Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Best playing 7 from Delhi leg

The Delhi leg of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 ended with the home team Dabang Delhi losing all their home matches and in the process, becoming the first team to do so this season.

Their poor form means they have now lost 13 matches, the most by any team in PKL 5. Delhi also suffered a 29-point defeat against UP Yoddha which was the biggest defeat by any team in the latest edition.

The Delhi leg features two upcoming corners of the league, an emerging cover and the best cover defender of PKL 5, a raider performing miracles, and two superstar raiders leading by example.

Satpal (Right corner)

Right corner Satpal was the only bright spark in a dismal showing from Dabang Delhi. Satpal scored 17 tackle points from 4 matches at an impressive average of 4.25 tackle points per match. He also became the first Delhi player to score a High 5 after seven matches, scoring six tackle points against the Haryana Steelers.

He now has scored 23 tackle points in only eight matches and is only two points behind Delhi’s top defender Sunil, who has played nine matches more. Satpal possesses impressive strength and strong grip which makes it difficult for any raider to escape.

Ajay Thakur (Right-in)

The raider led from the front for the Tamil Thalaivas in both his side's clashes at the Thyagaraj Stadium, winning both through his miraculous last raids. He scored 21 raid points in two matches, including a Super 10 against Bengal Warriors.

His heroics helped the Thalaivas win back-to-back matches for the first time in PKL 5 and in a good position to challenge for the play-offs going into their home leg.

Surjeet (Right cover)

Surjeet: Bengal Warriors captain Surjeet continued to lead from the front scoring 2 High 5s in as many matches against Bengaluru Bulls and Tamil Thalaivas. Surjeet scored 52.63% tackle points that Bengal managed in the 2 matches at the Thyagaraj stadium. The Services defender now has 6 High 5s only Surender Nada has more in PKL 5. He is 3rd in the defender leaderboard with 57 tackle points. His 57 tackle points is comfortably the best by a cover defender in PKL 5.

Nitin Tomar (Centre)

The UP Yoddha captain continued his super form, scoring his sixth Super 10 of PKL 5 with 14 raid points against Dabang Delhi. His brilliant performance meant that the Yoddha, after their opening two matches, won back-to-back games for the first time.

Tomar’s brilliant performances helped UP inflict a 29-point defeat on Delhi, which is the biggest defeat of PKL 5. Tomar has now scored four Super 10s in his last four matches and has risen to third place on the raiders leaderboard with 140 raid points.

Rakesh Singh Kumar (Left cover)

Experienced left cover “Raka” produced a superb performance for Haryana, scoring his first High 5 of PKL 5 with 7 tackle points against Dabang Delhi.

The 26-year-old’s well-timed blocks and thigh holds regularly foiled the Delhi raiders' plans. Rakesh Singh’s performance is good news for Haryana as it will reduce the dependence on their corners to send the opposition raiders off court.

Rahul Chaudhari (left-in)

The “Raid Machine” returned to form, scoring 32 raid points in two matches at the Thyagaraj Stadium. He scored 17 raid points against the Jaipur Pink Panthers, which was his first Super 10 after seven matches.

This was the first time in PKL 5 that Rahul scored back-to-back Super 10s. Rahul’s brilliant performances helped the Titans register their first set of consecutive wins this season and helped them stay in contention for a play-off spot.

Vishal Bhardwaj (Left Corner)

The young left corner led the Titans defence, scoring nine tackle points in two matches, including a High 5 against the Jaipur Pink Panthers which was his fifth High 5 in PKL 5.

His brilliant performances have helped him become the top defender this season with 62 tackle points. Vishal led his side's charge, using his trademark vice like ankle holds. With Titans facing three must-win matches they will hope Vishal continues his fine form.