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The 10th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League is here, and all 12 teams are set to engage in a fierce battle to get their hands on the championship. Each side has reshuffled its squad ahead of the new season, and now everyone is ready to bring out their A-game to outplay each other.
The first objective for each side will be to finish among the top six to qualify for the playoffs. Finishing in the top two, meanwhile, comes with the extra perk of qualifying for the semifinals directly.
We are likely to see very close competition in the league standings this year. Here, we predict where each team is likely to finish in the Pro Kabaddi League 2023 standings.
#12 - Tamil Thalaivas
Chasing their first-ever PKL trophy, Tamil Thalaivas have put their trust in youngsters to do the job for them. They have many talented players at their disposal, including Narender, Sagar, Himanshu, and M Abhishek.
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However, they lack the experience to guide them through the long and competitive season. The youngsters may not be able to hold their nerve in the crucial moments.
#11 - Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates had a disappointing season last time out, so they decided to overhaul their squad completely for PKL 10. They have assembled a decent raiding unit consisting of Sachin, Rakesh Narwal, and Manjeet.
However, the failure to re-sign Mohammadreza Shadloui has left a gaping hole in their defense. If their young defenders fail to step up, the Pirates from Patna could be in for a long season.
#10 - Telugu Titans
The Hyderabad-based franchise had a horror show last season, which forced them to shuffle their squad massively. They displayed intent by signing Pawan Kumar Sehrawat in the auctions for the PKL 10.
However, Telugu Titans have failed to assemble a balanced squad, and teams will likely be able to tackle them by neutralizing Pawan Kumar Sehrawat. The Titans seem over-reliant on the brilliance of a single player, and that could come back to haunt them.
#9 - U Mumba
U Mumba made some shrewd signings at the auctions for PKL 10, but they are looking thin in the raiding department. They would expect Guman Singh to do the heavy lifting.
In the defensive department, players like Girish Maruti have been consistently inconsistent over the years. All things considered, it will be a surprise to see them in the playoffs.
#8 - Gujarat Giants
After just missing out on the playoffs last season, the Gujarat Giants tried to rectify their mistakes in the auctions ahead of PKL 10. They managed to sign the Iranian powerhouses Fazel Atrachali and Mohammad Nabibakhsh.
While they have built a solid defensive unit, the Giants are looking thin in the raiding department. They don't have consistent performers in the attack and they are likely to struggle against defensively sturdy teams.
#7 - Bengal Warriors
Bengal Warriors had a terrible run last season as they finished 11th on the points table. But the Warriors kept their faith in superstar raider Maninder Singh and splashed massive money to resign him.
They have one of the best raiding units in the league with the presence of Maninder Singh and Shrikant Jadhav. However, the same can't be said about their defense.
They would be relying on Shubham and Nitin Rawal to do the job for them alongside the youngsters. The Kolkata-based franchise is expected to struggle defensively, and they are likely to miss out on the playoffs as well.
#6 - Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls retained their core ahead of PKL 10, and they have a settled raiding unit. Vikash Kandola, Bharat, and Neeraj Narwal make a formidable attacking trio for any opposition.
Furthermore, they have plenty of experience in defense as well. The addition of Surjeet Singh and Ran Singh has turned them into one of the teams to watch out for.
#5 - Haryana Steelers
Haryana Steelers fell agonizingly short of the playoffs last season and they look determined to make it to the playoffs in PKL 10. The Steelers signed Siddharth Desai in the auction to bolster their attack. They also have Chandran Ranjit, Vinay, and K Prapanjan, who form one of the most fearsome attacks in the league.
The Steelers have the settled duo of Mohit and Jaideep in the defense. They have also added the likes of Rahul Sethpal to add solidity to that department.
Furthermore, the winning mentality of their coach Manjeet is likely to uplift the Haryana Steelers.
#4 - Jaipur Pink Panthers
The defending champions retained their core, and most of their players are accustomed to playing with each other. Arjun Deshwal, V Ajith Kumar, and Rahul Chaudhari form a decent raiding unit for the Pink Panthers.
Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar, Ankush and Sahul Kumar are proven performers in the defense. They also have some Iranian flair in their squad, along with quality back-ups.
While the Jaipur-based franchise will try to retain their title, they look good to qualify for another playoff.
#3 - UP Yoddhas
The Yoddhas from UP are one of the most consistent sides in the Pro Kabaddi League. While they have not won a PKL title yet, they have consistently made it to the playoffs.
UP Yoddhas look set for another top-six finish courtesy of a solid team. In the attacking department, they have the settled duo of Pardeep Narwal and Suredner Gill. The addition of Vijay Malik brings even more quality to their attack.
Meanwhile, they have a settled unit of Nitesh, Sumit, and Ashu Singh in defense. UP Yoddhas only have to bring their quality on to the mat and they could well dominate the season.
#2 - Dabang Delhi
Over the last few years, Dabang Delhi have emerged as one of the most consistent sides in the tournament. Naveen Kumar, Meetu, Ashu Malik, and Manjeet form a dynamic raiding unit for them.
Meanwhile, the addition of Vishal Bhardwaj adds a lot of experience to their defense. They lack an experienced all-rounder in their team but the Dabangs from Delhi still look good to advance to the next round of the PKL 10.
#1 - Puneri Paltan
After reaching the final last season, Puneri Paltan will be eager to lift the PKL 10 trophy. Puneri Paltan are the only team to have quality backups for all positions courtesy of their investment in youth over the last few years.
They have Asalam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat to lead their attack, while Pankaj Mohite and Akash Shinde will be their backup. Puneri Paltan have also added solidity to their defense by signing Mohammadreza Shadloui for a record-breaking price.
On paper, the Pune-based franchise is looking the best positioned to finish at the top in the PKL 10.
