Nitesh Kumar PKL 2024 Team: Which team is the Indian defender playing for in Pro Kabaddi 2024?

Nitesh Kumar has been one of the most consistent and impactful defenders in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) history. From the moment he burst onto the scene, Nitesh has showcased his immense defensive skills, quickly becoming one of the best right corner defenders in the league.

His breakthrough moment came in Season 6 when he made history by becoming the first player to record 100 tackle points in a single season. Since then, Nitesh Kumar has continued to prove his worth as a formidable defender, accumulating 350 tackle points across 129 matches (before the start of Season 11).

Despite his undeniable talent and leadership experience as the former captain of UP Yoddhas, Nitesh was released ahead of the PKL 2024 auction. Now, he is set for a new challenge with Bengal Warriorz. As the 2024 season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Nitesh will contribute to his new team’s defensive lineup.

Over the course of his PKL career, Nitesh Kumar has established himself as one of the most reliable right-corner defenders. His career stats speak volumes about his abilities - 350 tackle points from 129 matches, 27 Super Tackles, and 23 High 5s. With a tackle success rate of 50% and an impressive average of 2.71 successful tackles per match, Nitesh’s defensive prowess is well-recognized in the league (stats before the start of Season 11).

Nitesh’s performance in Season 10, however, saw him struggle, as he played only 16 games for UP Yoddhas, collecting 37 tackle points. Despite his reduced playing time, his presence on the mat remained influential. His experience and leadership as a former captain made him a key figure for the team, but the Yoddhas decided to release him before the auction.

---

Slow start for Nitesh Kumar at Bengal Warriorz

In Pro Kabaddi 2024, Nitesh Kumar is donning the Bengal Warriorz jersey. The team, looking to bolster its defense, signed him for INR 13 lakh during the auction. Bengal Warriorz already made headlines by acquiring star defender Fazel Atrachali on the first day of the auction and strengthened their defensive core further with the additions of Mayur Kadam and Praveen Thakur, alongside Nitesh.

Although Bengal Warriorz lost their opening game against Jaipur Pink Panthers, Nitesh’s experience is expected to play a crucial role as the season progresses. In the first match, he put in just two tackles and earned one tackle point, but the team will remain optimistic that his form will improve as he settles into his new franchise.