The fifth season of the Pro Kabaddi League is all set to start on July 28 and will feature a total of 12 teams this time around. This edition will be bigger and better than ever, with an exciting new format that sees the teams divided into two zones of six each facing off in almost 140 matches spread across three months.
Out of the eight existing teams, three have won the competition in its previous four editions. The Jaipur Pink Panthers won the inaugural one, season two by U Mumba and the next two by the Patna Pirates. In this piece, let’s rewind the clock and take a look at which team has been the most successful across the previous four seasons and amassed the most number of wins.
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#5 Bengaluru Bulls (25)
The side from Karnataka had a great run in the opening two seasons, making it to the semifinals after finishing third in the league stage in Season 1 and 2. However, disaster ensued in the third as they could only manage two victories and in the last one, they won five league games to finish in 6th place.
This season, they will look to reach the playoffs and have the team for it as well. They have two star raiders in the form of Rohit Kumar and Ajay, a fine all-rounder in the form of Ashish Kumar and veteran defender Ravinder Pahal.
Also read: Bengaluru Bulls team players for Pro Kabaddi 2017, Season 5
#4 Telugu Titans (30)
The Men in Yellow have blown hot and cold over the last four seasons – producing some magical moments on the mat as well as crumbling under pressure in close encounters. In the first season and third seasons, they failed to make the semifinals while in the other two, they recorded excellent finishes after finishing second in the standings.
In season five, they will once again be led by star raider and the poster boy of Indian kabaddi Rahul Chaudhuri. They will also have other star men on the mat – in the form of former India captain and Arjuna awardee Rakesh Kumar, defender Rohit Rana and raider Nilesh Salunke.
Also read: Telugu Titans Team Players for Pro Kabaddi 2017, Season 5
#3 Jaipur Pink Panthers (31)
The champions from Season 1 are in third place on this list. They were on a roll in the inaugural edition – winning 10 of their 14 league games and subsequently defeating U Mumba in the final. They also reached the playoffs in Season 2 and 4, finishing runners-up in the last campaign.
This season, they are genuine title contenders – given their wealth of experience and talent. They will be led by mercurial all-rounder Manjeet Chhillar and with him on the mat will be Navneet Gautam, Jasvir Singh and Somvir Shekhar, who have tonnes of experience under their belts.
Also read: Jaipur Pink Panthers Team Players for Pro Kabaddi 2017, Season 5
#2 Patna Pirates (39)
They are the double defending champions going into Season 5 and still feature in second place on this list. They have been one of the most successful teams in Pro Kabaddi history, having reached the playoffs on all four occasions and lifting the trophy twice.
Once again, they will have raiding sensation Pardeep Narwal at their disposal, having been retained ahead of the Season 5 auction. He will be backed up by the versatile raider Monu Goyat and in defence, the Pirates have two powerhouses in Vishal Mane and Sachin Shingade.
Also read: Patna Pirates Team Players for Pro Kabaddi 2017, Season 5
#1 U Mumba (43)
The side from Mumbai feature on top of the list, having reached the finals in the first three seasons and lifting the trophy in Season 2. Their lineup in that campaign was probably the best the league has ever seen, featuring the likes of Anup Kumar, Mohit Chhillar, Surender Nada, Jeeva Kumar and Rishank Devadiga.
In the latest edition, they will once again be led by Captain Cool Anup Kumar, who will have a fine raiding partner in Kashiling Adake. Joginder Narwal, Shabeer Bapu, Kuldeep Singh and Hadi Oshtorak are all tried-and-tested names and give the team a very solid and compact look.
Also read: U Mumba team players for Pro Kabaddi 2017, Season 5
