New Zealand Cricketers Back Teammates Southee, Mitchell & Phillips To Play Kabaddi Ahead Of PKL Season 10

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Mumbai, November 21: New Zealand cricketers backed three of their teammates to play kabaddi as India gears up for the landmark tenth season of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).

As the season fast approaches, Blackcaps Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham were shown a few highlights from the PKL during their time in India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and the Kiwis found the game of kabaddi interesting as it resembles a scrum in Rugby.

Sharing his thoughts about the game, speedster Boult backed his teammates - all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and fellow pacer Tim Southee to try their hands in kabaddi.

"I've watched it a couple of times. I think you need strong legs for the sport. I would put up Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee's names for this game," Boult said in the video.

Wicketkeeper-batter Latham, on the other hand, compared kabaddi to a familar sport back home in New Zealand, Rugby due to the physicality involved in the sport.

"It looks like a pretty physical game. It looks similar to Rugby, with guys teaming up to stop one guy getting across the line. I would nominate Glenn Phillips for this sport. He's a powerful pocket rocket," Latham said.

While Boult backed his pace-bowling partner Southee and Mitchell to take part in kabaddi, all-rounder Mitchell Santner liked Latham said he would like to see his teammate Phillips play kabaddi.

"I've probably got the squirminess for the sport, but not the strength. You need to be agile and strong for kabaddi. Lockie Ferguson might play well. He has a strong core and big legs," Santner said in the video posted by Puneri Paltan on Instagram.

The tenth season of the Pro Kabaddi League will begin on 2nd December 2023 in Ahmedabad, where home side Gujarat Giants will open the campaign against Telugu Titans in the first fixture, while U Mumba face UP Yoddhas in the second match.

The landmark season of the second-most followed league in India after IPL, PKL is set to return to caravan format of matches across the 12 cities for the first time since the 2019 season as COVID pandemic restricted the matches to be played in limited venues in season 8 and 9.