Pro Kabaddi 2019: Top 5 defenders of the tournament before the playoffs

#4 Nitesh Kumar, U.P. Yoddha - 70 tackle points

Nitesh Kumar's form peaked as the season progressed

Matches - 22, Tackle Points - 70, Average Tackle Points - 3.18, High 5s - 5

The captain of U.P. Yoddha, Nitesh Kumar played at the right corner position in the defence of his team. Though Kumar could not perform well in the initial matches, he started troubling the raiders in the second half of the tournament.

His consistent performances in the latter half of PKL 2019 ensured that he occupies the fourth spot on the 'Most Tackle Points' list on culmination of the league phase. His average of 3.18 tackle points per match proves his worth and his 5 High 5s showcase his consistency. If U.P. Yoddha want to win the title, he needs to lead from the front in the playoffs.

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#3 Sumit, U.P. Yoddha - 72 tackle points

Sumit showed no signs of pressure in his debut season

Matches - 21, Tackle Points - 72, Average Tackle Points/Match - 3.43, High 5s - 6

The most impressive debutant of this edition of Pro Kabaddi League is U.P. Yoddha's left corner defender, Sumit. The youngster has formed a lethal combination with the skipper, Nitesh Kumar as they have decimated each and every raiding unit in PKL 2019.

Their success has been one of the key reasons behind U.P. Yoddha's third-place finish on the points table. With 6 High 5s in 21 fixtures, Sumit proved himself as a match-winner for U.P. Yoddha while his 2 Super Tackles indicate how dangerous he can be in a Super Tackle situation.