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The 2014 Asian Games gold medal winning Indian national team on the podiumThe second edition of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi came to an end on Sunday at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Mumbai with U Mumba winning a thrilling encounter against Bengaluru Bulls to lift the trophy. Prior to the final, Telugu Titans defeated Patna Pirates comfortably to secure the third position in this franchise-based league.The league, which was viewed by millions of people across the globe, saw players from all over the world participate in the tournament. However, all eyes were on the Indian players who made the country proud just a year ago by winning the Asian Games gold medal in kabaddi. The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi franchises dug deep to sign the best Indian players in the first season and while some of them failed to live up to their names, there were others who used their experience at the top level to stake a claim for the best players in the league.The Indian national kabaddi team comprises of the best players in the world and all the Indian internationals took part in the second season of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. Here are how these players fared in the league:
#1 Anup Kumar and Rakesh Kumar
The captain of U Mumba, Anup Kumar, was one of the top raiders in this year’s league. With a total of 74 raid points, this former Arjuna Awardee, who was the most valuable player in the first edition ended his run as the fourth successful raider in 2015.
Born in Palra, Haryana, this 31-year-old kabaddi superstar was a part of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the Asian Games held at Guangzhou in 2010 and in Incheon in 2014. The man born in Palra, Haryana, was adjudged as the MVP of the first season when he amassed 155 points to guide his team to the runners-up spot.
Even though his statistics weren’t as good as last year, being the humble captain he is, Anup gladly swapped individual glory for the good of the team.
Rakesh Kumar
He has made his name as one of the most respectable players in the history of the sport. He has led the Indian national kabaddi team with aplomb and attracted the highest bid – Rs. 12.8 lakh – by the Patna Pirates in the first season. However, his journey in the franchise-based league has been one to forget. In the second season, he failed to make an impression as he was ruled out of the tournament after just 4 matches.
He was not just the captain, but also the coach of the Patna Pirates. In the second season, he scored 14 raid and 5 tackle points. But, if anyone can answer his critics in the strongest manner, it is this 33-year-old raider.
#2 Jasvir Singh and Manjeet Chhillar
Jaipur Pink Panthers failed to replicate their first season’s performance in 2015. However, Jasvir Singh showed great skills on the court for the winners of the inaugural season as he gathered 64 raid and 10 defence points for his team.
With a total of 113 points (106 raid + 7 defence), Jasvir Singh proved to be a pillar of success for the Jaipur franchise in the first season. Popularly known as the ‘smiling assassin’, Jasvir, 31, helped the Indian team clinch its 7th successive gold medal at the Asian Games in 2014.
Manjeet Chhillar
The captain of the Bengaluru Bulls has been a regular for the Indian team for the last six years. He is, undoubtedly, one of the most accomplished all-rounders in world kabaddi today. Under his captaincy, the team from Bengaluru finished as the runners-up in the second season of Pro Kabaddi while he picked up the MVP award.
Not only did he impressed everyone with his leadership, but he also showed some brillian performance with his raiding and tackling. Manjeet was the most successful defender last year as he scored 51 tackle points and the 29-year-old was effective on both ends of the court this season by scoring 67 raid points and 38 tackle points.
#3 Ajay Thakur and Gurpreet Singh
Ajay Thakur, who has over 14 years of professional experience, is one of the best raiders in the Indian team right now. He played a very important role in scripting the best finish ever for Bengaluru Bulls in Pro Kabaddi history. With a total of 79 points in 56 successful raids, this 29-year-old from Himachal Pradesh finished up as the third best raider this year.
Even though Ajay failed to repeat this charismatic performance in the final match, he has been, by far, Bulls' best raider in both the seasons.
Gurpreet Singh
Another player representing India at International level, Gurpreet Singh, was in the squad for the 2014 Asian Games. The right corner defender with jersey number 8 was seen on the mat just on 2 occasions this season.
The giant from Punjab got only 1 tackle point to his name in the two games he played this season. However, he is not short on experience, having played kabaddi for 16 years at both - national and international levels.
#4 Navneet Gautam and Surjeet Narwal
After lifting the Pro Kabaddi title in the inaugural edition, Navneet Gautam had a disappointing second season in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi.
Just 1 point in 7 matches the 32-year-old played this season shows the minimal impact he had on the team. In the first season as well, he scored just 17 points, but it was his leadership that shone. The defender has had a torrid time in the Pro Kabaddi League and would be looking to get his Pro Kabaddi career off in the third season.
Surjeet Narwal
The star raider for Dabang Delhi in season 1 had to, unfortunately, miss out this season due to injury. His injury was a major setback for the Dabangs as his team were inconsistent throughout the season. Known as the 'Flying Machine', Surjeet Narwal was a star performer for Delhi in season 1 grabbing 113 points for his team and finding his name in top 5 raiders of inaugural season.
#5 Rajaguru Subramanian and Nitin Madane
Playing in defence for a team known for its raiding skills can be a tough job. Rajaguru Subramanian tried hard to stamp his authority, but failed to do so on most occasions. The 2014 Asian Games gold medallist managed to score just 18 points from 13 matches he played this season. His dominant performance against Puneri Paltan saw him win the 'Inspiring Defender of the Match' award. However, shuffling of players by the Titans think-tank didn’t allow Rajaguru to spend much time on mat and improve on his performances.
Nitin Madane
Bengal Warriors' pacy and powerful raider came to Star Sports Pro Kabaddi after making a name for himself at the global stage. The 26-year-old played a key role in scripting a golden chapter in the 2014 Asian Games. Fighting against the odds, the man who used to work as a labourer on weekends during his childhood, earned 101 raid points for his team in the first season. Unfortunately for his team, the raider was ruled out of the second season due to an injury just days before the start of the tournament.
#6 Parveen Kumar and Surjeet Singh
Seasoned campaigner Parveen Kumar, who played eight matches for Bengal Warriors last season was not given any chance this year. In the first season, out of his 36 tackles in 2014, 33 were unsuccessful and just three of them resulted in points. Owing to his poor form, this 33-year-old from Uttar Pradesh was benched for the entire second season by the Warriors.
Surjeet Singh
The 25-year-old from Haryana, was part of the Indian team that won the gold medal in 2014 Asian Games. Known for his dashing raids, the raider led the Bengal side in the opening edition. However, after a disappointing campaign which saw his team finish 7th, Dinesh Kumar was appointed as the captain for the second season and Surjeet was dropped from the squad.
