Pro Kabaddi League 2018: Top 5 youngsters who excelled in their debut season

Siddharth Desai was the best of the debutants from this season
Siddharth Desai was the best of the debutants from this season

#3 Naveen - Haryana Steelers

Naveen Kumar outshined ever Monu Goyat and Kandola at times
Naveen Kumar outshined ever Monu Goyat and Kandola at times

At the start of the season, the whispers surrounding the Haryana Steelers team was all about the form of skipper Monu Goyat. However, with the Steelers skipper failing to live up to potential, Vikas Kandola was thrust into the role of the lead raider.

However, the story of the season for Haryana was the emergence of young Naveen, who was only making his debut but had made a name for his ability to deliver in crunch situations.

Having missed out from the opening encounter, Naveen was drafted into the starting seven for the game against Gujarat, when he camouflaged Kandola's poor show to pick up six points, including a tackle point as well.

Yet, Naveen took the league by storm a few games later as he picked up a whopping 15 raid points and two tackle points to finish with 17 points against the Jaipur Pink Panthers that cemented his place in the starting seven.

Through the season, Naveen played his role to perfection as a tertiary raider and a supporting defender as he finished the season with 88 raid points and 14 tackle points from 21 games.

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