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#10 UP Yoddha
Defending Options: Nitesh Kumar, Sachin Kumar, Amit, Narender, Mohsen Maghsoudlou, Aashish Nagar, Gurdeep, Arkam Shaikh
The U.P Yoddha have a brilliant raiding unit but their defense isn't too strong this season. This comes even after having the best defender last season, Nitesh Kumar. Apart from Nitesh who plays in the right corner, U.P don't have too much experience in their defense.
Sachin Kumar is expected to play in the left corner position while Amit and Narender, the defending all-rounders, are expected to play in the cover positions. Iranian Mohsen Maghsoudlou too can chip in with tackle points.
Despite having options in their defense, they lack the experience to make it big and with no calm head to steer them the right way, this young unit doesn't seem too intimidating.
#9 Patna Pirates
Defending Options: Surender Nada, Jaideep, Neeraj Kumar, Mahendra Choudhary, Jawahar, Bintu Narwal, Hadi Oshtorak, Ravinder, Vikas Jaglan
The Patna Pirates have always been a side that has revolved around their raiders and this season too, they have assembled a defense which is just good enough to support their raiders. Surender Nada, the ankle-hold specialist will play in the left corner and this will bolster their defense.
What has puzzled many is to why they bought back Jaideep, another successful left-corner when they have Nada. It might be due to the reason that they want a backup for Nada or that either of them can play in the left cover position.
Apart from these two, they bought young right corner Neeraj Kumar and all-rounder Hadi Oshtorak at the auction. Patna have a couple of utility defensing options in Vikas Jaglan and Ravinder Kumar.
Overall, Patna have a defense good enough for their team but when compared to the other teams, their defense seems to be rather weak.
