Pro Kabaddi League: Review of the first week, points table, highest scoring raiders, and MVP in different teams

    During the first week of India's biggest kabaddi tournament, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) displayed its fair share of surprises and delights. Defending champions Dabang Delhi kicked off the league with a resounding 41-27 victory over U Mumba

    Pro Kabaddi League Image credit: PA Images Pro Kabaddi League

    Krishan Kumar Hooda's boys made the best of the opportunities created on the mat. Star raider and skipper Naveen Kumar Goyat topped the tally with 13 points. 

    The Delhi-based side has won its first three matches as of now. Likewise, Bengaluru Bulls launched their campaign with power and intent. Ironically, they conceded their third match to Bengal Warriors, who had a shaky start to the campaign. 

    Bulls' raider Vikas Kandola has delivered a decent performance, although his teammate Bharat outperformed him in two matches. After Pawan Sehrawat's exit from the Bulls, he was replaced by Vikas, who is now under tremendous pressure to match Sehrawat'e level. 

    Speaking of Sehrawat, the Tamil Thalaivas raider suffered an outrageous injury during their game against Gujarat Giants, who were competitive despite the absence of an established raider. 

    The Thalaivas managed to hold the Giants to a draw in their opening match but lost the next one to the Haryana Steelers. Now led by Manpreet Singh, who helped Gujarat Giants enter two finals, might turn the game around for the Steelers this season.

    The Steelers are armed with remarkable squad depth this season. The same can be said about the Jaipur Pink Panthers, defined by the raiding trio of Arjun Deshwal, V Ajith Kumar, and Rahul Chaudhari. They seem determined to recreate their inaugural league victory. 

    Furthermore, Puneri Paltan has not won a single match despite having the likes of Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat on the team. Patna Pirates are also struggling to secure a win, although Rohil Gulia has pulled off interesting raids.

    In the meantime, Telugu Titans and UP Yoddha are down with two losses each. After a hectic first week of the ninth edition, here is the updated points table. 

    Points table:

    Team

    Played  

      Won  

     Lost  

      Tied  

      Points

    Dabang Delhi K.C.

    3

    3

    0

    0

    15

    Bengal Warriors

    3

    2

    1

    0

    10

    Haryana Steelers

    2

    2

    0

    0

    10

    Bengaluru Bulls

    3

    2

    1

    0

    10

    U.P. Yoddhas

    3

    1

    2

    0

    7

    Jaipur Pink Panthers  

    2

    1

    1

    0

    6

    Telugu Titans

    3

    1

    2

    0

    6

    U Mumba

    2

    1

    1

    0

    5

    Puneri Paltan

    2

    0

    1

    1

    4

    Tamil Thalaivas

    2

    0

    1

    1

    4

    Patna Pirates

    3

    0

    2

    1

    4

    Gujarat Giants

    2

    0

    1

    1

    3

     

    Most raid points scored:

          Player

            Team

    Raid points

    Naveen Kumar

         Dabang Delhi

    41

    Surender Gill

         UP Yoddhas

    33

    Maninder Singh  

       Bengal Warriors

    29

    Rakesh

        Gujarat Giants

    27

    Bharat

       Bengaluru Bulls

    25

    Arjun Deshwal

     Jaipur Pink Panthers  

    25

    Manjeet

       Haryana Steelers

    24

    Vikash Kandola

       Bengaluru Bulls

    23

    Sachin Patna

          Patna Pirates

    22

    Rohit Gulia

          Patna Pirates

    22

     

    MVPs in different teams:

    Year

    Name

    Team

     Current team

    2014

    Anup Kumar

    U Mumba

    -

    2015

    Manjeet Chillar

    Bengaluru Bulls

    -

    Early 2016

    Rohit Kumar

    Patna Pirates

     Gujarat Giants

    June-July 2016  

    Pardeep Narwal

    Patna Pirates

     UP Yoddhas

    2017

    Pardeep Narwal

    Patna Pirates

     UP Yoddhas

    2018

    Pawan Sehrawat       

    Bengaluru Bulls

    Tamil Thailavas

    2019

    Naveen Kumar

    Dabang Delhi KC

      Dabang Delhi KC 

    2021

    Naveen Kumar

    Dabang Delhi KC

     Dabang Delhi KC

     

    Anup Kumar served as Puneri Paltan’s coach in seasons seven and eight after his retirement from kabaddi as a player. Manjeet Chillar made his debut this season as the assistant coach for the Telugu Titans.

     

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