates' defence as he scored a lot of points with his exploits on the left corner of the mat.
Jaideep scored a tally of 71 tackle points as he was tied for the third spot in the most number of tackle points along with Telugu Titans' Vishal Bhardwaj. He garnered five Super Tackles and five High 5s in the season which proved his credentials on the mat.
He was rightfully retained by the franchise for an amount of 55 Lakhs and will again be tipped to deliver as he marshals the defence for the Pirates this year.
#3 Kuldeep Singh
Kuldeep Singh made his debut in the Pro Kabaddi League with the Jaipur Pink Panthers and has slowly developed into a good defensive all-rounder on the mat. He played two seasons for the Jaipur Pink Panthers before he was signed by the Patna Pirates for the fourth season.
Singh scored 42 points in fifteen matches for the Pirates as they went all the way to win the title that year. Kuldeep was picked up by U Mumba last season and was a contributor in both defence and attack for the side as the franchise had a young side.
Singh is back into the Patna Pirates' roster after they signed him for 22 Lakhs and will be utilized well by the coach in both departments as they build a strong squad around Pardeep Narwal.
#2 Deepak Narwal
Deepak Narwal made his debut with the Patna Pirates in the second season of the Pro Kabaddi League and had an impressive season when he top-scored for the Pirates with 61 points. He was also a part of the title-winning Patna Pirates in the third season but was sparingly used after the rise of Pardeep Narwal.
Narwal had a season with the Dabang Delhi KC franchise but his breakout season was last year when he was signed by Bengal Warriors. He scored 87 points last year when he combined with Maninder Singh as they led the side to the playoffs.
Deepak Narwal was signed by the Patna Pirates for a price of 57 Lakhs and will be deployed as the second raider alongside Pardeep Narwal. He will hope to continue his form for the second season running and play a significant part in the Pirates' campaign.
#1 Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal needs no introduction really. The 'Dubki King' has risen over the past three seasons to become the most lethal raider in the game leading the Patna Pirates to a hat-trick of titles.
Narwal scored a massive 369 raid points last season smashing records as the season progressed which included 18 Super Raids and 19 Super 10s to his name. He scored an unprecedented 34 points in a single match creating a new record.
Narwal will be the key player for the Patna Pirates as they aim to win a fourth title in a row and is a top contender for the best raider award right from the onset of the league in October.
