Pro Kabaddi 2019: 3 foreign defenders to watch out for

Kabaddi has evolved immensely over the years ever since the commencement of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014. It has been amazing to see how the sport has emerged from our Indian soil and has been successful in making a huge impact in various parts of the globe.

Iran proved that they were here to stay after they won the 2018 Asian Games, beating favorites India in the semi-finals. While it was shocking, that was a revolutionary match for kabaddi as the tournament unraveled some prodigious talents.

For Pro Kabaddi 2019, which is all ready to begin from the 20th of July, we will undoubtedly witness some top-flight foreign players featuring for various teams of the league. Players such as Fazel Atrachali, Jang Kun Lee, Abozar Mighani, Abolfazl Maghsoudlou and many more are all set to prove their mettle in the upcoming season of the league.

Here, we have a look at the three foreign defenders who can be expected to enjoy a fantastic season in the 12th edition of the league.

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#3 Young Chang Ko - U Mumba

Young Chang Ko (L) is seen dashing the raider out of the court

Cover defender Young Chang Ko, who is from South Korea, made a debut in the fifth season of the league for the Bengal Warriors. However, he did not have the best of seasons as he finished with just 2 points in a total of 14 matches.

Shifting to the Jaipur Pink Panthers for season 6, Chang Ko lifted his game and notched up 15 points in 13 matches. Contributing from the cover position, the Korean played an excellent supporting role while also making some useful tackles of his own.

From the season seven auctions, his services were procured by U Mumba for ₹10 lakhs. In company of Fazel Atrachali, who will be on the left corner, this left-cover defender can certainly lift the side with his accuracy.

#2 Abozar Mohajermighani - Telugu Titans

Abozar is one of the most lethal defenders of Kabaddi

Abozar Mighani, the beast from Iran is certain to make a mark in the seventh season of the Pro Kabaddi League. He made a cracking debut in the fifth season of the league with the Gujarat Fortune Giants and helped his team to the finals with 66 points from 24 matches.

For the sixth season, Gujarat surprisingly released him as the Telugu Titans bought his services for the sixth season of PKL at a price of ₹76 lakhs, which also made him one of the costliest foreign players ever.

Along with Vishal Bhardwaj in the left corner, Abozar was one of the bright sparks in the Titans' dismal campaign as he finished with 56 points from 21 matches. Released into the auction pool for season seven, he was retained back by the Titans and will yet again look to form a potent partnership with Bhardwaj.

#1 Fazel Atrachali - U Mumba

Fazel Atrachali will be the 'X-factor' for U Mumba

U Mumba once again played their cards well and retained the stalwart Fazel Atrachali for the seventh season of the Pro Kabaddi League. His services were procured by Mumbai last season for a massive total of ₹1 crore, which also made him the costliest foreign player in the history of the league.

Atrachali, on the back of impressive shows with Iran, made his PKL debut with U Mumba in season two but could not get a lot of game time. After two seasons with U Mumba, including a trophy-winning campaign in season 2, Atrachali shifted to the Patna Pirates.

Also known as the Iranian 'Wall of Defense', Fazel literally knows it all. Be it back holds, dashes, killer ankle holds and thigh holds, he makes it all look like a mere child's play.

He has played in the PKL finale four times out of which he has bagged the trophy twice, in season 2 and season 4. Overall, in five seasons of the league, Atrachali has 235 points from 79 matches.

A brilliant player that he is, Atrachali is likely to captain U Mumba yet again and will be keen to form a potent partnership with Sandeep Narwal, who is the latest addition to the squad from the right corner.