Pro Kabbadi League (PKL) Season-09 is in its business end where six teams have qualified for the play-offs and the stage is absolutely set for a cracking end to the season. The six teams who have qualified for the final stage are Jaipur Pink Panthers, Puneri Paltan, U.P. Yoddhas, Bengaluru Bulls, Tamil Thalaivas and Dabang Delhi K.C. As we move closer towards its ending, here are six players’ teams should be scared of going into the playoffs and can prove to be match winners for their respective teams.
- Arjun Deshwal (Raider, Jaipur Pink Panthers)
Starting with Jaipur Pink Panthers, we have their star raider Arjun Deshwal who has been in top form this season and is leading the charts with most raid points as of 8th December, 2022. He has consistently showcased his skills and saved Jaipur Pink Panthers from many defeats this season. He is the reason the opening champions of PKL are at top of the points table this time around. Arjun has been performing really well since the past 2-3 seasons and this was the reason he was retained by Jaipur and he has proved the decision right. If Jaipur are to win the trophy, he needs to step up once again and show everyone that he is as good as the other top raiders in the PKL history.
- Fazel Atrachali (Defender, Puneri Paltan)
Coming to the team which is second on the points table, Puneri Paltan. This team has performed really well this season and it is not because of only one player but a collective team performance. They have had not one or two, but many stars this season who have won different games for them. But, the other teams should take note of this Iranian defender who has been in really good form this season and is also the all-time top defender of Pro Kabbadi League. He has captained Puneri Paltan really well this season and has taken them into play-offs with his experience and leadership. Teams should be wary of him as he is a proven match winner on the Kabbadi mat.
- Pardeep Narwal (Raider, U.P. Yoddhas)
As soon as we hear U.P. Yoddhas, one name that comes to our mind is of Pardeep Narwal. He started the season slowly but caught up gradually and showed everyone that why is he known by the name of “Dubki King”. He has collected 200+ raid points this season and is among the top-10 raiders. He can prove to be a X-factor player for his team and can change the game anytime with multiple super raids. He also completed 1500 raid points this season and became the first player to do so in the PKL history. It would be fair to say that among all of the teams who are in play-offs, Pardeep Narwal stands between them and the trophy.
- Bharat (Raider, Bengaluru Bulls)
Talk about filling the shoes of the Hi-Flyer, Pawan Sehrawat, in a team like Bengaluru Bulls, Bharat has done this absolutely well and has not made anyone felt the absence of Pawan in the Bangalore team. He has been in top form this season, having 257 raid points and being second in the list of top raiders this season. He has carried the team single-handedly in raiding along with excellent support of defenders like Saurabh Nandal, Mahender Singh and Mayur Kadam. Just like Bengaluru Bulls were dependent on Pawan until the last season, they can really bet on Bharat to win them the trophy this time around.
5.Narender (Raider, Tamil Thalaivas)
Tamil Thalaivas this season acquired Pawan Sehrawat in the auction for a whopping 2.26 crores and really banked upon him to win them that trophy. Unfortunately, he got injured after the first match and Tamil team was in deep waters. They needed someone to step up in place of Pawan and then came Narender. A young raider playing first time at such a grand stage and he did not disappoint. He bailed Tamil Thalaivas out of the difficult situation and made them reach play-offs. He was well supported by his teammate, Sagar Rathee, who has been this season’s top defender. Narender has gathered 220 raid points till now and is very well determined to take his team over the line.
- Naveen Kumar (Raider, Dabang Delhi K.C.)
Dabang Delhi K.C. started the season as the defending champions and played like true favorites where they won their first five consecutive games. But then, their train got derailed and were once at the risk of missing out on the play-offs. They were in deep trouble and then came their top player since the past 2 seasons, Naveen Kumar and hasn’t stopped since then. He is among the top-10 raiders this time around as well and has performed every time his team needed. In their last league match, he took 16 raid points and took his team to the play-offs. If Delhi want to defend their title, Naveen has to show why he is the emerging player of the PKL and a superstar in making.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 : Match Day 53 key events, highlights and stats
