Pro Kabaddi 2019: Top 5 defenders from the Mumbai leg

Vivo Pro Kabaddi 2019 action is currently underway at the Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna. Prior to Patna Pirates' home leg, U Mumba hosted the action from 27th July to 2nd August 2019 at Dome @NSCI, SVP stadium.

Indian Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli was the chief guest on the first day of Mumbai leg as U Mumba started their home leg with a win in the 'Great Maharashtrian Derby' against the Puneri Paltan (33-23).

U Mumba suffered two consecutive losses against the defending champions Bengaluru Bulls (26-30) and UP Yoddha (23-27) that dented their campaign. However, they found their lost rhythm to win their last home leg match against the Gujarat Fortunegiants (32-20).

Talking about the offensive front, Deepak Niwas Hooda, Naveen Kumar, and Maninder Singh were the most successful raiders of the Mumbai leg with 20 raid points to their names.

Surinder Singh picked up 15 tackle points from 4 games and became the most successful defender of the Mumbai leg. He bagged the 'Ultra-tech number one player of the home team' award for his fine show on the defensive front.

On that note, here is a look at the top 5 defenders from the Mumbai Leg of Pro Kabaddi 2019.

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#5 Sumit (UP Yoddha)

Sumit picked up the maiden High 5 of his PKL career.

The young and talented corner defender Sumit got an opportunity in the UP Yoddha playing seven and he did not let down the expectations of team management.

He notched up 8 tackle points from two matches at Mumbai. In the match against hosts U Mumba, Sumit picked up a High 5, which was the maiden High 5 of his career. He successfully picked up 6 tackle points from a total of 7 tackles.

UP Yoddha beat the hosts 27-23, riding on Sumit's fantastic defensive display. Sumit tackled the Mumba raiders with his ankle holds. He picked two tackle points against the Telugu Titans as the match finished on a 20-20 tie.

#4 Baldev Singh (Bengal Warriors)

Baldev Singh seems to be dangerous at his right corner position.

Bengal Warriors' Baldev Singh picked up 6 defense points against Jaipur Pink Panthers but however, it did not suffice as his team lost to the Jaipur Pink Panthers 25-27. In the next game, he picked up 3 tackle points as the Bengal Warriors defeated Puneri Paltan by 20 points (43-23).

Aggressive on the mat, Baldev's back holds and chain tackles are glorious to watch. Bengal Warriors' right-corner is certainly proving to be a vital player for his team.

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#3 Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba)

Fazel Atrachali has been rock solid for Patna

'Sultan' Fazel Atarchali picked up 10 tackle points from four matches of the Mumbai leg. Additionally, he finished with an average of 2.33 tackle points per match. With body blocks his trademark move, Fazel picked up 4 tackle points against Puneri Paltan as U Mumba won that match 33-23.

U Mumba lost to Bengaluru Bulls (26-30) and UP Yoddha (23-27), where Fazel scored only 2 points and 1 point respectively. Fazel then went on to pick 2 tackle points against Gujarat Fortunegiants as U Mumba beat them 32-20.

#2 Sandeep Dhull (Jaipur Pink Panthers)

Sandeep Dhull was outstanding in the Mumbai leg.

Left corner Sandeep Dhull was in a terrific form in Mumbai leg as he notched up two consecutive High 5s to his name. Sandeep scored 14 tackle points in two matches he played at Mumbai.

Riding on his 8 tackle points, Jaipur Pink Panthers clinched a win against the Bengal Warriors (27-25). In the next match, he notched up 6 tackle points and owing to his stellar performance, Panthers claimed a comfortable 37-21 win.

Sandeep Dhull is a specialist in diving thigh holds from the left corner position. He can also execute ankle holds which are glorious to watch.

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#1 Surinder Singh (U Mumba)

Surinder Singh (second from the right) is the top defender of Mumbai leg.

Surinder Singh became finished as the most successful defender of the Mumbai leg. He notched up 15 tackle points from four matches at an average of 3.16 per game.

Surender's 4 tackle points helped U Mumba to win the Maharashtrian Derby against Puneri Paltan 33-23 before, in the next match, he scored 2 points even as U Mumba lost to Bengaluru Bulls 26-30.

Against UP Yoddha, his 4-point effort could not save U Mumba from a 23-27 defeat. Yet, soon enough, Surinder scored a High 5 against Gujarat Fortunegiants and made sure his team ended their home leg with a win, by a 32-20 margin.

Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Surinder has a unique skill set with a perfect mix of waist holds, dives, body blocks, and dashes from the right cover position and will be crucial to U Mumba's chances moving forward.