Defending is considered to be a selfless act in sports, especially in Kabaddi. Defenders have to do the dirty job and for all the hard work they put in, the adulation defenders receive is nowhere close to what the raiders enjoy.
Since Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 is just around the corner, it’s only fair that we look at five of the best defenders from the league. Defenders who not only played well but were instrumental in their team’s performances through the previous 4 seasons.
#1 Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Puneri Paltan)
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This 42-year-old defender played for Bengaluru Bulls and Telegu Titans before finally winning the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 4 with the Patna Pirates. A talented defender, he has accumulated 151 tackle points in 59 games at an average of 2.56 TP per game.
He has made 134 successful tackles and also has 10 high 5’s under his belt. This year Dharmaraj will gear up for the Puneri Paltan and will be looking to provide solidity to their defensive lineup.
#2 Ravinder Pahal (Bengaluru Bulls)
Ravinder Pahal played for Dabang Delhi in the first 3 seasons and won the best defender award in season 2. Pahal was a consistent performer and instantly became a crowd favourite among the Dabang Delhi faithful.
He wasn't at his best in season three and played for the Puneri Paltan in the last season, where he proved why he is one of the most promising defenders in the competition. In the 48 matches that he has played, he has gathered 13 high 5’s and 152 tackle points at an average of 3.17 points per game.
The former Dabang Delhi captain will represent the Bengaluru Bulls and will look to take the team all the way to the finals this year.
#3 Sandeep Narwal (Puneri Paltan)
In Season 3, Patna Pirates were undoubtedly the best team in the league. What made their success even more special was the fact that they beat defending champions U Mumba - a team littered with national and international champions - twice in the tournament. And they have to thank young Sandeep Narwal for that.
Sandeep won the award for the best defender that season. The 24-year-old is arguably the most consistent and impactful defender in the league. He was handed the responsibility of being the main defender for the Pirates for 3 seasons, which he fulfilled admirably.
Narwal goes about his job in immaculate fashion, garnering a massive 161 tackle points and 13 high 5’s. He played for Telegu Titans last year and helped the team finish third with his impressive defensive performances. Puneri Paltan acquired him in the auction this season.
#4 Mohit Chillar (Team Haryana)
Mohit Chillar was one of the key players for the dominant U Mumba side that reached three consecutive finals in the first three seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, winning the title in Season two. He played for a relatively weak Bengaluru Bulls side last year but individually speaking, the right corner had a blistering season.
With 44 successful tackles to his name, he was omnipresent on the mat and showed the kabaddi world why the Bulls were right to pay Rs. 53 lakhs for his services. In all the 57 matches that he has played, he has 170 tackle points to his name at an average of 2.98 points per game.
The 23-year-old is a livewire on the mat with 15 High 5’s to his name. He will hope to have an even better season for Team Haryana this year.
#5 Manjeet Chillar (Jaipur Pink Panthers)
Manjeet Chhillar was awarded the best defender in Season 1 of the PKL, playing for the Bengaluru Bulls. He also won the most valuable player award in Season 2 with the Bulls before joining Puneri Paltan, where he has spent the last two seasons.
In season 3, the Puneri Paltan might not have reached the semi-finals had it not been for Manjeet’s heroics, The most interesting aspect about Manjeet’s defending is the versatility, at times you will find him at the left corner, at times on the right.
Sometimes he even deploys himself in a central cover position. Manjeet Chillar is ready to do it all for the team.
This Arjuna Awardee has an all-round game but it is his defensive skill that makes him one of the best players in the league. He has the most number of tackle points in the league with 196 in 59 matches at an average of 3.32 tackle points per game and has also accumulated an impressive 16 High 5’s.
He will play for Jaipur Pink Panthers this season.
