Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: Top 5 raiders from the Ranchi leg

#2 Monu Goyat (Patna Pirates)

Monu Goyat has been priceless for the Pirates

If you were to look at the top raiders in Season 5 of the PKL, you wouldn't be surprised to see Pardeep Narwal top of the charts. The man in second place though is not Rahul Chaudhari or Rohit Kumar, but Monu Goyat, his Patna teammate.

The dynamic duo of Pardeep and Monu have been a key reason why the Pirates have enjoyed much success thus far despite their defence not exactly covering themselves in glory.

Monu Goyat has been brilliant to watch; he goes about his work in such a subdued manner, completely under the radar with Pardeep hogging all the attention. He doesn't make much of a fuss, no extravagant celebrations when he picks up points, just goes about his business quietly and effectively. His running hand touch on the opponent's right corner has been almost unguardable. His brilliance has allowed Pardeep to take more risks and wreak more havoc, safe in the knowledge that he can be quickly revived by Monu.

He finished with 54 points from the home leg in his six matches, averaging nine points a game. No other second raider has done this well in support of a lead raider for any other team. Twice this week, he even outscored Pardeep - against the Bengaluru Bulls and Tamil Thalaivas - where he was the main man. The game against the Thalaivas in particular, the Pirates could attribute their win more to Monu as the Thalaivas defence had contained the threat of Pardeep Narwal.

It's telling that the only game that the Pirates lost in their entire home leg was the game where Monu Goyat picked up his least points of the lot. Last night against the Yoddha, he had just four, and the Pirates went on to lose their only home game after having won all five previously.