A class defender can make a major difference during crucial moments of the game, and win the game for his side from nowhere. As someone rightly said, a good attack can win you matches, a good defense can win you tournaments.
As Pro Kabaddi Season 7 is set to kick off, let’s have a look at the top 5 defenders to watch out for in season 7.
Vishal Bharadwaj 
Looking at the Pro Kabaddi Season 6, Telugu Titans’ Vishal Bharadwaj played a total of 17 matches and scored 60 tackle points. This is the major reason he was the top defender for his team in Pro Kabaddi Season 6 with an average of 3 tackle points per match.
Going back further in Season 5, he had produced an even better return, picking up 71 tackle points in 22 matches.
Every team will be gearing up to counter the juggernaut force this season; the lad is a perfect blend of experience, exuberance, and skills.
Ravinder Pahal 
Ravinder Pahal has been the star performer for Dabang Delhi since he made his debut in the Pro Kabaddi League. Having a ton of experience in the kitty, and strong defensive skills, the right corner defender will be a major threat for other Pro Kabaddi franchises come Season 7.
Ravinder Pahal scored a total of 59 points in 22 matches last season and created history, helping Dabang Delhi KC reach playoffs for the first time since the start of Pro Kabaddi League.
Surender Singh 
Surender Singh is one of the more underrated defenders in Pro Kabaddi League. He remained under the shadow of fellow defender, Iranian Fazel Atrachali in the last season for U Mumba, despite a wonderful showing.
Surender, kept himself low profile, but went about his job astutely, scoring 62 tackle points in 22 matches, and took U Mumba to the play-offs of Pro Kabaddi Season 6.
He wasn’t always a great defender and used to concede points, but the defender put in a lot of effort and heart, and as a result, Season 6 proved to be a decider for the youngster, who conquered the weakness with flying colors.
Parvesh Bhainswal 
If we closely look at the stand-out franchise in the last 2 Pro Kabaddi League Seasons, it has to be Gujarat Fortune Giants. The major reason behind the stupendous success of the team from Gujarat has been the defensive pair of Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal, that acted like a claw for the other franchises, who were left dumbfounded.
Parvesh was earlier a member of Jaipur Pink Panthers but failed to showcase his potential to the maximum. But as destiny had it, Parvesh got into the ranks of Gujarat Fortune Giants and made a tormenting defensive pair with Sunil Kumar. He scored 138 tackle points in 25 matches at an average of 3.28 tackles per match and a strike rate of 62.31.
Nitesh Kumar 
If asked who could be the best defender of Pro Kabaddi Season 7, only one name comes to mind, and it is Nitesh Kumar. He scored 100 tackle points in 25 matches at an average of 3.68 tackles per match and at a strike rate of 64.93 last season.
He was the juggernaut force behind UP Yoddha reaching the final of Pro Kabaddi Season 6, but the franchise couldn’t lift the trophy, losing to Bengaluru Bulls.
UP Yoddha will be eager to win the maiden Pro Kabaddi League title this year and Nitesh Kumar would play a crucial role in that pursuit.
