Star Sports Pro Kabaddi is set to take the country by storm once again with the fourth edition of the tournament set to begin on 25 June in Mumbai. Last season, Patna Pirates emerged victorious, edging past U Mumba in the final. However, ahead of Season 4, an auction took place which completely revamped each team. Teams were allowed to retain only 2 players each as the rest of the players went into the auction pool.
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At the end of the auction, each team bears a completely new look, something that adds to the competitiveness of the league. Let's take a look at the teams' transfer activity:
Puneri Paltan
In- 13
Out- 20
The Paltans didn’t enjoy a great start to Star Sports Pro Kabaddi by any means. But, their star has been on the rise and last season’s performance is testament to that as Pune finished third in the league, their best ever performance till date. They will be looking to continue on this upward trajectory in Season 4.
They’ve made some shrewd signings this season, but most importantly they’ve retained two of their most effective players that led them to a semi-final spot last time around. In Manjeet Chhillar and Deepak Niwas Hooda, Pune have arguably two of the most versatile players in the league.
While Manjeet’s exploits have been in the limelight for all to see, Hooda, on the other hand, has slowly, but steadily proved himself as a match-winner. In the 41 matches he’s played, the 22-year-old has amassed 216 raid points and also made 41 successful tackles in the process.
But, their most important transfer by far is former Dabang Delhi captain Ravinder Pahal. The defender has made a mind-boggling 104 successful tackles in just 34 games. He had a sub-par outing in Season 3 and will be raring to go this time around. With Pahal, they also brought in Bengaluru Bulls' Season 2 stalwart Joginder Narwal to shore up their defence even further. Possible finalists? They definitely have the ammunition to go far.
Patna Pirates
In- 14
Out- 22
The hallmark of a great side lies in how they react to success and complement it with even more wins. The Pirates have left no stone unturned to ensure they remain a competitive team in Season 4, post their title-winning exploits in Season 3. They retained the services of youngster and last season's best raider, Pardeep Narwal, along with the highly experienced, Rajesh Mondal. The latter continues to be one of the most effective do or die specialists in the league.
More importantly, Patna have managed to shore up their defence with some immaculate signings. Former U Mumba bulldozer, Fazel Atrachali joins the Pirates on the back of a stellar season 3 performance. The Iranian made an average of three successful tackles per match and almost all of them came when his team had their backs against the walls.
The Pirates have also roped in former Bengal Warriors defender, Bajirao Hodage - the quintessential team player that Patna will rely on in dire situations. Lastly, with Dharmaraj Cheralathan on board, the defending champions have an able leader to keep them calm in tense situations. The veteran continues to prove that age is merely a number and with the captain's armband this time, the onus will be on him to lead his team to further success.
Bengal Warriors
In- 12
Out- 16
When the Warriors made the semi-finals last time, they managed to draw quite a few eyeballs. Ahead of the tournament, nobody expected them to qualify for the knockout stage, but they defied all odds to make their maiden appearance in the semis, where their inexperience proved costly and they were eventually found wanting. With the signings they've made this time around, they are surely in the running for the semis spot, if not for the title.
They wisely picked up Korean Jang Kun Lee and raider Mahendra Rajput in the auction - two of their most effective raiders till date. The former is a crowd favourite and the latter has been a towering menace for opposition teams with his reach and flexibility. Captain Nilesh Shinde was retained keeping in mind his unflappable approach to the game. The Warriors also snapped up former Bulls raider, Surjeet Narwal, who had a sensational first season with Dabang Delhi. Despite playing only 26 matches in the league, he’s amassed 153 raid points.
However, the most astute signing made by them ahead of Season 4 has been former U Mumba star, Vishal Mane. The Maharashtrian will play in the blue jersey this year and provide some much needed defensive stability to this Warriors side. His ability to read the game is second to none. While he can be a bit impulsive at times, he makes up for it by producing some immaculate team tackles.
Bengal look a more balanced side this time around and will aim to go one step further.
Telugu Titans
In- 18
Out- 16
The Titans have been extremely unlucky over the past three seasons. When it matters the most, they’ve succumbed to pressure owing to an extremely young side. Captain Rahul Chaudari’s retention was a no brainer and alongside Sukesh Hegde, they form, arguably, the most potent raiding partnership in the tournament.
If that wasn’t enough to prove their quality, they managed to snap up Sandeep Narwal, one of the best all-rounders in the league. The 23-year-old has been one of the finds of the tournament and is known to mould his game based on the team's needs. A bustling raider earlier in his career, he was a defensive rock for the Pirates during their title-winning season. Sandeep has secured 119 defence points in forty-six matches and added 147 raid points as well in this process.
