Pro Kabaddi League Legend Anup Kumar Says Team With Best Defence Will Win PKL Season 11

Add as a preferred source on Google

Pro Kabaddi League legend and former winner Anup Kumar has picked which trait will help crown this year's tournament champions with the PKL Season 11 playoffs battle right around the corner.

Last year's runners up Haryana Steelers became the first team to book their playoff spot this season and also the first to confirm a direct semi-final entry, having finished the league phase with 84 points, which sees them seal the top two spots.

Former champions Patna Pirates, Dabang Delhi KC and Jaipur Pink Panthers have also confirmed their top six positions along with UP Yoddhas, while U Mumba, the current sixth-placed side, remain favourites to beat off Telugu Titans to the final playoff spot.

Champion with U Mumba in PKL Season 2, Anup believes defensive prowess will be the deciding factor in crowning this season's champions, marking a significant shift from the traditionally raider-dominated sport.

"When the PKL started, defenders didn't have much value, and there weren't many tackle points as the raiders ruled the roost. But nowadays there are more defensive moves... A single raider can never win the trophy for a team now, you need defenders," Kumar said in a release.

Among the playoff contenders, Kumar has been particularly impressed with Haryana Steelers' approach, with Mohammadreza Shadloui and Rahul Sehpal, the key defenders, getting special a mention.

"The Steelers have impressed the most this season, both their defenders and their raiders... Their defence especially has done tremendous work, whether you talk about (Mohammadreza) Shadloui or Rahul (Sethpal)," added Anup.

For his former team U Mumba, currently fighting for a playoff spot, Kumar believes their chances hinge on their final league match. "U Mumba's performance has been very good after a slow start. Though their start wasn't great, they've improved... If they win their last match, they'll qualify 100%," he said.

The former captain particularly highlighted U Mumba raider Ajit Chauhan's solo efforts this season. "Ajit's performance has been excellent... If another raider had supported him even a little, this team would have been in first, second, or third position, not fifth or sixth," Kumar noted, pointing to the importance of balanced team performance in crucial matches.

As teams make their final push for playoff qualification, Kumar's analysis suggests that success in the knockout stages will depend not just on star raiders but on how well teams execute their defensive strategies - a fascinating evolution in the sport's tactical approach.

Source: PKL Media