Star Sports Pro Kabaddi Season 3: Team of the tournament

The third season of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi concluded in grand style as the Patna Pirates were crowned the new champions of the league after a 31-28 win over U Mumba in New Delhi. The Patna Pirates were the first team to qualify for the semi-finals and they dominated the league right from the outset. They played as a unit right through the tournament and were deserved winners of the league.There were some splendid performances all across the league this season. It was a season for the young players to shine and the old guards to act as the string pullers, with the tournament becoming increasingly intense.We look back at the season and try to come up with the best seven of the Pro Kabaddi Season 3.

#1 Rohit Kumar (Patna Pirates) - Raider

Rohit Kumar

Rohit Kumar was the architect of Patna Pirates' run to the trophy in Season 3. The debutant scored a mammoth 102 raid points to ensure the Pirates not only ended their semi-final jinx, but also became the only team to beat U Mumba twice this season.

For his exploits with the Patna outfit, Rohit was adjudged as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Having made such a big splash in his first season of the tournament, a lot can be expected from the young raider in the upcoming editions.

#2 Sandeep Narwal (Patna Pirates) Right Corner Defender

Sandeep Narwal

The Best Defender of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi Season 3, Sandeep Narwal was sensational at the right corner for the Patna Pirates. The 22-year-old got the chance to focus on defending this season as the raiding responsibilities were shared by Pardeep Narwal and Rohit Kumar, and he thrived in his new role.

The defender got better with every game and saved his best for the last as his 12 tackle points in the semi-final and final proved to be pivotal in getting Patna Pirates the crown.

#3 Manjeet Chhillar (Puneri Paltan) All-rounder

Manjeet Chhillar

Manjeet Chhillar switched to the Puneri Paltan this season, but that had no effect on his strong performances; his all-round efforts lifted the Puneri Paltan to third place in the league. It was no easy task to get a completely new team playing as a unit, and Manjeet's leadership was excellent throughout the tournament. Manjeet accumulated the most tackle points as a defender in the league while playing at the left corner position for most parts of the season.

#4 Surjeet (Puneri Paltan) - Right Cover Defender

Surjeet (L) and Ajay Thakur pose with their awards

A relatively unknown quantity coming into the Puneri Paltan set-up from the Services team, Surjeet had a great first season in the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. With 47 successful tackles, he was only behind Manjeet Chhillar and Sandeep Narwal in the top defenders' list.

Surjeet, who also went for an odd raid, rapidly became an integral part of the Puneri Paltan set-up. So much so, that the Paltan struggled mightily in his absence when the defender went to play for the South Asian Games.

#5 Bajirao Hodage (Bengal Warriors) - Left Cover Defender

Bajirao Hodage

The Bengal Warriors defender was superb this season while playing at the left cover position; rarely did a raider escape after getting into his clutches. Bajirao had great understanding with the likes of Nilesh Shinde and Girish Ernak, and the Bengal Warriors' defence was one that every raider had nightmares about. With 36 successful tackles, Bajirao ensured the Warriors qualified for their first ever semi-final in Pro Kabaddi history.

#6 Rishank Devadiga (U Mumba) - Raider

Rishank Devadiga

Rishank Devadiga was arguably U Mumba's best player of the season. With 106 raid points, he took up the mantle of being the team's main raider when Anup Kumar was away with the Indian team.

U Mumba won every encounter when Devadiga scored five or more points, and lost all games when he failed to get a high five. That statistic tells you all you need to know about his impact on the side, and it would be fair to say that Devadiga played a huge part in getting U Mumba so close to defending their crown. For his efforts, he was awarded the 'Best Raider of the Tournament' award.

#7 Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates) - Raider

Pardeep Narwal

Pardeep Narwal was a sensation for Patna Pirates, and certainly one of the best finds of Season 3. Having warmed the bench for most parts of last season at Bengaluru Bulls, a move to Patna Pirates proved to be the catalyst to get Pardeep firing.

He had the highest raid points in the league this season with 116, 10 points more than the second-placed raider. Pardeep's 10 raid points in the semi-final, which included a six-point raid, ended the Pirates' semis jinx and got him the 'Rising Star of the Tournament' award.