Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: U Mumba's predicted starting lineup

Come July 28^th, one of the biggest quandaries U Mumba coach, Bhaskaran will face is selecting his starting seven. This will be the third consecutive season where he’ll be entrusted with the responsibility of picking his team from scratch – a task that every coach looks forward to but a task that could potentially decide how his team performs in the initial stages of the prolonged tournament.

U Mumba will begin their campaign against Puneri Paltan in Hyderabad on the very first day of season 5. Let’s take a look at their predicted first seven.

#1 Anup Kumar

Unless calamity ensues, Anup Kumar will lead this side for every single match this season. Critics will begin to doubt his effectiveness over a three-month long competition and their apprehensions hold water. But the fact is, no other side possess a captain with such experience under his belt. Kumar who thrives under pressure will be relishing the challenge of leading this depleted U Mumba squad.

If he can get this team into the playoffs, Kumar would have experienced his best season ever.

#2 Kashiling Adake

Kashiling will be keen to set things straight

Having experienced a forgettable season 4 during which his former side, Dabang Delhi finished second from the bottom, Adake will be itching to set things right. Despite his team's horrendous outing, he still managed to pick up 78 raid points, emphasising that he isn’t fazed when the going gets tough.

This time around, he’ll be leading the raiding department at U Mumba – a role he’s mastered during his time at Delhi.

#3 Shabeer Bapu

Shabeer Bapu is back in U Mumba colours

“He also defends well. But we will use him as a raider, not a defender. We have enough defenders in the team,” said Anup Kumar speaking about Shabeer. Putting behind him an indifferent season 4 when he operated as a defender for Jaipur Pink Panthers, Shabeer will be back to what he does best – raiding.

His endurance level could, however, pose a challenge if he’s played regularly but there is no doubt that Bapu will definitely be part of U Mumbai’s starting seven. There’re not many players you’d find in the league, technically better than him.

#4 Nitin Madane

Nitin will make hay when the sun shines

Giving Kashiling and Shabeer company will be the underrated Nitin Madane. Coach, Bhaskaran is known for having a great eye for talent and in picking up Madane at the auctions, he pulled off a masterstroke.

Madane who is an out and out raider, scored an impressive 51 raid points last time around for the Bengal Warriors and will add some much-needed depth to Mumbai’s attack. He also ensures the burden of responsibility doesn’t fall on one raider alone – the type of player who makes hay while the sun shines.

#5 Joginder Narwal

A completely new set of defenders will take to the mat for U Mumba this season. The experienced left corner, Joginder Narwal will be tasked with the challenge of keeping things intact at the back. He enjoyed an extremely fruitful season last time around, picking up 34 tackle points.

The veteran, however, will have to take his game a notch higher this season if Mumbai are to have a chance of lifting the trophy. Time and again Joginder has displayed his ability to stifle raiders and this time will be no different. A sure shot starter.

#6 Hadi Oshtorak

Hadi will have his task cut out

Part of a title winning Patna team in season 4, Hadi produced some match winning performances at the fag end of the season, replacing captain Dharmaraj. Not many expected him to shine on such short notice, but he did.

It was always going to be tough to find a replacement for Fazel at U Mumba but in Hadi, they have an extremely aggressive and athletic all-rounder who can defend extremely well. With solid options few and far between, Oshtorak will have his task cut out and will be keen to cement his position as a defender in the starting seven.

#7 Kuldeep Singh

He’s viewed as an all-rounder but 65% of Kuldeep Singh’s points have come from him executing a tackle. Anup will use him primarily as a defender, a role he performed with discipline at Patna last time around. Singh was the eleventh best defender last season but has the capability and the skills to break into the top five.

Kuldeep will experience multiple busy days on the mat. It will be intriguing to see how he performs in tricky scenarios. Nonetheless, he will be an out and out starter in Anup’s team, having played an integral role for his former side, Patna.