Since the PKL-09 Play-offs are approaching, we decided to do a special article series where we break down each team’s journey to the play-offs. From retention to auction and then the performance in the Pro Kabaddi League. We will be starting this series today with Dabang Delhi K.C.
Before the beginning of PKL-09, Delhi team were the defending champions and the absolute favorites to win this time too. Some of the experienced players like Manjeet Chillar (took up a bigger role as the assistant coach of Telugu Titans), Ajay Thakur (sought exemption due to personal reasons) and Sandeep Narwal left the team. Delhi decided to retain most of their raiders and young defenders.
In the auction, they bought many specialist defenders such as Sandeep Dhull, Amit Hooda and Vishal. They made a complete team with a good mix of young, passionate raiders and experienced defenders. Their star raider, Naveen Kumar was announced as the captain for this season.
Playoffs ki taraf udaan bharte huye #NaveenExpress hai aapke #PlayerOfTheMatch 😍#DabangDelhi #HarDumDabang #BENvDEL #vivoProKabaddi #FantasticPanga pic.twitter.com/iWNicX9pI8
— Dabang Delhi KC (@DabangDelhiKC) December 9, 2022
They started the season as true champions and showed everyone that they are ready and all set to defend their title. Dabang Delhi won their first five consecutive matches and were sitting at the top of points table. All their first five matches were dominant wins except against U.P. Yoddhas (44-42) and Haryana Steelers (38-36). The reason for their dominant performance is those matches was their star raider Naveen Kumar, who hit super 10 in all the five matches consecutively. He was well supported by Delhi’s young and budding raider Manjeet, who played second fiddle to Naveen.
This is DABANG DEFENCE appreciation tweet 💪#DabangDelhi #HarDumDabang #BENvDEL #vivoProKabaddi #FantasticPanga pic.twitter.com/e2kQghUaWB
— Dabang Delhi KC (@DabangDelhiKC) December 9, 2022
Till the fifth match, there defense was also playing pretty well. But after these five matches, the unthinkable happened and Delhi lost 6 matches on the trot. The raiders were still performing good with Ashu Malik and Vijay rising up to the occasion whenever team needed but their defense performed poorly and was the reason for defeat. They weren’t able to gather more than 6-7 tackle points in those matches except the ones with Bengal Warriors (10 tackle points) and Puneri Paltan (9 tackle points). After the first two losses, their team co-ordination just didn’t click and they kept on losing.
After these 6 matches, they finally managed to win one against Telugu Titans but then faced 2 big loses again against U.P. Yoddhas and Jaipur Pink Panthers. After these 14 matches, the defending champions were at the risk of losing a place in the play-offs, but it is truly said that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Delhi started from scratch again, got the basics right and gained the winning momentum. They won 3 matches continuously and were back in the race for a spot in the play-offs.
अगर हर दम दबंग हो, तो ज़िंदा हो तुम ❤️#DabangDelhi #HarDumDabang #BENvDEL #vivoProKabaddi #FantasticPanga pic.twitter.com/LetibtcuzS
— Dabang Delhi KC (@DabangDelhiKC) December 8, 2022
Before their last two league matches, they needed two wins or a win and a tie would suffice for them to confirm their place in the last stage of the tournament. They beat U Mumba (24-41) and then tied the match against Bengal Warriors (46-46) to seal their place in PKL-09 play-offs. They finished sixth in the Points Table with 10 wins, 10 losses and 2 draws in 22 matches and a total of 63 points.
They will now play the Eliminator 1 against Bengaluru Bulls on 13th December, 2022 and the winner will go on to face Jaipur Pink Panthers in Semi-Final 1 on 15th December, 2022. Dabang Delhi K.C. have a golden chance to win that trophy again and defend their title if they manage to win their three play-off matches.
Also Read – All the Players to watch out for PKL Playoffs season 9 in detail
