The Jaipur Pink Panthers, U Mumba and Patna Pirates (2), share between them four well deserved titles in the Pro Kabaddi League. In a team sport, some individuals are bound to rise above their peers. Because this is the best 7, not merely based on the last season but all four seasons, it makes this list an extremely debatable one and we welcome that.
However, the fact remains that some players have taken the league by the scruff of the neck and made it their own. Let’s take a look at Pro Kabaddi All Star 7.
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Anup Kumar
Arguably, the calmest kabaddi player on the mat, Anup Kumar didn’t begin playing the sport to become famous. It’s evident from his demeanour under the bright lights. The crab mentality eludes Kumar which makes him an indispensable asset to this stellar 7.
The crabs in the bucket philosophy states that "if I can't have it, neither can you." Anup flips this adage to "if I can't have it, you definitely can”. A refreshing approach which ensures every player in his team is presented with the ideal environment to perform at the optimum level. Anup Kumar will no doubt captain this ultra-talented side.
Rahul Chaudhari
The Telugu Titans finished fourth last time – a pretty impressive feat considering they lacked the experience that most other teams possessed in the league. It’s safe to say kabaddi is a team sport but one man has been carrying the yellow brigade on his wide shoulders – Rahul Chaudhari.
The most successful raider in the league has 482 raid points to his name. The numbers don’t lie. One can only wonder the bidding war that could have possibly ensued, If Chaudhari was part of the auction. Speed, strength and stamina; Chaudhari possesses them all and could well be the best kabaddi player in the world right now.
Deepak Niwas Hooda
Arguably the quickest player on a kabaddi mat, it’s hard to box Hooda into a type. Every time the opposition feels like they have him found out, he steps up his game – versatility and unpredictability being the key. A player who was considered as part of the herd, Deepak’s rise to the cream of the crop has been nothing short of meteoric.
Since season 1, Hooda was always in the fray, putting in above average performances. But he’s now in a situation where his exploits will always be compared with the best of the best in the league. This pressure though doesn’t seem to faze him one bit. Every time he steps up to raid, that lightning fast running hand touch of his does the talking. No one does it better than him.
Ajay Thakur
It’s easy to describe Ajay Thakur’s season 4 performance as below par. The lanky attacker could muster just 63 raid points. Season 3 was no better wherein he picked up a measly 52 points. Set aside the statistics for a minute and you see a player who’s easily capable of winning a kabaddi match by himself. His skills were on display at a global pedestal at the recent World Cup.
He was by far the best player of the tournament, overshadowing the likes of Pardeep and Rahul. Come to think of it, Thakur is a player you expect to score a century of points every season. He might not top the charts but you can ignore Thakur at your own peril. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to see him catapult himself above his peers on this list, come season 5. Picking him over Pardeep might be an unpopular choice. The both of them are a rare breed of players who are absolutely fearless on the mat.
Fazel Atrachali
The Iranian may well be the best defender in the world at this point in time. If you were picking a team, picking Fazel Atrachali is a no brainer. There isn’t a more dependable right corner in the league than him. It’s evident when you look at how the opposition sets up their attack when he’s on the mat.
Attempting to get a point off Atrachali is a high risk move which no raider is willing to take. 9/10 times, the attacker comes out second best. A raider who tries a touch on the Iranian, must deploy his entire concentration on a single defender. It puts the raider in an extremely vulnerable situation. He has no idea about the position of the other 6. Atrachali has this innate ability to coerce raiders into making mistakes.
Mohit Chhillar
“The price is something I have no control over and I am happy with whatever I have got”, said the defender. Mohit Chhillar’s price tag this season has made more news than his abilities. Which shouldn’t be the case. Yes, he went for a bargain. Yes, he was right to assume he deserved a better amount. But his skills on the mat don’t lie.
Chhillar has an amazing range of tackles which he puts to impeccable use. Not a one trick pony, his versatility makes him one of the best defenders in the league. His ability to out-think the raider is second to none. As a result, in an attempt to outfox him, raiders end up inflicting damage upon themselves.
There have been times when he hasn’t even had to plunge into a tackle for a point. Such is the respect he commands. Mind you, he’ still only 23.
Manjeet Chhillar
Not one to mince his words, Manjeet strongly feels that a captain of a kabaddi team ought to be an all-rounder. There are good reasons to believe why he might be right. The best all-rounder in the league, very few have managed to replicate his presence as a leader and performer on the mat. His proactive approach is infectious and he makes sure it rubs off on all his teammates.
Last week he told us, “I pray before every match, for the success of my team but most importantly I pray that no player from the opposition and my team gets hurt”. He might come across as a man who shows no mercy on the mat but Manjeet has his priorities right. His approach on the mat – ruthless. His intentions? All for the love of the game.
