Nilesh Shinde (Bengal Warriors)
Bengal Warriors went through to the semi-final for the first time ever after winning one out of their two matches in Mumbai. Captain Nilesh Shinde led by example, amassing 10 tackle points out of which seven came in a 26-22 win against Bengaluru Bulls. The experienced campaigner was a rock at the back and gave the Bulls raiders a tough time with his precise ankle holds.
Deepak Niwas Hooda (Puneri Paltan)
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Previously playing in the shadows of Manjeet Chhillar and Ajay Thakur, the youngster Deepak Hooda came into his own in Mumbai as he scored 19 points in two matches. He sealed the 3rd spot for his team by amassing 13 points in a 43-19 thrashing of fellow top 4 rivals Bengal Warriors. Every raid he went into had the opponents shaking in their boots - such was the terror the 21-year-old put into the Warriors side.
Surjeet (Puneri Paltan)
The right cover gave a defensive masterclass against Bengal Warriors by amassing as many as nine points (eight in defence). The 25-year-old Surjeet provided Deepak Hooda with the perfect platform to go on his raids, and it was that combination to which the Warriors had no answer. On an unusual off day for Manjeet Chhillar, Surjeet stepped up and delivered to ensure the Paltan will make their first semi-final appearance in the tournament's history.
Rahul Chaudhari (Telugu Titans)
The Telugu Titans captain failed to get his team through to the knockout stages as they crashed to a 22-38 defeat to U Mumba after beating the then table toppers Patna Pirates 42-41. But Rahul Chaudhari was immense in both matches as he gathered 12 points against the defending champions and 14 against the Pirates. He was the architect behind Pirates' 2nd defeat of the season, which doomed them to second spot.
