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The 36-man probable list for the Indian kabaddi national camp was announced with notable exclusions by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, which raised eyebrows among fans and pundits. Among the absentees are veteran Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) players Pardeep Narwal, Maninder Singh, and Naveen Kumar, all of whom have made significant contributions to the sport.
Amongst the probable list of contenders for the camp, a notable trend emerges - the inclusion of several new faces alongside established names, hinting at a paradigm shift in the selection criteria and a renewed focus on nurturing emerging talent.
Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal, also known as the 'Dubki King,' has etched his name in kabaddi folklore for his exceptional skills on the mat. He achieved unprecedented success with the Patna Pirates, winning three consecutive PKL titles and the Kabaddi World Cup in 2016. However, Narwal's form dipped this season, as evidenced by his relatively low raid point tally for the UP Yoddhas.
Despite 'Record Breaker' Pardeep Narwal's impressive career tally of 1690 raid points, 85 super 10s, and almost every raiding stat to his name in the PKL, his recent drop in performance resulted in his exclusion from both the PKL in the latter stages of PKL 10 and Haryana's Senior Nationals team, which went on to win. It's clear now that he is not the same caliber of player he was a few years ago, capable of single-handedly winning games for his teams.
Maninder Singh
Similarly, Maninder Singh's absence from the national camp roster has surprised many. Maninder, known for his scoring prowess and powerful raids, has over 1400 raid points in the PKL, cementing his position as one of the league's top raiders.
Despite suffering injury setbacks in the PKL 10 season, nicknamed 'The Mighty Mani,' managed to score an impressive 198 points and nine super 10s, demonstrating his resilience and determination. His exclusion from the Punjab Senior Nationals and now the national camp is thus a source of debate among kabaddi fans.
Naveen Kumar
Fondly referred to as the 'Naveen Express,' Naveen Kumar has been a consistent performer both in the PKL and the Indian kabaddi team. He is known for his agility and game-changing raiding abilities. He was sidelined due to an unfortunate ACL injury sustained during the PKL Season 10 against Jaipur Pink Panthers
His absence is a significant setback, given his key role in securing victories for Dabang Delhi and representing India in international competitions. Despite undergoing surgery and beginning his recovery, Kumar's absence will be felt deeply, especially given his remarkable achievement of becoming the PKL's fastest player to reach 1000 raid points.
Opportunity for new young talents
In the absence of seasoned veterans, the Indian kabaddi national camp provides an opportunity for emerging talents such as Ashu Malik, Guman Singh, and Pankaj Mohite to show their abilities and stake their claim in the national setup from which 15/16 players will be picked in the main squad.
As the squad prepares for rigorous training and preparation, the absence of Pardeep Narwal, Maninder Singh, and Naveen Kumar highlights the inevitable transition and the rise of a new generation of kabaddi stars ready to make their mark on the international stage.