With Sandeep Dhull and Jasmer Singh Gulia in their ranks as well, the team seems well balanced defensively and if their raiders manage to fire, there is no doubt that they will be the team to beat this season.
U Mumba
In-12
Out-16
Finalists in every single season, U Mumba wouldn’t have been too happy with the auction proceedings. On paper, at least, they look a shadow of their former selves. As teams clamoured to get their hands on the U Mumba players, the team management managed to buy back 3 of their stars apart from retaining Anup Kumar and Rishank Devadiga.
The Indian national kabaddi team captain has led U Mumba admirably in the previous 3 editions and will be looking to carry his team to success in the fourth edition as well. By retaining Rishank, U Mumba have with them Season 3’s second most successful raider, statistically. He scored a massive 106 points last time and will look to build upon his good form under Anup's tutelage.
The orange army have also secured the services of Rakesh Kumar, who has managed to successfully transform himself into an all-rounder. Defensively, this squad looks weak compared to previous seasons. As Mohit Chhillar, Fazel Atrachali and Surender Nada left for pastures anew, they managed to buy back Jeeva Kumar, who will have to shoulder the bulk of the team’s defensive responsibilities.
The new faces include two former Patna Pirates players – raider, Gurvinder Singh and defender, Sunil Kumar. The signing of defender Surjeet from Puneri Paltan could be the wild card coach Bhaskaran Edachery was so eager to bring to his team.
While it’s too soon to predict, this U Mumba team will have to put in a Herculean effort to ensure they’re in the fray for a semi-final spot this time around. With coach Bhaskaran and captain Anup at the helm, one can never rule them out.
Jaipur Pink Panthers
In- 12
Out - 13
Season one champions, Jaipur have been on the downfall ever since their victory in the inaugural edition. Abhishek Bachchan’s team finished in sixth position last season. They have retained their star all-rounder Rajesh Narwal and raider Jasvir Singh while managing to buy back Rohit Rana, Ran Singh and Wei Yang ensuring the nucleus of the team remains intact.
A very important addition for the team this year is former U Mumba raider Shabeer Bapu. The raider from Kerala had a stellar season two and his performances led to Anup Kumar calling him the best raider in the country. Niggling injuries prevented him from carrying on this form into Season 3. His touch and roll over technique is second to none. When Shabeer is in the zone, he is one of the best raiders around. It will be up to coach Kasinathan Baskaran to get the best out of him.
The Pink Panthers have also added two players from the Services squad - Ajay Kumar and Jawahar. This squad looks relatively different to the previous three seasons. It could bode well for them in terms of unpredictably, when they take to the mat.
Dabang Delhi
In- 17
Out- 21
The team from the capital finished last in Season 3, managing just a solitary win. As expected, they’ve made a host of changes, bringing in seventeen players to the squad. They chose to retain their two bright spots from last season – raiders Kashiling Adake and Selvamani K. The former made sure he gives it his all by amassing 75 raid points last time around and has deservedly been named captain of the team for the upcoming season. Unfortunately for him, his teammates couldn’t keep up.
In Selvamani, Delhi have a highly underrated player whose long strides and reach keep the opposition defenders on their toes. The 24-year-old was sparingly used last season, but that might not be the case this time. They’ve also brought in former Patna raider, Deepak Narwal. The 20-year-old is a welcome addition and will add dynamism to this Delhi team.
One of their biggest buys this season is former Telugu Titans all-rounder, Meraj Sheykh. The boisterous Iranian has been one of the best foreigners in the history of the tournament having won 30 defence points and 56 raid points.
Things look bright for Dabang Delhi ahead of the season. Rest assured, they won’t be finishing last this time.
Bengaluru Bulls
In- 14
Out-17
The Bengaluru Bulls were one of the most active teams at the auction. Having fallen from grace in the last edition, the Bulls completely revamped their squad and snapped up the core of U Mumba’s defence - Mohit Chhillar and Surender Nada, at the auction. The former has now become the most expensive player after the Bulls paid Rs. 53 lakhs for his services. By securing Surender, the Bulls have ensured their corners are Fort Knox-like.
However, what would excite the Bengaluru faithful the most is the presence of last season's MVP Rohit Kumar in the side. The Services raider shocked everyone with stupendous performances with Patna in his debut season.
He’s played only twelve matches but has already amassed a massive 102 raid points to his name. Former Telugu Titans raider Rohit Baliyan will also be donning the Bulls' colours as they look to re-establish themselves as one of the strongest teams at the tournament.
The trophy is up for grabs and Bengaluru Bulls look determined to get their hands on it.
