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A new look Puneri Paltan team are all set to take to the field for the third coming of the StarSports Pro Kabaddi against the Telugu Titans on Sunday. Back with a host of new signings, Ashok Shinde will be hoping his side start the campaign with a new zeal and put the ghosts of the past two seasons behind them. The Puneri Paltan depended heavily on Wazir Singh to produce the goods last season and his tryst with injuries meant Puneri Paltan struggled to put together a winning foot forward. However, Puneri Paltan is no longer a one-man army and has numerous quality players to call into action, who can do various jobs in the side. The pride of the Maratha Warriors was severely hurt in the previous two campaigns and they will be out to right the wrongs of the past. We take a look at five players from the Puneri Paltan side that the league needs to watch out for.
#1 Manjeet Chillar
Manjeet Chhillar needs very little introduction and Season Two’s most valuable player is all set to shine for the Puneri Paltan this time out. Having come so near to lifting the title in the Final against U Mumba last season, the ever-smiling all-rounder will be keen to go that one step further and get crowned the Champion of Pro Kabaddi League. Ashok Shinde had no hesitation in installing Manjeet as his captain and now Manjeet will have to repay his faith his coach has shown in him.
Chhillar who is a warrior may have a slightly tough time leading his troops, who were so accustomed to losing games, that it may take time even for Manjeet Chhiillar to hit the ground running with Puneri Paltan. But Coach Ashok Shinde would believe if anyone can it would be Manjeet Chhillar to do it for his side.
#2 Ajay Thakur
The towering raider has been among the most feared predators in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi’stwo season so far. Ajay Thakur averages over a hundred raid points per season and has been among the top five raiders in both the campaigns so far. Ajay Thakur will have to take responsibility of filling the void left behind by the departure of Wazir Singh to Dabang Delhi.
Ajay Thakur has built an almost telepathic understanding with Manjeet Chhillar and the duo compliments each other extremely well. Ashol Shinde has been shrewd while acquiring the signature of these two players who enhance each other’s performance when put together.
Ajay Thakur will have the support of Deepak Niwas Hooda and Yogesh Hooda, along with some young and talented players in the raiding department. Thakur’s leadership skills will come in handy for the Paltan considering the number of young players in the team.
#3 Ravi Kumar
The outstanding performer in the Puneri Paltan defence, Ravi Kumar won his coach Ashok Shinde’s heart after a highly consistent Season Two under his tutelage. Coach Ashok Shinde heaped praise on the young defender at the end of last season as he was left astonished by the player’s progress and the maturity he developed. He chose Ravi Kumar as the player which most impressed him in a dismal season for Puneri Paltan and there is little surprise that Ashok Shinde has kept his man for the new season.
Ravi Kumar could really prosper further with Manjeet Chhillar around and if he continues to progress the way he did last season, Puneri Paltan could prove to be a nightmare for the raiders. Ravi Kumar will have to take the next step in his career and be counted among the best right corner defenders in the league.
#4 Deepak Niwas Hooda
One of the best all-rounders in the league last season, Puneri Paltan have got a real gem in Deepak Niwas Hooda. With over a hundred points earned Deepak Niwas Hooda adds a great balance to the squad with his all-round abilities. Hooda racked up a total of 61 raid points and could be the perfect man to play the second fiddle to the great Ajay Thakur. In addition, his presence would also be more than handful in the defence.
His all-round abilities could also ease the pressure on Manjeet Chhillar who could play the anchor role and try and stay on the pitch for maximum time, a factor that could be pivotal in games for the Puneri Paltan. Deepak Niwas Hooda perfectly fitted in the gung-ho approach of the Telugu Titans, but with a much more balanced team around him, Deepak Niwas Hooda could achieve greater personal accolades this season.
#5 Somvir Shekhar
Yet another import from last year’s runners-up, Bengaluru Bulls, Somvit Shekhar is well andtruly his captain’s man. Manjeet Chhillar had great faith in Somvir’s abilities on the court and Somvir Shekhar really thrived under it. Somvit Shekhar was also the eight most successful defender in the Pro Kabaddi League last season and would be looking to perform even better this time out.
His mentors from the previous team, Manjeet Chillar and Ajay Thakur’s presence in the Puneri Paltan will help him settle very quickly into the scheme of things in the Puneri Paltan set-up. After last season’s success, it would be critical for Somvir Shekhar to build on it this season and if he manages to do so, Puneri Paltan will get very close to the title.
