Kabaddi News: Predicted playing 7 of the Top three PKL teams in season 9

Fans have, in the process, regulated their theories on how the teams will regroup. Keeping that in mind, here's how the top three teams might deploy their players!

Patna Pirates

Three-time titlists and runners-up to the previous edition, Patna Pirates have formed a strong team under new coach Ravi Shetty. They have retained most of their old players, which could help them reach playing stability. 

Here's a look at their predicted Playing 7!

Sunil Narwal (right corner), Mohammadreza Chiyaneh (left corner), Sachin Tanwar (right in), Rohit Gulia (left in), Neeraj Kumar (right cover), Sajin C (left cover) and Monu Goyat (centre).

Raiders - Sachin Tanwar, Rohit Gulia, and Monu Goyat 

Patna Pirates resigned Sachin Tanwar using the Final Bid Match (FBM) card at this year's auction. Last season, he stood ninth on the Raiders' leaderboard with 172 raid points from 23 matches. 

He will raid alongside rising talent Monu and his former Gujarat Giants teammate Gulia. He has secured 292 raid points and 18 tackle points in 75 matches.

Defenders - Sunil Narwal, Mohammadreza Chiyaneh, Neeraj 

Iranian defender Mohammadreza Chiyaneh turned heads last season, scoring 89 tackle points and 19 High 5s. The franchise used their FBM card to re-sign right corner defender Sunil Narwal, who finished 16th on the defenders' leaderboard. 

Neeraj Kumar (53 tackle points) and Sajin C (35 tackle points) is expected to continue as two cover defenders of the franchise. 

U Mumba

PKL legends U Mumba are trying to reassemble a powerful squad under Fazel Atrachali after failing to enter the playoffs last season. They shockingly released their captain Fazel Atrachali and vice-captain Abhishek Singh before the auctions last month. 

Here's their predicted playing seven for the competition:

Rinku Sharma (right corner), Kiran (left corner), Guman Singh (right in), Ashish Narwal (left in), Surinder Singh (right cover), Harendra Kumar (left cover) and Shivam Thakur (centre)

U Mumba Raiders - Guman Singh, Ashish Narwal, and Shivam Thakur 

Last season, Guman Singh scored 97 points in 19 matches for the Patna Pirates. He also secured four Super 10s in season eight.

Ashish Narwal, who boasts a career worth 68 raid points, along with Shivam Thakur, are expected to support the team's raiders. 

Defenders - Rinku Sharma, Harendra Kumar, Surinder Singh, and Kiran

Right-corner defender Rinku Sharma scored 60 tackle points in 22 matches last season, proving to be the best defender in the team.

Young player Kiran will replace Fazel Atrachali in the left corner position. Surinder Singh and Harendra Kumar (31 points in 21 matches) will be the two cover defenders of the team.

Bengaluru Bulls

After Pawan Kumar Sehrawat's staggering exit, the Randhir Singh Sehrawat-coached outfit is now pinning its hopes on Haryana Steelers captain Vikash Kandola who was bought for ₹1.7 crores at the auction.

Here's a look at their predicted Playing 7 for PKL 2022!

Saurabh Nandal (right corner), Aman Antil (left corner), Bharat Naresh (right in), Vikash Kandola (left in), Mayur Kadam (right cover), Mahender Singh (left cover) and Neeraj Narwal (centre).

Bengaluru Bulls raiders – Bharat Naresh, Vikash Kandola, and Neeraj Narwal

Former Haryana Steelers captain Vikash Kandola will lead the charge in attack. He has 613 points from 77 matches under his belt besides registering 25 Super 10s and 16 super raids in the league so far.