Pro Kabaddi League Season 5: 5 teams with difficult captain choices

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 will start next month and the teams are getting ready to compete in what is going to be the biggest tournament of its kind in the history of Indian sport. This edition will feature 12 teams and will feature over 130 matches spread across a time period of 13 weeks.

Following the auction last month, the squads have been built and in the coming weeks, the team camps will be set up and player roles finalized. In some teams such as U Mumba and Telugu Titans, who will be the captain is a given choice. But in a few other sides, it is difficult to see who will be leading the team out on the mat. Let’s take a look at the five biggest captaincy conundrums faced by teams!

#1 Jaipur Pink Panthers

The inaugural champions from season one, the Pink Panthers signed Manjeet Chhillar in the auction for a whopping 75.50 lakhs in a bid to strengthen their side. The all-rounder is one of the most iconic players in the sport but it is not certain that he will lead the side.

Others in the fray include raider Jasvir Singh and defender Navneet Gautam, both of whom are highly experienced and have been a part of the India side for over 15 years. It will be interesting to see who will be the side’s pick for the armband once the season starts.

#2 Dabang Delhi

The last two seasons have been bitterly disappointing for the Delhi side and their fans as they have never been able to put together a strong run of wins together. In season three, captaincy duties were handed to Ravinder Pahal and in the next to Kashiling Adake, who was not very successful as a leader.

Towards the second half of last season, Iranian import Meraj Sheykh took over the reigns and produced a few inspired performances where he was often the lone warrior for the Dabang team. However, this year veteran and former Bengal captain Nilesh Shinde along with defender Bajirao Hodage will also be a part of the side, both of whom are strong picks for the captain’s role.

#3 Haryana Steelers

Mohit may be chosen as Haryana’s captain

The JSW Group-owned team picked what was the bargain of the auction in the form of Mohit Chhillar and he will be sharing corner duties with his long-time defensive partner Surender Nada. However, there is a chance neither of them may be chosen to lead the side given the wealth of players at their disposal.

The Steelers are spoilt for choice as they have raiders Surjeet Singh and Sonu Narwal in their ranks, both of whom are highly experienced and possess strong leadership qualities. Another player who may be considered is Wazir Singh, who captained the Delhi team in the earlier edition of the PKL.

#4 Bengaluru Bulls

Will Rohit be made the captain of the Bulls?

The Bulls management have a difficult decision to make over who will be given the armband this season. There are three possible candidates, the first of which is all-rounder and retained player Ashish Kumar, who impressed last season.have a difficult decision to make over who will be given the armband this season. There are three possible candidates, the first of which is all-rounder and retained player Ashish Kumar, who impressed last season.

Rohit Kumar, who is returning to the Bulls, may be the second player to choose from for the captaincy. Another choice may be the ‘Hawk’ Ravinder Pahal, who has captaincy experience in the PKL and on his day can be a game-changing defender.

#5 Patna Pirates

How will Pardeep Narwal respond to the burden of captaincy?

The Pirates are two-time defending champions and last season, they were led by the immensely experienced Dharmaraj Cheralathan. However, this season they may rue the lack of a leader of a similar stature and it remains to be seen who they will appoint as captain.

Pardeep Narwal is their most outstanding player but he is still very young and inexperienced, due to which it may become an extra burden on the raider. Other options include Vishal Mane – a former PKL winner with U Mumba in Season 2 or Sachin Shingade, who was one of the outstanding players in Season 4 for Delhi.