Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5 : Patna Pirates' predicted starting line up

The champions of season 3 and 4, in the eyes of the critics, Patna Pirates have nothing more to prove. They’ve been there, done that -- twice -- which makes their feat all the more special. But knowing the ethos on which this side is built on, every single player will be keen to repeat history for the third time in a row.

By signing talented players who have never laid their hands on the Pro Kabaddi trophy, the management ensured hunger and motivation to win wouldn’t be an issue. On that note, let’s take a look at their predicted starting line-up.

#1 Pardeep Narwal

There are absolutely no prizes for guessing the first name on this line-up. Raider supreme, Pardeep Narwal will once again be the centre of attraction, his teammates and fans will be eager to see him run riot on the mat.

On the surface, he looks extremely calm and detached but the fact is Pardeep will be eager to upstage Rahul Chaudhari in season 5 and will push Rahul at every step of the way.

#2 Vishal Mane

Vishal will be raring to go after a sub par season 4

Patna’s new recruit, Vishal Mane has had a topsy-turvy experience in the Pro Kabaddi League. What started off as a stellar outing with U Mumba soon turned into despair at Bengal Warriors. Now at Patna Pirates, Mane finally has a chance to cement his place among the league’s elite defenders.

He will be leading the side’s defence and will be raring to go after a sub-par season 4. Mane’s successful stint at U Mumba under Anup Kumar will be a priceless experience that he will use to his advantage.

#3 Sandeep

In Season 4, we were treated to some amazing corner defending from a young man named Sandeep Dhull at Telugu Titans. Fast forward to season 5 and now we may have the opportunity to witness another young gun, another Sandeep working his way up to the top. Born in 1998, left corner, Sandeep will be one of the youngest players around in the league who will in all probability be a starter for Patna Pirates. If he can remain focused, there’s no telling the heights he can reach.

#4 Monu Goyat

At Patna, Monu will have to step up his game

With 59 points to his name in season 4, former Bengal Warriors raider, Monu Goyat impressed in his very first full-fledged season. His effortless technique was there for everyone to see. Monu’s casual approach catches the opposition off guard because his ability to switch tempo is second to none. At Patna, he will have to step up his game and ensure he shares the burden of scoring raid points with Pardeep Narwal.

#5 Mohammad Maghsoudulu

Another Iranian who has a great chance to break into the starting seven is Mohammad Maghsoudlou. The all-rounder plied his trade for Telugu Titans last season. With 18 matches under his belt, Mohammad operates primarily as a raider but this time around, he’ll have to double up as a defender too as and when the situation demands. If he stays on point, he might be the next Iranian to break out in the league.

#6 Sachin Shingade

A resolute Sachin will add steel to Patna's defence

It’s hard to believe that season 4’s fifth best raider ended up second from bottom in the team’s points table. It throws light on the kind of defender that Sachin Shingade is. A no nonsense left cover, Sachin loves slugging it out on the mat. You’d be hard-pressed to find a defender more tenacious than him. A resolute Sachin will add steel to this Patna side and keep things tight.

#7 Satish

The choice of selecting the player who will occupy the final spot in this new look Patna team will be a hard one for the coach. Given the fact that apart from the first four players mentioned in this list, the others are relatively inexperienced in the league. As a result, debutant, Satish could well occupy the right corner position for Patna. Having never been part of the league, he will face a mammoth task to keep up with the pace and intensity, week in week out.