The countdown to the Kabaddi World Cup all set to commence next week has begun with 12 countries including the likes of India, USA, UK, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Australia, Kenya, Iran, Thailand, and Argentina battling it out to be crowned world champions.
Defending champions India will face off against South Korea in the tournament opener and will be captained by star raider and Arjuna awardee Anup Kumar.
A 14-member Indian squad was selected post a rigorous training camp held especially as a part of the World Cup preparations in order to ensure that the host nation fields the best possible team in their quest to retain the title they won back in 2007 after defeating Iran in the final.
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However, the only aspect plaguing the Indian coach, Balwant Singh and his deputy E. Bhaskaran is the problem of plenty, since a hoard of Pro Kabaddi players, all stars in their own right form the Indian Dream Team.
The selected 14 are a perfect amalgamation of skills, experience and youth with players like Anup Kumar, Ajay Thakur, Deepak Hooda, Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Jasvir Singh, Kiran Parmar, Manjeet Chillar, Mohit Chillar, Nitin Tomar, Pardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari, Sandeep Narwal, Surender Nada and Surjeet Narwal.
So, Sports Keeda predicts the probable 7 who will start the game against the Korean team!
#1 Anup Kumar (Captain, Raider)
The policeman from Haryana often nicknamed as "Captain Cool" due to his calm nature and the ability to handle pressure situations with ease, makes him an asset and the perfect candidate to lead the Indian side at the World Cup. He already knows the nature and demands of his job, having captained the U Mumba team in the Pro Kabaddi League for all the four seasons until name.
The 32-year-old plays as a right raider on the kabaddi mat with the toe touch being his key move and has a knack of playing around with the right tactics. The Most Valuable Player in Season 1 of Pro Kabaddi and the victorious captain in Season 2, winner of two Asian Game gold medals, under his aegis and guidance it is sure that the Indian team will be at ease and comfort, devoid of tense scenarios.
#2 Manjeet Chhillar (Vice-captain, All Rounder)
Another captain from the Pro Kabaddi League, the 30-year old skipper of Puneri Paltan will be the deputy to Anup Kumar at the World Cup. An all rounder in terms of style of play, he has more than 400 points from just 59 matches in the League. A key man in the core central defence, he has the capability to bail the team out with his strong raids when the time calls for it as well.
A former wrestler, it his sheer strength that will prove to be the key that will assist him to put in the solo tackles that he is known for.
#3 Rahul Chaudhari (Raider)
The 23- year-old poster boy of Indian kabaddi and the face of the Telugu Titans, Rahul is one player who can win his side a game single-handedly if he comes into his own. With 146 raid points in the leagues' last edition and a total of over 500 points from just 57 matches, he is one player who will definitely make the cut in Coach Balwant Singh's playing seven.
His strength is the simple fact that he can get his team more than a couple of points every time he raids. Rahul is the one who will ensure that India's scoreboard keeps ticking by the minute at the World Cup.
Mohit Chhillar and Surender Nada (Cover Defenders)
The two players will combine to form a formidable pair as the extreme right and left cover defenders during the World Cup. The pair knows each other's game plan in-and-out having played together for the first three seasons of Pro Kabaddi at U Mumba and then switching onto the Bengaluru Bulls and also won the gold with the Indian team at the South Asian Games earlier this year.
Their key moves will be threatening for the rival raiders for if he can escape a Mohit Chhillar waist hold he will nine out of ten-time fall into the trap for an ankle hold from Surender Nada on the other corner. The pair boasts of more than 330 points which alone is a statistic that will render the raiders hapless when they approach the Indian half on the kabaddi mat.
Sandeep Narwal and Deepak Hooda (A duo of all-rounders)
A unique blend of effective raiding and full-proof defence is what these two players will bring onto the kabaddi mat which makes them valuable additions to the playing seven.
Sandeep Narwal who played for the Patna Pirates for the first three seasons of Pro Kabaddi but was bought by the Telugu Titans in the Season 4 auction is a defensive all-rounder. Strong, full body tackles being his forte and key move, the player has a record 161 tackle points and 171 raid points from 62 games in the League. He was also adjudged as the Best Defender in Season 3 when he won the title with the Patna Pirates, which makes him an important player in the starting 7.
Deepak Hooda, the man with the golden running hand touch, has proved his worth as young blood while playing for Telugu Titans formerly and now the Puneri Paltan in Pro Kabaddi. He has the rare quality of bailing a team out of trouble whether it is with his swift raiding or defensive role.
The 22-year old has previously represented India at the South Asian Games where the team won the gold medal. With numbers speaking for him, 391 points from 57 matches, Deepak will be a force to reckon with.
